Shanghai Noon
Some days it must seem that I will only review the worst films of all times. While that's what I like, occasionally I prove that I'm not
Mr Cranky and review something that I liked.
That day has come.
Let's get the ratings out of the way first, neh?
Gore: 0
Schmaltz: 4
Character Development: Sine Curve
Sturgeon Principle: Falls in the middle 90th percentile.
You don't go to see a Jackie Chan film for the plot-line. Which is good -- technically this film has one, which can be boiled down to 'Buddy Movie'. You know, the kind of film where two people from different worlds -- in this case literally -- rub each other the wrong way, discover themselves and gain a grudging respect for each other's ways? Kinda what happens here. Don't watch it for that, watch it for what you really came to see...
There are some in this film, but unfortunately the quantity isn't quite up to Chan's usual... possibly because of his need to share the stage with Not-Jackie-Chan, his co-star. Not-Jackie-Chan is at least much more tolerable than Chris Rock, but ultimately I found myself wishing that Not-Jackie-Chan would clear the screen so that Jackie Chan could do a little more of that magic that he weaves.
The character development is so standard for a Buddy Movie that from the first strains of the opening theme, you know more or less precisely how it's going to go. The movie sends absolutely no twists and turns of plot; you will not find yourself surprised once. Er... didn't I say that I liked this film?
Yes. Yes I did. Because in spite of all of this, convention is used in a good way. There's a reason that we have cliches... it's because for good or for bad, Strong Stories lodge themselves in our cultural subconscious. You have here a strong Buddy Film with a boatload of humour that comes faster than a pre-Spaceballs Mel Brookes flick, and to boot, a good smattering of martial arts to enjoy. If you're searching for a plot, then you've come to the wrong place. If you're looking for light entertainment, however, welcome my friend, to the New World.
I give this film four Hi-Keebas!
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