This one's for old Mr. Wang
By MARIA SMITH and KATE WILLIAMS
Scene Editor and Scene Movie Critic
Kate: Well, personally I think that movie had everything; soul searching, international history, and even a bit of child development.
Maria: Sure, if you don't mind lessons of dubious historical accuracy. The movie clearly places the invention of the machine gun, the adolescence of Charlie Chaplin, the knighting of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the Boxer Rebellion in 1887, which is blatantly untrue. Also Chon Lin wouldn't have been able to do much karate with her feet bound.
K: Alright, the history is dubious, I'll give you that. I'll even grant that the movie was a big joke. However, it was way more entertaining than 8 Mile. At least it had good stunts, a convenient bad guy and morally superior good guys who just happen to kick his butt at the end. Plus you get to see Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson sporting mullets.
M: So you're saying the real reason to see this movie is to watch the Mullet Warriors defeat the evil and aptly named Lord Rathbone? All joking aside, what makes this film appealing?
K: You do have to admit that it topped "Shanghai Noon." Unlike its predecessor, "Shanghai Knights" abandoned any semblance of seriousness for pure slapstick joy. You've got to respect any movie where Owen Wilson refers to himself as a "30 year old waiter-gigolo."
M: You're right that "Shanghai Knights" is more entertaining than "Shanghai Noon." In the first movie the attempts at plot and morals interfere with Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson's rapport more than providing any substance. Owen Wilson's greatest strength in "Shanghai Knights" is something the guys of Keenan Hall have sought after for years — he makes offensive things sound so ridiculous that he actually becomes more lovable and charming for saying them. The effect is totally lost when "Shanghai Noon" tries to make him serious. "Shanghai Knights" also does a better job of showcasing the talents of the man who, since his debut as leading actor in New Fist of Fury in 1976, has become the most recognizable name in martial arts movies. The action sequences in "Shanghai Knights" are openly acknowledged as fight scenes, leaving the audience free to marvel at Chan's skill.
K: "Shanghai Knights" also has the advantage of a better plot. In "Shanghai Noon" they spend the entire movie trying to retrieve a kidnapped princess, but in the end somehow become sheriffs instead. The high point of the film is when Owen Wilson casually inherits Jackie Chan's wife. The plot feels disjointed. "Shanghai Knights" follows them as they attempt to reclaim the Imperial Seal of China and avenge the death of Chon Wang's father. The boys clearly travel to England to prevent a rapscallion from using the seal to illicitly assume the throne. The plot isn't excellent, but it isn't horrible — sort of like South Dining Hall. Fann Wong also makes a much better heroine as Chon's sister Lin Wang than Lucy Liu in did as Princess Pei Pei in "Shanghai Noon." She manages to kick butt even more than her big brother while simultaneously stealing Owen Wilson's heart.
M: The movie is not totally critically acclaimed, but a lot of the criticisms are exactly what you might expect for a movie built on the prospect of cultural misunderstanding between a former Imperial Guard and an old west cowboy. It relies on the charm of its actors to pull it through, and luckily for the audience the actors are well suited to the job. As long as you know what you're in for and don't expect a work of art, "Shanghai Knights" will deliver enough great action shots and one-liners to satisfy your tastes.
K: This movie doesn't claim to be a piece of cinematic history, but it isn't a waste of $5.50 either. It's the grande nonfat decaf vanilla cappuccino of film — essentially useless, but enjoyable nonetheless.
The opinions expressed in their column are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Observer.
Kate Williams is a 20-year-old coffee shop working dilettante and can be reached at kwilliam@nd.edu.
Maria Smith thinks she knows something about film and can be reached at msmith4@nd.edu.
All Scene Stories for Thursday, February 13, 2003
