It's a shame this movie didn't hit it quite as big as "Rush Hour" did here in the states, because it's an infinitely superior movie! Jackie Chan (as Chon Wang...get it? Groan...) and Owen Wilson (as Roy O'Bannon) make an incredibly appealing and fun duo, respectively playing an Imperial Guard sent to help rescue a Chinese princess and the bumbling, talkative outlaw who joins him on his quest.
The movie is full of riffs on classic Westerns, and beyond that full of some amazing slash potential. I mean, jaw-droppingly so at times. It's the little moments, like the touches and looks they share that seem more intimate and intense than expected. And then there's Chon's angst when he overhears Roy dismiss their friendship, and then Roy's angst when Chon leaves him behind because he doesn't think he can trust Roy any longer. And need I mention the drinking game scene? Our two lovely lads taking baths and getting drunk while laying low from the law...suddenly we cut away for a moment, only to return to find them still playing the drinking game--but now sharing the same bathtub?! Now, when, how and why did that happen, unless that drinking game suddenly took on a whole new twist? Inquiring minds want to know!
OK, so once again like "Rush Hour", the action isn't as impressive as in Jackie's Hong Kong stuff. No matter when he's as funny and charming as he is here...only the die-hard martial arts fans are going to complain. Owen Wilson is much funnier than Chris Tucker, not needing to rely on racial stereotype jokes to get a laugh. His droll delivery and slacker-type performance is a great balance for Jackie, and neither star overshadows the other. Let's hope talk of a "Indiana Jones"-style sequel pans out, because I definitely didn't get enough of these guys this time around.
SUMMARY:
Overall rating: A Jackie's funniest movie, even if it's not full of killer martial arts. A great one to win over new fans...drag 'em to see this whether they like Westerns or not!
Droolworthiness: A+ Jackie in beautiful robes, and in western gear, and with lovely long hair....mrowl! Owen is adorable in a young Robert Redford kind of way. And let's take a moment to appreciate Roger Yuan as bad guy Lo Fong--bald has rarely looked so damn fine!
Slashiness: A+ Get a room, already, please!!
Action: B Best fight was Jackie vs. the Indians. The finale was ok but I actually think I enjoyed Owen's gun battle a bit more than Jackie vs. Roger...go figure!
The classic Western gets a kick in the pants all right.
