 |
  
Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready.... |
|
Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready.... |
| Subscribe
About Us Features News Album
Reviews
|
Shanghai Knights Stars: Jackie Chan, Luke Wilson, Fann Wong, Aidan Gillen, Thomas Fischer, Aaron Johnson and Donnie Yen Director: David Dobkin Scriptwriters: Alfred Gough and Miles Millar Touchstone Pictures/Spyglass Entertainment Running Time: 107 minutes Rating: PG 13 It is difficult to put together a comedy, action or romantic team. Sometimes what would seem like a perfect match (Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie in Original Sin) doesn't ignite a spark, while what looks like a last minute thing, goes well. Such is the case with martial arts star, Jackie Chan (The Tuxedo) and Luke Wilson (Behind Enemy Lines.) Their first film, Shanghai Noon, was a better-than-average box-office success, and you just knew there would be a sequel. Well, here it is. It is the 1880's. Chon Wang (Jackie Chan) has been a sheriff for a bit. Roy O'Bannon (Luke Wilson) has gone to New York City where he writes novels starring himself (of course) and acts as a financial "advisor" for Wang's money. Wang finds out his father has been killed and Wang's younger sister (enter Fann Wong) is on the trail of the murderers. Wang goes to New York to get his money only to discover there isn't any. The battling duo goes to London where they find Rathbone (Aidan Gillen), who wants to rule England, and his henchman, Wu Yip (Donnie Yen). Other characters here include a Scotland Yard detective (Thomas Fischer) and the usual street kid (Aaron Johnson). Forget about the plot, the fight scenes are quite good and abound with humor. Chan may be aging, but he can still trounce people who give him trouble using anything at hand. Wait patiently for the big fight between Yen and Chan. Fann Wong gets her licks in, too, but in a comparison with Lucy Liu in Shanghai Knights, Lucy would win. Wilson’s verbal combat tries to be as good as Chan's physical prowess, but doesn't quite match it. Chan has a likeable smile and persona. Wilson is a cynic, yet the two go together in a different way like peanut butter and bananas. You have to take Shanghai Knights with a grain of salt. It was made for martial arts fans, so plot and acting are secondary. The story, what there is of it, takes them from the western United States to London; if you look hard enough, you might even see Jack the Ripper lurking in the background. Who knows? In the scheme of things, there yet may be another sequel. Shanghai Days, anyone? Copyright 2003 Marie Asner
|
|
|
|
