Shanghai Noon Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Chinese bodyguard and a goofy cowboy become besties while accidentally inventing new fighting styles and cultural misunderstandings in the Wild West.

🍿 Shanghai Noon: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Kidnapping

In 1881 China, Princess Pei Pei is kidnapped from the Forbidden City by traitor Lo Fong, who seeks to extort a ransom from the Emperor. Chon Wang, an Imperial Guard with feelings for the princess, joins the mission to rescue her despite being considered clumsy.

Journey to Nevada

The rescue party travels to Nevada, but are ambushed by Roy O’Bannon and his gang of train robbers. During the chaos, Wang is separated from the group and ends up an unlikely partner with Roy after being betrayed by his own gang. Wang seeks to rescue the princess, while Roy desires the ransom money.

Unexpected Alliances and Challenges

Wang and Roy navigate the Wild West, encountering Native American tribes, corrupt lawmen, and dangerous situations. Wang undergoes a forced marriage to an Indian wife and learns cowboy skills from Roy, strengthening their bond despite conflicting motivations. Their journey leads them to Carson City, where the princess is being held.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Chon Wang (Jackie Chan): A clumsy but skilled Imperial Guard who travels to the American West to rescue Princess Pei Pei.
• Roy O’Bannon (Owen Wilson): A small-time train robber with delusions of grandeur who becomes an unlikely partner to Chon Wang.
• Princess Pei Pei (Lucy Liu): The kidnapped princess whose desire for freedom sparks the adventure.
• Lo Fong (Roger Yuan): A traitor and former Imperial Guard who orchestrates the kidnapping of Princess Pei Pei for ransom.
• Van Cleef (Xander Berkeley): The corrupt marshal allied with Lo Fong, who seeks to capture Chon Wang and Roy O’Bannon.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Roy O’Bannon: “All right, but from now on, you call me Roy. Okay? Roy O’Bannon. You can remember that, can’t you? Roy… O’… Bannon.” – Roy insists Chon call him by his full name to emphasize his importance and grandiosity.
• Roy O’Bannon: “No, you said wet shirt don’t break, not piss shirt bend bar.” – Roy corrects Chon’s understanding of the saying when they are trying to bend the bars in jail.
• Roy O’Bannon: “This is the Wild West. People here do whatever they want.” – Roy explains the lawless nature of the West to Chon, highlighting the cultural differences.
• Chon Wang: “You are terrible. How have you made it this long?” – Chon says this to Roy because he is a very bad cowboy and can’t rob a train.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $55,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $56,937,502
• Worldwide Gross: $99,274,467

💥 Shanghai Noon Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely love Shanghai Noon! It’s one of those movies I can watch over and over. The unlikely pairing of Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson is pure gold. Their chemistry is just amazing, and the way they play off each other’s strengths is hilarious. The whole scene in the saloon is just pure comedy, and the fight choreography is so creative and fun to watch.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Jackie Chan’s martial arts comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy buddy cop/buddy action films”
  • “People looking for a light-hearted action-adventure movie”
  • “Those interested in East meets West storylines”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Action violence”
  • “Some crude humor”
  • “Cultural stereotypes (use with caution when watching with children)”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Shanghai Noon delivers a satisfying blend of action and comedy. Jackie Chan’s martial arts skills are showcased brilliantly, complemented by Owen Wilson’s unique comedic timing. The film’s success lies in its ability to balance the East-meets-West theme with humor and exciting action sequences. The movie is a fun, lighthearted cinematic experience.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “While the plot is somewhat predictable, Shanghai Noon offers an enjoyable ride, thanks to the chemistry between Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson. Chan’s action sequences are inventive and entertaining, while Wilson’s laid-back charm adds a comedic touch. Though it’s not groundbreaking, it’s a decent action-comedy.

Audience Reactions

The comedic timing between Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson is perfect.: Viewers consistently praise the chemistry between Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson, citing their dynamic as the heart of the movie’s charm and humor.

Jackie Chan’s inventive fight scenes blend seamlessly with the Western setting.: Audiences rave about the creative and well-choreographed action sequences, highlighting how Jackie Chan’s martial arts integrate seamlessly with the Western backdrop.

Overall Consensus: Shanghai Noon is a well-received action-comedy that benefits from the strong chemistry between its leads, delivering an entertaining blend of martial arts and Western humor.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The fight scene involving the horseshoe was difficult to execute with a fake horseshoe, as it was too light. Jackie Chan insisted on using a real horseshoe but refused to strike any of the stuntmen with it, deeming it too dangerous.”
• “The movie’s title, ‘Shanghai Noon,’ is a play on the classic Western film ‘High Noon’.”
• “During the film’s production, the working title was ‘Untitled Jackie Chan Project’.”

🖥️ How to Watch Shanghai Noon?

Shanghai Noon is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Physical copies (DVD and Blu-ray) are also available for purchase online and in stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Rush Hour (1998): Similar buddy-cop dynamic with Jackie Chan and a comedic partner.
• Shanghai Knights (2003): Sequel with the same characters in a new setting.
• Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969): Classic western about outlaws with a buddy dynamic and humorous situations.
• Maverick (1994): A light-hearted comedic western.
• The Mummy (1999): Adventure film with action and humor, set in a historical period with exotic elements.

🛒 Shanghai Noon Related Products

• Shanghai Noon & Shanghai Knights (Double Feature) [Blu-ray]: Get ready for twice the action and laughter with this double feature Blu-ray, featuring both ‘Shanghai Noon’ and ‘Shanghai Knights’. This set is perfect for fans who want to experience the entire adventure.
• Wild West Cowboy Hat: Complete your cowboy look with a classic wild west cowboy hat, made from high-quality materials. Perfect for costume parties, themed events, or just adding a touch of Western flair to your outfit.
• Kung Fu Training Dummy: Sharpen your martial arts skills with a professional-grade Kung Fu training dummy. Constructed from durable materials, this dummy is perfect for practicing your strikes, blocks, and forms.
• Chinese Princess Costume: Dress up as Princess Pei Pei from Shanghai Noon. This cosplay set includes all the classic elements of Chinese royal attire, including a long dress, and hair accessories. Perfect for cosplay events or theme parties.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “A-maje-cumbe” – performed by Simon Boswell
• “End Title” – performed by Randy Edelman

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Shanghai Knights Bloopers [HD]

Get ready for a side-splitting look at the hilarious mishaps and outtakes that happened while filming Shanghai Knights. Join Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson as they fumble their way through scenes, providing plenty of laughs along the way.

Shanghai Noon Deleted Scence

Uncover a hidden gem from Shanghai Noon! This deleted scene gives you a glimpse into an unseen moment that was ultimately cut from the movie. It’s a chance to delve deeper into the story and characters, so don’t miss out!

Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson on Jay Leno (Feb 03, 2003)

Join Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson for a hilarious chat with Jay Leno! They dish on their experiences filming Shanghai Knights, share behind-the-scenes stories, and prove why their on-screen chemistry is so infectious. Get ready for a fun and insightful interview that will make you appreciate the movie even more.

✨ Rate