Shanghai Noon (2000)

79% of critics liked it
(131 reviews)
67% of users liked it
(391,939 ratings)

Jackie Chan has often played a fish out of water, but he's rarely found himself so far upstream as in this comic adventure, in which he puts his fighting skills to the test in the Old West of the 1850s. Lo Fong (Roger Yuan), onetime captain of the Chinese Imperial Guard, has traded upholding the law… More Jackie Chan has often played a fish out of water, but he's rarely found himself so far upstream as in this comic adventure, in which he puts his fighting skills to the test in the Old West of the 1850s. Lo Fong (Roger Yuan), onetime captain of the Chinese Imperial Guard, has traded upholding the law for smuggling opium. Needing some operating capital, Lo Fong kidnaps the Emperor's daughter, Princess Pei Pei (Lucy Liu), and takes her to America. When the Emperor sends his best men to find her, Chon Wang (Chan), one of the Emperor's less distinguished guards, insists on joining them; he feels at fault for Lo Fong's capturing the Princess, and he wants to make amends. However, while the rescue party scours the West, Chon Wang gets separated from the group and soon becomes lost. When he crosses paths with Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson), a bright but arrogant train robber, the two become unlikely allies. While Shanghai Noon was billed as Jackie Chan's follow-up to Rush Hour, his first successful American-made feature, it was actually filmed in Canada, as was Chan's breakthrough film in America, the Hong Kong-backed Rumble in the Bronx. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Tom Dey
Written By: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar
Genres: Western, Action & Adventure, Comedy

In Theaters: May 26, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Oct 10, 2000
Studio: Buena Vista Internationa

Critic Reviews

Bob Graham, San Francisco Chronicle
This is almost Mel Brooks territory: The frontiersmen think the Chinese are Jews, while the white settlers think it's the Sioux who are. This is equal-opportunity nuttiness, and there's a method to it.
Susan Stark, Detroit News
It's hard to imagine why anyone of any age would find other elements of this movie's attempt at a comic text even mildly amusing.
Steve Murray, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Shanghai Noon lassos up all the revisionist laughs and action scenes that last summer's Wild Wild West botched.
Sean Means, Film.com
For Jackie Chan to succeed in Hollywood, Hollywood must let Jackie be Jackie -- something the jokey Western Shanghai Noon does only sporadically.
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
Expertly mixes thrills and laughter.
Jay Carr, Boston Globe
Shanghai Noon is the movie Wild Wild West tried to be last summer.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Engaging Jackie Chan movie for older teens and up.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
As far as light, brainless summer entertainment goes, it makes the grade.
Bob Grimm, Sacramento News & Review
The first half of this film is great entertainment, and then it starts to unravel, but not before Chan establishes himself as a dynamic comedian.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
The movie walks the line between good stupid humor and embarrassing stupid humor, and usually manages to stay on the good side.
Joe Lozito, Big Picture Big Sound
This movie is not about plot (which is a shame because there might have been a good story to tell here), it's about fun Martial Arts action. And Mr. Chan as usual, delivers. Service with a smile.
Derek Adams, Time Out
Much of its strength comes from the central clash between Jackie's indomitable energy and Wilson's knowingly anachronistic cool, while lots of visual and verbal gags keep things whistling.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
I'm pleased to report that Shanghai Noon is the best Jackie Chan movie in many moons.
Ron Wells, Film Threat
Dey ultimately lets Chan down. If the legendary actor could have brought in old school chum Sammo Hung, he could have made this a great picture.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
Having Jackie Chan's capable martial arts talents involved in this mix helps to keep the humor level high and the fight scenes exciting.
Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer
While the western boastfulness may get on your nerves, Owen Wilson and Jackie Chan make the adventure a barrel of fun.
Max Messier, Filmcritic.com
Director Tom Dey does an admirable job of capturing all the tremendous agility of Chan. It almost seems like Sammo Hung, one of Chan's best Asian directors, was working in tandem with Dey.
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
The movie Wild Wild West should have been.
John R. McEwen, Film Quips Online
Wilson is the glue that holds the story together, and propels Shanghai Noon to the same stature held by Rush Hour.
Andy Richards, Sight and Sound
Shanghai Noon is an accomplished follow-up to Jackie Chan's first big-budget US film Rush Hour.

Read all 23 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

Shanghai Noon is a much more accomplished action comedy that Rush Hour, which is a horrible film, and with that said, Jackie Chain redeems himself with this one. This is one good comedy that is lots of fun from start to finish. The film has the right amount of action to go with the… More
Shanghai Noon is a much more accomplished action comedy that Rush Hour, which is a horrible film, and with that said, Jackie Chain redeems himself with this one. This is one good comedy that is lots of fun from start to finish. The film has the right amount of action to go with the comedy to really make this film an entertaining ride. I'm usually not that into Jackie Chain, but on occasion he surprises me, and with Shanghai Noon he really delivers a good funny performance. If you want a great action comedy, then this is your film. Director Tom Dey directs a good cast and he has a good idea how to convey an effective action film with comedy. Of course Shanghai Noon isn't perfect, but this is the type of film that is far better than Rush Hour. The reason it's better is because you have a better cast, better director and better story. Also the comedy is better. This film is actually funny. I very much loved this film, and thought that Owen Wilson and Jackie Chan had really good chemistry on-screen that made the film much better than it was. I wasn't expecting anything good out of this film, but I was pleasantly surprised. This is a good, entertaining film that is sure to please people looking a fun action packed comedy. This is one of the better films to feature Jackie Chan. Shanghai Noon is great fun from start to finish.
Albert K

Though its been a while since I've seen it, it's simply a good time with typical "dodge-by-flipping-around-branches-and-through-tiny-windows.....punch" Jackie Chan action with another reckless guy that adds the comedy to the mix (Rush Hour anyone?)
danny d

just about everything about this film is likeable. it has some solid stunt work, funny scenes, likeable characters, and a really good story for a buddy cop/western/martial arts piece. sure its typical of these kinds of films in many ways, but its one of the funnest films out there,… More
just about everything about this film is likeable. it has some solid stunt work, funny scenes, likeable characters, and a really good story for a buddy cop/western/martial arts piece. sure its typical of these kinds of films in many ways, but its one of the funnest films out there, so i overrate it simply for the enjoyment factor.
Conner R

It's actually kind of a guilty pleasure of mine, such a fun movie. Sure it's not all that breathtaking or as funny as some of the pair's other movies, but I love it for being so innocent and harmless. My favorite part is Owen Wilson's train robbery sketches and… More
It's actually kind of a guilty pleasure of mine, such a fun movie. Sure it's not all that breathtaking or as funny as some of the pair's other movies, but I love it for being so innocent and harmless. My favorite part is Owen Wilson's train robbery sketches and utter lack of surroundings.
Dead A

This was funny. I love Jackie Chan.
Lady D

A comical Western with an Eastern touch. Entertaining fight sequences, a great comedy partnership between Wilson and Chan and a comedy slant parody of the Western genre.
Anthony L

This is a fun and refreshing 'buddy' movie with some genuine laughs in it.
Aaron N

Roy O'Bannon: Yes, John, I've heard all about the Emperor. Must be one hell of a man. Chon Wang: He's only twelve. Roy O'Bannon: Are you kidding me? You're sitting here, waiting to die for someone whose balls haven't even dropped? Rush Hour goes west?… More
Roy O'Bannon: Yes, John, I've heard all about the Emperor. Must be one hell of a man. Chon Wang: He's only twelve. Roy O'Bannon: Are you kidding me? You're sitting here, waiting to die for someone whose balls haven't even dropped? Rush Hour goes west? Funny moments and neat martial arts in the old west make this a fun movie. This movie doesn't attempt to be serious about its setting, its about having fun, and this film delivers. Chan stars as a Chinese man sent to the Wild Wild West to rescue a kidnapped princess, played by Lucy Liu. During his travels, he eventually partners up with a wannabe outlaw, played by Owen Wilson. The comedy/action ensues. What works is the chemistry between Chan and Wilson. Its a strange combo, but it works. The old west setting provides a neat twist for a Jackie Chan style action film. All of this adds up to a fun film. Roy O'Bannon: Ooooh... who's the pretty lady? Chon Wang: That's my wife! Roy O'Bannon: How long you been in this country? Chon Wang: Four days. Roy O'Bannon: Nice work.
Candy R

Funny action comedy starring an unlikely duo - Jackie and Owen. Jackie travels to the Wild West to rescue a kidnapped princess. He meets Owen a train robber who teaches him western ways.
Taylor B

A fun treat
Dean M

This East-meets-West actioner is absolutely action-comedy of a Chinese Imperial guard (Jackie Chan) teams up with a Sundance Kid-type bandit (Owen Wilson) to rescue a Chinese princess. In a departure from the Chan-dominated film format, Wilson shares centre stage as the action… More
This East-meets-West actioner is absolutely action-comedy of a Chinese Imperial guard (Jackie Chan) teams up with a Sundance Kid-type bandit (Owen Wilson) to rescue a Chinese princess. In a departure from the Chan-dominated film format, Wilson shares centre stage as the action sequences take a backseat to the comic romp.
Al S

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid meets Rush hour. A tremendously enjoyable action-comedy. Filled with great laughs and spectacular stunts. An awsome buddy flick with plenty of refrences from great westerns. Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson are teriffic.
Lewis C

If you like movies like Rush Hour, then you'll probably like this one too.
Dean !

An ok action comedy starring Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson, with a slight western feel to it.
Rachel F

Fantastic. It is so funny. I loved it.
Curtis L

everyone liked it. I don't know why.
Justin Y

This is a pretty good comedic western with a good amount of action. Jackie does a number of stunts in this movie and he has a short fight with Yu Rong Guang (one of my favs) near the ending. This is not as good as the sequel, but it is entertaining nevertheless.
Kylie B

Fun but as the Synopsis says, little story.
Keith A

Who says that the western-action-comedy can't have Jackie Chan & Owen Wilson?
Tim B

You say "Jackie Chan buddy movie", I say "So far, so good". You get what you expect out of this one.