You're probably getting the idea that I'm easy. 

What I mean is, so far in "Mo at the Movies", I've basically liked every movie I've reviewed. This is partially because I usually avoid movies I know will suck (like Battlefield Earth, so help me) or movies that just aren't my bag, baby. 

But don't get me wrong. There are plenty of movies I don't like. To wit: the original Mission: Impossible is mission: incomprehensible. The English Patient is boring as hell. The Thin Red Line is boring as hell AND redundant. Breakfast at Tiffany's annoys me, and Audrey Hepburn annoys me in it. Aside from the music, I don't like the cartoon version of Hamlet (uh, I mean, The Lion King). Phil Collins almost ruins Tarzan. Austin Powers II sucks, and I say that as a huge Mike Myers fan. And Batman and Robin is so bad, it is almost impossible to make fun of. (We managed, though.) 

So, we've established that I'm not easy, and I'm perfectly willing to say that a movie sucks. Of course, I'm unwilling to say that about Shanghai Noon, which is an adorable movie that's really a lot of fun. Sorry about that. 

I don't think I've ever seen a Jackie Chan film, as they usually fit into the category of "not my bag." But I had heard good things, and the commercials made it look worthwhile, and I was willing to give it a shot.

How cute is Owen Wilson in this film? Oh, he's way cute. And did you know that he wrote or improvised much of his own dialogue? The humor is... well, what's the opposite of derivative? Original. That's it. Take a stale genre like the Wild Wild West and you'd expect the same tired old schtick. But all you have to do is watch the bizarre "Chinese drinking game" scene and you'll realize that the schtick is nowhere to he found. 

Of course, Jackie Chan is spectacular in the action sequences. When he utilizes foliage or a horseshoe on a rope, you see some moves you've never seen anywhere else. And there's that word again. Original. 

Of course, I can't let the movie get off scot free. Lucy Liu, who I just love, is unfortunately underutilized. The plot sort of derails a couple of times: too many villains, too many shifting alliances. And despite the overall brisk pace, there are a couple of points where it drags. But in keeping with my recent reviewing trend, these are minor criticisms of an otherwise enjoyable film.

And that Owen Wilson, man. How CUTE is he?