Cinetv Contest: Shanghai Noon (2003)
Truthfully, I'm not really a fan of Western movies, not like I have not seen any from the first day I discovered my love for the make believe industry. I have seen many great films over the years and the western themed movie is not excluded. In fact I have seen a handful of it. From classic Hollywood Westerns to the modern ones, any genre western. Apparently I'm one of the types that a movie tends to stay In my memory for a long time once I find it exciting and the actors deliver. So I'll try in this week's contest on cinetv which you are free to join, to tell so much about one movie that stands out as my favorite Western movie is "Shanghai Noon", and guess what it's starring the legendary Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson.
I have had the opportunity to see the two installments - Shanghai noon (2000) and Shanghai knights (2003). In both of these movies. Shanghai Noon stands out for me.
About the movie
Shanghai Noon is a Western-themed action-comedy that was first released in the year 2000. The film was of course set in the Wild West of the 19th century western world and tells of the adventures of a Chinese Imperial Guard, Jackie Chan as Chon Wang and a cowboy Owen Wilson as Roy O'Bannon. They set out on a mission to rescue the kidnapped Chinese princess. The film is a perfect blend of humor, action, and adventure, and it captures the spirit of the Wild West perfectly.
Plot of the movie
The movie's beginning sequence set the whole mood for the entire film. It beautifully starts with a scene at the Chinese Imperial Palace and Chon Wang was introduced to the audience, like I meny earlier the character was played by Jackie Chan. Chon, a member of the Imperial Guard, was tasked with the mission of rescuing their Chinese princess who had been kidnapped and taken to the Wild West of America. That particular scene sets the stage for the entire action and adventure that follows. So from the beginning the audience already knew what to expect from the movie.
But as Chon arrives in America, he is met with a world that is completely different from the one he knew back in China. Luckily he meets a former outlaw and cowboy Roy O'Bannon which was also played by Owen Wilson. The two met in a rather unfriendly situation but moving on formed an unlikely strong bond and relationship which was the heart of the movie going forward. To be honest the whole storyline was great and worth it. And the choice of stars to play each role was carefully chosen I must say.
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My take on the movie
The chemistry between Jackie and Owen is fantastic, and they complimented each other so well. That was one thing I realized about the movie. Their hilarious banter, Their great comedic timing, and their on-screen romance was the beautiful craft that nurtured the movie. Not like the other supporting cast didn't do their jobs well. They all did well to add to the masterpiece in the movie.
Okay let me talk a little bit about the action sequence. Already Jackie Chan is known generally to be a master at playing the action roles with his incredible martial arts skills, and in this movie he showcases them perfectly. They tried to create a strong balance between the Chinese style action and the western action too. Giving the audience a feel of each side. One of my best action scenes in the movie was the scene with Chan fighting a group of cowboys with ladders and horseshoes. Clear a perfect example of Jackie Chan's trademark style, I think he did the same in " around the world in 30 days". The BTS after the movie showed how Jackie went at length to give the viewers the best of the action, repeating each stunts till he got a perfect shot. A master in the game I must say.
The film is hilarious with so many funny moments. It wasn't much though, I guess they tried not to make it much so it wouldn't overshadow the whole movie and make the viewers not enjoy the other interesting parts of the movie. The costumes and settings were great too. Everything depicted the 19th century western world. Teleporting the audience back in time with ease. Their attention to detail was very impressive and commendable.
I can never get enough of Shanghai Noon and that's why it is my favorite Western movie, and for good reason too which I've been able to elaborate on in this article. Once it's action, adventure and humor, and a combination of a great cast. Then I'm totally in for it. Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson chemistry gave me all that and I applaud them for a job well done. So If you're a fan of Western movies or a fan of Jackie Chan movies or even Owen Wilson, then Shanghai Noon is a must-see for you.