Shanghai Knights Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson cause historical inaccuracies across England while searching for a stolen seal.

🍿 Shanghai Knights: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Theft and the Call to Action

In 1887, the Imperial Seal of China is stolen from the Forbidden City, and Chon Wang’s father, the Keeper of the Seal, is murdered by Lord Rathbone. Chon Lin, Wang’s sister, witnesses the crime and sends word to Chon, now a sheriff in Carson City, Nevada. This sets the stage for a journey to London, filled with action and humor.

From the Wild West to London

Chon Wang travels to New York to reunite with Roy O’Bannon, needing funds for the trip to London. Roy, having squandered their previous fortune, is working as a waiter and part-time gigolo. After some misadventures, the duo makes their way to London, setting the scene for a clash of cultures and comedic situations.

Unraveling the Conspiracy

In London, Wang and O’Bannon encounter Inspector Artie Doyle and a young street urchin named Charlie. They discover a plot by Lord Rathbone, in league with Wu Chow, to assassinate the Royal Family and seize power. This leads to a series of action-packed sequences, with the team working to thwart Rathbone’s plans and retrieve the stolen seal.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Chon Wang (Jackie Chan): A Nevada sheriff and skilled martial artist who seeks to avenge his father’s death and retrieve the stolen Imperial Seal.
• Roy O’Bannon (Owen Wilson): Chon Wang’s wisecracking, opportunistic cowboy partner who accompanies him to London for adventure and profit.
• Chon Lin (Fann Wong): Chon Wang’s resourceful and skilled sister who aids in their quest for revenge and the recovery of the Imperial Seal.
• Lord Rathbone (Aidan Gillen): The primary antagonist who orchestrates the murder of Chon Wang’s father and plots to seize the British throne.
• Wu Chow (Donnie Yen): A skilled martial artist and Chinese rebel who conspires with Lord Rathbone to restore his family to the Chinese throne.
• Artie Doyle (Tom Fisher): A bumbling Scotland Yard Inspector who later becomes the famous author Arthur Conan Doyle, aiding Chon and Roy with his deductive reasoning.
• Charlie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson): A street-smart urchin who assists Chon and Roy, later revealed to be the young Charlie Chaplin.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Roy O’Bannon: “We’re Americans. We won the revolution with pitchforks!” – Roy makes a boastful, humorous remark about American superiority while in London.
• Roy O’Bannon: “Did you just get hit by a cricket ball?” – Roy reacts with amusement after Chon is struck during a fight, highlighting the cultural clash.
• Chon Wang: “My father always said family is more important than anything.” – Chon expresses the core theme of family honor and loyalty, driving his quest for revenge.
• Artie Doyle: “Elementary, my dear Wang.” – Doyle mimics a famous Sherlock Holmes quote in order to solve a mystery.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $50,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $60,476,872
• Worldwide Gross: $88,323,487

💥 Shanghai Knights Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing this in the theater and just having a blast. The fight scenes were so creative and funny, especially the ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ homage. Owen Wilson and Jackie Chan are a perfect duo, and the historical inaccuracies just added to the charm for me. I left feeling energized and wanting to watch it again immediately. It is one of my all time favorite comedies and a solid Jackie Chan film.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Jackie Chan’s action-comedy movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy buddy cop films with a historical twist”
  • “Those looking for lighthearted entertainment with martial arts elements”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Action violence and martial arts fighting”
  • “Some suggestive humor and innuendo”
  • “Brief depictions of historical violence”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “A fun, if somewhat predictable, action-comedy. Chan and Wilson have great chemistry. It’s a lighthearted adventure with some fun historical nods. While not groundbreaking, it provides a solid dose of entertainment and humor.
• IMDb: “A great sequel that builds on the chemistry of Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson. Action-packed fight scenes are entertaining. Some of the historical inaccuracies are funny and not distracting. A feel-good film that doesn’t require too much thinking.
• IMDb: “This movie offers an enjoyable blend of martial arts and humor. It showcases Chan’s unique style well and features a solid plot. I thought Wilson’s witty remarks had me laughing throughout.

Audience Reactions

The Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson partnership is comedic gold.: Viewers praised the movie’s lighthearted humor and entertaining action sequences.

Historical inaccuracies add charm for those who don’t take it seriously.: Most viewers found the blend of action and comedy a good mix.

Overall Consensus: A lighthearted and humorous action-comedy that offers entertaining fight scenes and strong chemistry between Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson, though some find its historical inaccuracies distracting.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The filmmakers used many real locations in London, including the Tower of London and the Royal Naval College, to enhance the film’s authenticity.”
• “Jackie Chan choreographed the fight scenes himself, incorporating elements of British culture, such as the ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ sequence.”
• “Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s character, Charlie, is implied to be a young Charlie Chaplin, despite the film’s setting predating Chaplin’s birth, creating an anachronistic joke.”

🖥️ How to Watch Shanghai Knights?

Shanghai Knights is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable VOD services. While it’s not typically included in subscription-based streaming services, keep an eye out for occasional rotations on platforms like Netflix or Hulu. Physical copies (DVDs, Blu-rays) are also widely available for purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Shanghai Knights, you might like these similar films:

• Shanghai Noon (2000): The first movie in the series, establishing the buddy-comedy dynamic between Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson in a Western setting.
• Around the World in 80 Days (2004): Another Jackie Chan period action-comedy with a similar lighthearted tone and globe-trotting adventure.
• The Tuxedo (2002): Another collaboration of Jackie Chan and a buddy, with focus on action and comedy.
• Rush Hour (1998): Features Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker as mismatched partners, showcasing action-comedy with cultural differences.
• Knight and Day (2010): Modern action-comedy with globe-trotting adventures and a comedic partnership, similar in tone and style.

🛒 Shanghai Knights Related Products

• Shanghai Noon & Shanghai Knights – Double Feature [Blu-ray]: Own both films in high definition for the ultimate buddy-action experience.
• Jackie Chan: My Story: Get a new level of insight on the life and work of this iconic action star.
• Shanghai Knights Movie Poster: Classic design featuring Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson for your wall.
• Funko Pop! Jackie Chan (Shanghai Knights Edition): A stylized collectible figure of Jackie Chan’s character from the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

Shanghai Knights features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Gangway Charlie” – performed by Leroy Shield (Performed by The Beau Hunks)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Jackie Chan vs Donnie Yen Extended Fight Scene

Watch Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen unleash their martial arts prowess in this extended, breathtaking fight scene from ‘Shanghai Knights.’ Prepare to be amazed by their gravity-defying moves and stunning choreography.

Shanghai Knights Funny Bloopers

Join Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson for a side-splitting journey in this compilation of bloopers from ‘Shanghai Knights.’ Watch them struggle with lines, burst into laughter, and create memories that will make you smile long after.

Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson on Jay Leno

Dive into the world of ‘Shanghai Knights’ with this entertaining interview on ‘The Tonight Show.’ Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson’s chemistry shines through as they discuss the movie, their characters, and the fun they had on set.

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