Dir.
David Dobkin, 2003, USA , 114 mins
Cast: Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson, Fann Wong
In reuniting the pairing of Jackie Chan's sheriff, Chon Wang, with Owen Wilson's arrogant outlaw, Roy O'Bannon, for the sequel to the hugely successful film, Shanghai Noon (2000), it is almost certainly guaranteed that Shanghai Knights will do just as well at the box office as its predecessor. Having already taken some $58 million at the US box office since opening seven weeks ago, Twentieth Century Fox are hoping for similar success when the film opens here on 4 April.
This time the comic misfits become embroiled in an elaborate revenge and murder plot that sees them journey to Victorian London. "Victorian England had not been exposed to kung fu, so we thought we could have some fun surprising the unsuspecting Brits with it," says screenwriter Alfred Gough. "We also wanted to lend the story a modern sensibility by utilising landmarks that are still erect today, and peppering it with now famous characters who remain part of contemporary culture.
It's a wink to a legendary time period that has inspired so many films." Such famous characters include Charlie, the young tramp played by 12-year-old Aaron Johnson, who later turns out to be none other than Charlie Chaplin. Gemma Jones makes a cameo appearance as Queen Victoria; Jack the Ripper is wrecking havoc on the foggy streets, and Arthur Conan Doyle makes an appearance as a dim-witted Scotland Yard Inspector whom O'Bannon inspires to write the Sherlock Holmes Mysteries.
Much of the action takes place at some of London's most renowned landmarks, such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and an 1800's version of Madame Tussaud's which houses waxworks of Genghis Khan amongst its collection. "We were able to have fun with this period by introducing elements that did not necessarily exist at the time," says production designer Allan Cameron. "David [Dobkin, director] wanted to give the film a contemporary sensibility, so we took that idea to the hilt."
The action opens in China's Forbidden City in 1887. When Chon Wang's father, the Keeper of the Imperial Seal - a priceless gem - is brutally murdered, Wang's martial-arts savvy sister, Lin, makes her way to London in order to reclaim the precious jewel. Likewise, Wang and O'Bannon have also set their sights on London in order that Wang may salvage his family's honour. Aidan Gillen, known largely for his role as Stuart in the controversial Channel 4 series Queer As Folk, stars as the evil Lord Rathbone, member of the House of Lords and tenth in line to the throne. In order to carry out his dastardly plan of killing all those who stand in the way of his Kingship, Rathbone has acquired the services of one Wu Chan, the illegitimate son of the Emperor of China, in exchange for the Imperial Seal.
The film is by no means a cinematic masterpiece, but Jackie Chan's inventive fight sequences and Owen Wilson's sardonic wit rescue Shanghai Knights from the mundane. Inspired by the visual antics of legendary silent stars as Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, Chan's ability to turn any object into a weapon, from a piece of fine china to an umbrella, lends his fight sequences and stunts an endearing, amusing quality. "Choreographing an action scene is very difficult," says the martial arts star. "You have to get the rhythm just right, or the audience will be bored. You design it as if you were designing a musical sequence." One such sequence sees Chan take this latter sentence literally, paying homage to Gene Kelly's celebrated Singin' in the Rain number as he fends off attackers in a London market.
Owen Wilson's character manages to stay out of much of the fighting. "Just as Jackie Chan's known for doing all his own stunts, I want to be known as the actor who does none," quips the shaggy-haired actor. Instead, Roy O'Bannon's deadliest weapon is his sharp sense of humour. "He takes care of the funny lines," says Jackie Chan on his partner in crime, "and I handle the action which is oftentimes funny as well." Thus, it is Wilson who delivers the majority of the film's one-liners. "That's what I love about China," O'Bannon says on learning of the death of the Keeper of the Imperial Seal, "everyone's job titles sound so goddamn cool."
However, despite the repartee between the two main stars, the film generally adheres to Hollywood stereotypes. London is depicted as a place with dirty cockneys on one side and unscrupulous aristocrats on the other. Thus, Lord Rathbone conforms to the type of menacing English antagonist played far more convincingly by Gary Oldman and Alan Rickman. That other staple of the stereotypical Englishman, the well-meaning buffoon that Hugh Grant has cemented his career on, is also present and correct here in the form of thespian actor Thomas Fisher and his portrayal of Arthur Conan Doyle. Just imagine, if you will, a slightly better educated Mr. Bean, and you will be someway to picturing the eternally bumbling Scotland Yard Inspector.
No doubt, though, the film will do rather well at the box office, particularly because of the recent Hollywood trend towards escapist films in light of events occurring in the Middle East. This film is well timed then. A cross between Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure and A Knight's Tale, it could well attract an audience looking for a feel-good buddy movie. Don't expect to be intellectually stimulated though; this film is to be enjoyed at face value.
Laurie Munslow
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