Python Hyena Shanghai Knights (2003): Dir: David Dobkin / Cast: Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson, Fann Wong, Aidan Gillen, Donnie Yen: Sequel to Shanghai Noon with a title that suggests storybook themes in a way that Owen Wilson attempts to impress people with bogus adventures, plus it references classic films and actors. Yet it is still just a series of set pieces and tired plotting. The Chinese Seal is stolen and Jackie Chan's father is murdered. His sister pursues the killers to London where an assassination is planned. Chan and Owen Wilson reunite and various stunts and action sequences follow. Standard issue plot with David Dobkin doing well as director. Hopefully he will move beyond this. Chan combines action and humour. Wilson throws out one-liners and delusional fantasies. Unfortunately they are merely reciting what worked better during their western outing. Fann Wong is skilled as Chan's sister who pursues her father's killer. She is the one interesting role in the film and it is still not enough to make this watchable. Villains are unfortunately standard with Aidan Gillan leading the pack. He is about as frightening as Elmer Fudd less the personality. Because Rush Hour spawned a sequel, I suppose they figured out of fairness, why not sequel Shanghai Noon. The result is a well made comedy that serves as nothing more than a pointless sequel. Score: 3 ½ / 10

Jackson Booth-Millard Shanghai Noon was a good fun twist on the western theme mixing both the traditions and martial arts, and this sequel is just as fun. Basically Chinese rebels murder the Father (Kim S. Chan) of Chon Lin (Fann Wong), sister of course of Chon Wang (Jackie Chan), and when he hears, he, along with his partner Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson) are determined to find those responsible. They end up in London, England looking for the villains, soon to be helped out and annoyed a little by young street Charlie Chaplin (Aaron Johnson) and Insp. Artie Doyle (Thomas 'Tom' Fisher), oh, and Lin too. As the story unfolds, they find out about a plot to take the crown from Queen Victoria (Gemma Jones) by royalty member Lord Nelson Rathbone (Aidan Gillen). So it is not a mission to stop him in his dastardly plot by getting back the precious Imperial Seal, but also avenge Chon's father. With just as many good giggles, fight scenes (including one spoofing Singin' in the Rain), and Chan and Wilson still good making a good buddy duo, it is a likable sequel. Worth watching!

tonberrykinged Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson join forces once again in this sequel to the kung-fu comedy western Shanghai Noon. Unlike the Rush Hour films this franchise seems to have plenty of life left in it - and that isn't just because Chris Tucker's nowhere to be seen! The story surrounds Chon Wang's (Chan) quest for revenge after his father is killed by a dastardly English royal with his sights set on the throne. Now living in America, he gets the chance to reunite with inept sidekick Roy O'Bannon (Wilson) who has moved to England. This is where most of the action takes place, allowing for plenty of 'fish-out-of-water' humour and general Brit-bashing. As usual, Wilson's laid back delivery hits the mark, and the chemistry between the two stars really works.Shanghai Knights features some of Chan's best fight sequences in a Hollywood movie. It's clear he's been given more time for his customary choreographic perfection than in the previous movie. Highlights include his tussle with guards in the library and the showdown with fellow kung-fu legend Donnie Yen (Hero, Iron Monkey) under heavy machine gun fire! This is one of those movies which really is for all ages. It would be a misleading to call it a family film because that would suggest a syrup laden, overly moralistic film which, thankfully, this is not (witness O'Bannon's cruel put-down on a London orphan). Shanghai Knights is that rare thing - a sequel that surpasses the original, and a Hollywood production that makes the most of Jackie's talents.Summary? A very fun (and funny) adventure.

Special-K88 Excessively silly and unnecessary follow-up to Shanghai Noon finds Chan having adapted to life in the Old West. When the great Imperial Seal is stolen back east in China, he tracks down old pal and reckless gambler Wilson and together they travel abroad to England to not only try and find the seal, but more importantly to rescue Chan's sister who was also abducted as part of the dastardly deed. Makes good use of its British scenery, and Chan is as typically fun to watch, but Wilson is annoyingly one-note, there's an abundance of stupid, redundant gags, and a story that's too weak to sustain the entire film. Can only be recommended for fans who really enjoy the Chan-Wilson team. **