Shanghai Knights (2003)

66% of critics liked it
(146 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(315,171 ratings)

East and West team up to take on bad guys in the British Empire in this sequel to the action comedy hit Shanghai Noon. Chon Wang (Jackie Chan), once an Imperial Guard in China, is now the Sheriff of Carson City, NV, while his onetime cohort, former train robber Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson), scrapes… More East and West team up to take on bad guys in the British Empire in this sequel to the action comedy hit Shanghai Noon. Chon Wang (Jackie Chan), once an Imperial Guard in China, is now the Sheriff of Carson City, NV, while his onetime cohort, former train robber Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson), scrapes together a living writing dime novels based on his adventures and waiting tables in New York City. However, when Wang learns that his father was killed by bandits who broke into the Emperor's palace and stole the Imperial Seal, he's determined to bring the criminals to justice. Wang's sister Lin (Fann Wong) has learned that the killers have escaped to London, so Wang travels to England to meet her, with O'Bannon in tow. As Wang and Lin -- whose martial arts skills rival those of her brother -- look for the culprits, they discover that Lord Rathbone (Aidan Gillen), who is looking to shorten his path of succession to the British throne, is in cahoots with Wu Chan (Donnie Yen), the bastard son of the Chinese Emperor's father, who needs the Imperial Seal as part of his plan to win control of the nation. As Wang and Lin try to get to the bottom of Chan's schemes, O'Bannon finds himself infatuated with his pal's sister. While set in Victorian London, Shanghai Knights was actually filmed on locations in the former Czech Republic, which more closely resembled turn-of-the-century England. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 54 min.
Directed By: David Dobkin
Written By: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar
Genres: Action & Adventure, Comedy

In Theaters: Feb 7, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Jul 15, 2003
Studio: Touchstone Pictures

Critic Reviews

Ed Park, Village Voice
It's a merry surfeit, lofted by calisthenic wow above the usual level for late-era Jackie and Wilson's mellow-gold delivery.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
Like an Abbott & Costello comedy, Shanghai Knights is truly dumb, sometimes inconsistent, but awfully funny.
Claudia Puig, USA Today
Knights will surely find an enthusiastic following before it gets to video.
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
[A] mundane sequel.
Glenn Lovell, San Jose Mercury News
Grand, undemanding entertainment.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
A desperately unfunny action comedy, mirthless not only in its effect on an audience but in its whole aura.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
This buddy movie is for teens and up.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
The Chan/Wilson chemistry that drove the first film and draws people back to this one hasn't lost any of its snap.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
The movie seems to have been made simply because these guys should get together again.
James Plath, Reel.com
fans of Shanghai Noon will miss the honest energy and chemistry between Chan and Wilson that gives way to glitz in Shanghai Knights.
Greg Maki, Star-Democrat (Easton, MD)
... The perfect throwaway entertainment for this time of year.
Bryant Frazer, Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus
Formulaic to the point of distraction and saddled with one of the stupidest musical scores in recent memory.
Josh Bell, Las Vegas Weekly
Of course Shanghai Knights is fluff, but it's entertaining fluff, and, like the westerns of yore, a nice way to pass a Saturday afternoon.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

A tad disappointing but still good considering that Shanghai Noon was a lot of fun with great gags and action, this one is good but lacks the effectiveness of the first film. This sequel is still funny, with lots of good comic bits and the cast delivers. If you've enjoyed the… More
A tad disappointing but still good considering that Shanghai Noon was a lot of fun with great gags and action, this one is good but lacks the effectiveness of the first film. This sequel is still funny, with lots of good comic bits and the cast delivers. If you've enjoyed the first film, then you're sure to enjoy this film because of the fact that it kept most elements of the first film intact. Owen Wilson and Jackie Chan still have good chemistry and they are both very funny. As a sequel the film is pretty considering the fact that sequels are usually hit and miss. With Shanghai Knights, there's plenty to enjoy and is a good sequel that will most likely appeal to people who enjoyed the first. The film has effective comedy blended with good action that's really lots of fun. Shanghai Knights is a definite must see if you want something funny and entertaining. The best way you can view this film is pure entertainment. This is a film that really shouldn't be taken seriously, and despite the fact that it's imperfect, this is still very much a lot of fun from start to finish. Shanghai Knights is a good comedy that is supported by a good cast. I very much enjoyed the film, but is not as good as the first. However with every sequel that's to be expected. This is a fun film to watch, and like I said if you enjoyed the first, you're probably going to enjoy this one too. What made this film worth watching was the comedy that really stood out, and though not as good as the original, the film is still worth your time if you're in the mood for some silly entertainment.
Albert K

Same thing as "Shanghai Noon" except lacking considerable charm and comedic value.
Martin S

This is not funny...And I don't think I've ever heard Jackie Chan speak this bad english....no bullshit (pun indended)
danny d

in plotting a much larger scale, the film loses some of the charm of the first. it is still very entertaining and has some laugh out loud hilarious moments. a guilty pleasure, id still love to see one more of these. fun action, solid stunts and kung fu, good humor, an all around… More
in plotting a much larger scale, the film loses some of the charm of the first. it is still very entertaining and has some laugh out loud hilarious moments. a guilty pleasure, id still love to see one more of these. fun action, solid stunts and kung fu, good humor, an all around fun time.
Kyle F

It's a light-hearted, silly, and fun comedy. I remember when that was all a comedy had to be in order to be accepted. for some reason now the standard has changed, but this is still really good. I haven't seen the original, but the writing and Chan and Wilson's acting… More
It's a light-hearted, silly, and fun comedy. I remember when that was all a comedy had to be in order to be accepted. for some reason now the standard has changed, but this is still really good. I haven't seen the original, but the writing and Chan and Wilson's acting made me get a good feel for who these characters were. A few goofy historical references, 'Sherlock Holmes? What kind of name is that for a detective?' fall flat, seeing as that kind of humor was stale since it was first used, but overall charisma and sparky delivery help magnify the other, better, jokes. Fight choreography is extremely creative and manages to be both funny and riveting.
Dean !

I saw this over Christmas a few years ago. It's a good family adventure film with a lot of comic moments. Jackie Chan steals the show with his stunts as usual.
Michael E

funny and great western, chinese, kung-fu action movie. Wow three words i never thought would go together
Richard C

D
Dead A

This was funny. I always love the bloopers at the end. Man they really work hard to make movies.
Conner R

Basically more of the same, but equally as funny and entertaining. While they lost the western feel, they gained a very different English feel that compliments Owen Wilson and Jackie Chan's comedy. The rants on poor pocket thieves and interweaving of history is great.
Aaron N

Roy: So what did your dad do? Was he an imperial guard? Chon Wang: No, much more important. He was the Keeper of the Imperial Seal. Roy: That's what I love about China. Everybody's job description sounds so damn cool! You can see that everyone is clearly having a good… More
Roy: So what did your dad do? Was he an imperial guard? Chon Wang: No, much more important. He was the Keeper of the Imperial Seal. Roy: That's what I love about China. Everybody's job description sounds so damn cool! You can see that everyone is clearly having a good time, to not really care how ridiculous things are in this movie. fun enough. If you care about the story: This time Chan and Wilson go to England to find the murderers of Chan's father. Fish out of water action and comedy ensues. This film takes a step further than the last in tone, by purposefully becoming set at making clear homages to other films, using contemporary music and dialog, and being very self aware in general. The chemistry between Chan and Wilson is fun once again, the action is cool enough, and there is even a fight between Chan and Donnie Yen. Pretty cool. Server: Spotted dick, sir? Roy: What? Server: Spotted dick? Roy: Can you believe this guy? I'm trying to get something to eat and he's asking me if I got the clap.
Candy R

Funny action movie with Jackie and Owen. Jackie's dad is murdered and his sister is missing. They trace her to London, where they uncover a conspiracy to kill the Royal family.
Lady D

Even better than the first, with clever fight scene choreography and some very funny moments, Chan manages to make another great comedy pairing with Wilson.
Dean M

The sequel to <i>Shanghai Noon</i> with Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson are so much funny as a good team. This time, though, the martial-arts-and-wisecracks formula gets so exciting.
Al S

Just as good and faithal as the original. Great fun from start to finish. Filled with thrilling action and wonderful comedy. Wilson and Chan shine once again as an iresistable team.
Tim B

My least favorite of the Jackie Chan buddy movies. A lot of the humor seemed stupid to me.
Rachel F

I love this movie. It is so funny.
Curtis L

If i did see it, it wasn't worth remembering.
Mike S

The first one was really good, this one just feels like a poor sequel.
Justin Y

Very funny and entertaining. The story wasn't as deep as <i>Shanghai Noon</i>, but the characters were much more interesting. Jackie's fight scenes and stunts are much better as well. His sword fight at the end was well choreographed.