Shanghai Knights
(2003)

Rated PG-13 for action violence and sexual content
Starring: Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson, Donnie Yen, Aiden Gillen, Fann Wong, Aaron Johnson, Tom Fisher
Writers: Alfred Gough & Miles Millar
Director: David Dobkin

Reviewed by Peter Veugelaers © 2003
- Better than a cheese royale: buy one while its hot

As of this writing there are six comedies that make their presence felt in the top seven films of the year at the box office. Generically speaking, Daredevil is the odd one out. There is no wonder this is the case. During wartime in the 1940s Bud Abbot and Lou Costello manic comedies were the rage, and so I presume the same is happening here.

"Shanghai Knights" is one of the six, entertaining escapism appealing during times of war or peace and so affirming the enduring quality of comedy per se. Although, with a bevy of comedies in the top ten smashes of the year so far, something could be said for light cathartic relief for families in the face of their American young men serving the nation in war with the threat of death, albeit regarded as an honourable death, knocking on the door. We Were Soldiers would make appropriate viewing in such case.

The sequel to Shanghai Noon (2000), which stars Jackie Chan paired up again with Owen Wilson and not his Rush Hour sidekick Chris Tucker, is not only good light fun but, in sentimental vein, enforces fighting for the honour of family in face of oppressive opposition (rather cartoonish opposition), something the American public could either identify with in support of the principles behind the war in Iraq or perhaps shun in an anti-war, pro-peace stance.

The combination of dignity through revenge is handled in a Jackie Chan movie with a sincere tone but is ultimately difficult to take too seriously – Chan’s superb physical prowess in fight scenes coupled with Owen Wilson’s complimentary thick-as-nails comedy relief is the best thing in the film and, like Rush Hour, creates non-serious feelings around an unbelievable premise and plot, although written with a glint of the gravity of the occasion.

The occasion in question here is an attempted coup of British royalty by Lord Nelson, tenth in succession to be king, who enlists the brother of Jackie Chan’s character, Wu Chow, to secure absolute power over the monarchy and England. Lord Nelson steals a Chinese imperial jewel from Chon Wang’s (Chan) father, which will give Nelson somehow otherworldly ability to conquer.

Underneath it all, this is really a superficial story about good verses evil (no Lord of the Rings here): Jackie and Owen, with some additional good guy Brits, are the goodies fighting a potential disaster for China and England against the enemy within. Their brand of humour and unconventional mayhem will naturally rock Victorian propriety.

The result is predictable, but massively enjoyable, and although it may be suitable for the family some of the sexual innuendo and references, and action, may make some parents uncomfortable. Still, the reconciliatory actions of Chan’s Chon Wang towards his estranged father and his desire for his father’s honour smacks of Jackie Chan and Asian sense and sensibility – noble, brave and powerful in adversity, a nod for fighting for the dignity of the family.