Shanghai Knights 2003

The cinematic journey begins in the opulent confines of the Forbidden City, Beijing, 1887, where Chon Lin (Fann Wong) sits sipping tea alongside her father, the esteemed Keeper of the Imperial Seal of China. As they converse, Lin reveals that her brother, Chon Wang (Jackie Chan), is thriving as a sheriff in Carson City, Nevada, USA, but her father’s expression turns cold, revealing his deep-seated disdain for Wang’s existence. Meanwhile, Lord Nelson Rathbone (Aidan Gillen) orchestrates a sinister invasion of the city, attacking and killing Lin’s father. As the Keeper lies mortally wounded, he entrusts Lin with a cryptic puzzle box and a heartfelt letter intended for Chon Wang.

In the dusty Wild West, Chon Wang is basking in the glory of his law enforcement accomplishments, having successfully apprehended a multitude of fugitives. His trusted deputy is indulging in a thrilling adventure novel, “Roy O’Bannon Vs. The Mummy,” which regales readers with an exaggerated account of their escapades from the first film, portraying Wang’s “Shanghai Kid” as a timid sidekick.

Wang’s life takes a dramatic turn when he receives a mysterious package containing the puzzle box and Lin’s letter, informing him that their father has passed away and that she has tracked the perpetrator to London. Driven by a sense of duty and family loyalty, Wang sets out to find his old partner, Roy O’Bannon (Owen Wilson), requiring his share of the gold left over from their previous escapades to fund his journey.

Upon arriving in New York City, Wang seeks out Roy, only to discover that his former partner has abandoned his law enforcement career, squandered most of their gold on an ill-fated investment in a Zeppelin, and is now eking out a meager living as a hotel waiter and part-time gigolo. As they struggle to make ends meet by attempting to engage in prostitution, the Mayor of New York City arrives in search of his missing daughters, Roy’s latest clients. Wang must use his formidable martial arts skills to fend off an onslaught of NYPD officers before he and Roy stow away on a cargo ship bound for London.

As they navigate the treacherous waters of the English Channel, Wang shares the tragic tale of their father’s demise with Roy, who pledges to stand by his friend’s side as they embark on a perilous quest to reclaim the Imperial Seal. Upon arriving in London, Wang and Roy find themselves embroiled in a tangled web of intrigue and deception, with Rathbone pulling strings from behind the scenes.

In the bustling streets of London, Wang and O’Bannon find themselves at the mercy of a group of street thugs, led by a cunning young urchin named Charlie (Aaron Johnson). As they engage in an epic struggle to reclaim their stolen possessions, they ultimately find themselves behind bars, awaiting the verdict of Scotland Yard. Upon their release, Inspector Artie Doyle (Thomas Fisher) greets them with a mixture of admiration and authority, commending Wang and O’Bannon for their bravery in defeating the notorious Fleet Street gang. Doyle’s eyes light up as he recognizes Roy O’Bannon, the renowned author of his favorite novels, and Wang is stunned to discover that Lin, the notorious assassin, has been imprisoned in Scotland Yard, having attempted to take out Lord Rathbone with a vengeance. As the unlikely trio navigates the labyrinthine corridors of justice, Doyle’s enthusiasm for meeting the real-life Roy O’Bannon proves short-lived, as Wang’s efforts to secure Lin’s release fall flat.

Meanwhile, Lord Rathbone finds himself unexpectedly accompanied by Wu Chow (Donnie Yen), an enigmatic figure with a hidden agenda. As they exchange cryptic remarks and whispers in the shadows of Rathbone’s carriage, the Keeper of the Imperial Seal meets its untimely demise at the hands of Wu Chow. The stakes have never been higher as Roy and Wang stroll through London’s iconic landmarks, taking in the grandeur of Buckingham Palace before stumbling upon an abandoned nobleman’s estate. Charlie, ever the opportunist, sees an opening and invites them to join him on a wild goose chase through the city’s hidden passages.

Donning disguises that would make even the most seasoned illusionists proud, Roy masquerades as Major General “Sherlock Holmes” (a nom de plume born from the face of a clock), while Wang takes on the guise of the Maharaja of Nevada. As they navigate the labyrinthine halls of Lord Rathbone’s private library, they find themselves foiled by his cunning escape route – a secret passage hidden behind a roaring fireplace. Roy finds himself distracted by the ancient text of the Kama Sutra as Wang uncovers the secrets within the mysterious room, where treasures from across the British Empire lie waiting. Just as Rathbone’s guards close in for the kill, Lin makes a daring escape from Scotland Yard and joins forces with his old foes to reclaim the Imperial Seal. The ensuing chaos culminates in a heart-stopping chase through the night, as Wang and Roy commandeering Rathbone’s primitive automobile (a contraption that would not be seen until centuries hence) for a wild ride that ends in a spectacular crash at the iconic Stonehenge.

As Roy lay unconscious following the car crash, his subconscious mind conjured a vivid sexual fantasy featuring Lin and the ancient Indian text, the Kama Sutra. This peculiar reverie sparked a newfound determination within him to pursue her, much to Wang’s dismay. The trio eventually finds themselves at a rundown inn in Whitechapel, where Wang confides in Lin about Roy’s numerous vices and problems, only for Roy to overhear their conversation and be crushed by the betrayal. However, Wang quickly makes amends with Roy by orchestrating an impromptu pillow fight featuring several female prostitutes. Unbeknownst to them, Lin stumbles upon this spectacle, her heart heavy with sorrow at the sight of Roy indulging in such frivolity.

Their revelry is interrupted by Rathbone and a group of boxers, who apprehend the trio and transport them to a covered pier, where they are left bound and helpless. It is here that Wang and Roy finally encounter Wu Chow, his trusted lieutenant Liu (Tom Wu), and his army of Boxers. The cunning leader reveals his grand scheme: Rathbone intends to eliminate the bearer of the Seal and return it to him, which he would use to unite China’s enemies and claim the throne. In exchange, Wu Chow would utilize a Gatling gun to eliminate the British Royal Family, clearing the way for Rathbone, who stands tenth in line to the throne, to ascend to the monarchy.

Meanwhile, Chon Wang and Roy employ Artie Doyle’s innovative investigative technique, deductive reasoning, to track down Charlie. They discover that he has been hiding at Madame Tussauds wax museum, where they reclaim the Seal only to have it stolen by the Boxers. The trio is subsequently arrested for trespassing. However, Charlie (whose full name is revealed to be Charlie Chaplin) breaks them out and they make their way to Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Ball, where the British Royal Family will be in attendance.

As Wang’s quest for vengeance unfolds, he finds himself reunited with Lin and Wu Chow on the fireworks-laden barge, where he exacts swift justice by dispatching Liu and dismantling Wu’s nefarious plan. However, Wu proves to be a formidable martial artist in his own right, outmaneuvering Wang with ease - until Lin arrives just in time to turn the tables, ending Wu’s malevolent schemes with a fireworks rocket that saves Wang from certain defeat. Meanwhile, Artie and Roy infiltrate the prestigious Houses of Parliament, where they intercept Rathbone and thwart his escape. Just as Artie prepares to apprehend the cunning villain, Rathbone strikes first, firing a deadly shot that leaves Artie wounded in the shoulder. Undeterred, Roy and Wang pursue Rathbone up into the iconic Big Ben, engaging him in a thrilling sword fight that sees both combatants trading blows beneath the clock’s majestic face. As Rathbone gains the upper hand, pushing Roy out of the glass front and sending him dangling from one of the clock’s hands, Wang’s rage over his fallen comrades and the memory of his deceased father propels him into a fierce grapple with Rathbone - an encounter that sends both men tumbling through the clock face. Happily, Roy catches Wang as they plummet towards the ground, and together they watch in horror as Rathbone meets his demise. In the aftermath, Roy and Wang decide to take a leap of faith, grasping hold of a majestic British flag draped over Big Ben and landing with aplomb in the carriage containing none other than Queen Victoria herself.

In recognition of their bravery, Roy, Wang, and Artie are all knighted - with Artie’s newfound title being Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Inspired by his deductive reasoning skills, Artie decides to take up writing, crafting stories that showcase his remarkable abilities. With permission from Roy, he proposes using the legendary name “Sherlock Holmes” as inspiration for his literary endeavors. As Lin and Roy share a romantic moment, they contemplate their next move - including the idea of heading to Hollywood to capitalize on the burgeoning motion picture industry (a notion that may seem premature given that cinema was still in its infancy at the time). With Charlie in tow, they set off into the sunset, Wang meanwhile finding solace in the wisdom contained within the box his father had left him. There, he discovers a poignant message that serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of family ties.