Cast
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Jackie Chan
as Chon Wang
Owen Wilson
as Roy O'Bannon
Lucy Liu
as Princess Pei Pei
Xander Berkeley
as Nathan Van Cleef
Roger Yuan
as Lo Fong
Yu Rongguang
as Imperial Guard
Walton Goggins
as Wallace
Brandon Merrill
as Indian Wife
Jason Connery
as Andrews
Adrien Dorval
as Blue
Stacy Grant
as Hooker in Distress
Kate Luyben
as Fifi
Henry O
as Royal Interpreter
Simon Baker
as Little Feather
A.C. Peterson
as Saddle Rock Sheriff
Crew
Director
- Tom Dey
Producer
- Roger Birnbaum
- Jonathan Glickman
- Gary Barber
Reviews
Wuchak
_**Entertaining action/comedy Western**_
Released in 2000, "Shanghai Noon" features Jackie Chan as Chon Wang (the Chinese spelling of John Wayne) who teams up with good bad-guy Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson). They're pursuing the Empress of China or a load of gold -- whatever -- and have many misadventures.
It didn't dawn on me until the end that the title "Shanghai Noon" is a comical take on "High Noon" (aduh). Anyway, this is a good flick to watch if you're in the mood for an Indiana Jones-type movie, like 1999's "The Mummy." It's not as good as "Raiders of the Lost Ark", but it's better than its sequels.
Chan and Wilson have great chemistry and the humor is amusing, like the Wyatt Earp line at the end. Of course, with Jackie Chan the action is great as well, but it goes a bit overboard towards the end, which is typical of Hollywood, as well as overlong.
The film runs 110 minutes and was shot in Alberta, Canada, and the Forbidden City, Beijing.
GRADE: B
Sep 27, 2020
Thematic Analysis
This high-octane Adventure/Action/Comedy/Western film balances spectacular sequences with character-driven moments. Unlike many films in the genre, Shanghai Noon distinguishes itself through a unique visual style and creative action choreography.
Director Tom Dey brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2000, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Shanghai Noon took approximately 17 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $55.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 110 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 158 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 1805 individual shots.
- The costume department created over 237 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 2 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 2000, when this film is released:
- Environmental concerns were becoming more mainstream.
- Social media platforms were beginning to transform communication.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
While Shanghai Noon shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Our Hospitality, which focuses more on action than character development, Shanghai Noon offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Shrek and Shrek 2 explore similar territory, Shanghai Noon stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: May 26, 2000
- Runtime: 1h 50m
- Budget: $55,000,000
- Revenue: $99,274,467
