The film, set in Nevada and other parts of the American West in the 19th century, is a juxtaposition of a Western with a kung fu action film with extended martial arts sequences, as reflected by its title, which is a wordplay on the iconic western High Noon. It also has elements of comedy and the "Buddy cop film" genre, featuring two vastly different heroes (a Chinese Imperial Guard and an American Western outlaw) who team up to stop a crime. It is reminiscent of the iconic drama film of the genre from which it is largely inspired: Red Sun, with Charles Bronson (Wanted Cowboy) and Toshiro Mifune (Imperial Samuraï), but in the comedy register.
This is laugh-out-loud funny. You can watch it free if you subscribe to Amazon Prime.
trailer:
Roger Ebert's site concludes a glowing review with this:
Chan, who does his own stunts, creates moments of physical comedy so pure, it's no wonder he has been compared with Buster Keaton. If you see only one martial arts Western this year (and there is probably an excellent chance of that), this is the one.
Empire Online says, "A no-frills, unpretentious mixture of cowboy clichés, martial arts licks, buddy-buddy movies and low comedy, Shanghai Noon is the kind of fun flick that will never generate tons of hype or expectation, but is all the more refreshing for it" and says it "really works".
The sequel Shanghai Knights is also woth watching if you like this first one.
...Jackie Chan certainly has made a name for himself.
ReplyDeleteHe's a delight to watch.
DeleteThis actually sounds like something I would like. I will look for it on Prime.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it's already gone. Bummer. I just watched this last week :(
DeleteI like Owen Wilson. This is a fun film. My favorite Owen Wilson film is Midnight in Paris.
ReplyDeleteI checked, and Midnight in Paris isn't free on services I subscribe to. I'll keep an eye out for it. Thanks for the recommendation!
DeleteLoved this especially Chan - CJ
ReplyDeleteHe's always fun to watch.
DeleteSounds good! Valerie
ReplyDeleteIt was good!
DeleteI like that 'no frills!'
ReplyDeleteIt knows what it wants to do, and it does just that :)
DeleteBeautiful blog
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI left a comment yesterday, and it disappeared. Bl*gger must have swallowed it! Valerie
ReplyDeleteIt must've come in after I approved comments yesterday. It's there now :)
DeleteI remember this film fondly, such fun 😊. Hugs, Jo x
ReplyDeleteIt was new to me :)
Delete