Shanghai Knights

After the mediocre first part, there is a visible improvement in almost all aspects. One of the best films that Jackie made under the yoke of Hollywood. It’s “only” single-use entertainment, but good entertainment nonetheless. Sometimes that's useful too. (17/11/2004)

I don't really like crazy comedies and I don't really like Jackie Chan either, but this is an exception. A light-hearted, funny and – world wonder – clever comedy set in late 19th century Victorian England. There are charming references to famous people of the time: Arthur Conan Doyle, Jack the Ripper, famous works of world cinema, even a young Charles Chaplin has a role. It works well together, and it’s funny. The Chan-Wilson duo is wonderful and especially Owen Wilson shows that he had a lot of fun during production, and he proves his comedic talent. The fight scenes are without fault, the choreography is imaginative, often funny (there's that word again) and yet executed at great speed; Chan can do this better than acting. All in all, two hours of proper, easygoing fun. (20/09/2003)

Roy O'Bannon and his faithful sidekick, the Shanghai Kid. England has never seen a crazy pair. Hard to say which of them is better. You can choose between Jackie Chan’s excellent martial arts or the blabbermouth heroism of Owen Wilson. The choreography of the fight scenes is better than in part one and the same applies to the wisecracks. The story is nothing special, but is equaled by ingenious interconnections and “guests" in the form of historical figures. We see the beginnings of Sherlock Holmes and the disappearance of Jack the Ripper. What more do you want from a movie? (31/03/2007)

"My life is passing before my eyes... wait, I don't remember this!" I expected it to be just a rehash of the original solid theme, and to my surprise, I got an even better piece. Jackie's action sequences this time don't determine the course of the film, so they are more enjoyable than usual. The verbal sparring with Owen Wilson or anyone else reliably entertains, humorously reproduces some clichés from earlier films (jumping during a pillow fight), or parodies proven routines (Singing in the Rain). This is how I imagine recreational entertainment. (31/03/2007)