1986
PG-13
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
1 h 37 m

1986
PG-13
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
1 h 37 m

Summary Glendon Wasey is a fortune hunter looking for a fast track out of China. Gloria Tatlock is a missionary nurse seeking the curing powers of opium for her patients. Fate sets them on a hectic, exotic, and even romantic quest for stolen drugs. But they are up against every thug and smuggler in Shangai.

Directed By: Jim Goddard

Written By: John Kohn, Robert Bentley, Tony Kenrick

1986
PG-13
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
1 h 37 m

1986
PG-13
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
1 h 37 m

Shanghai Surprise

Name: Shanghai Surprise
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Romance
Released: 1986-08-29
Duration: 1 min 37 s
Rating: 16
Cast: Sean Penn, Madonna, Paul Freeman, Richard Griffiths, Philip Sayer

Metascore Overwhelming Dislike Based on 12 Critic Reviews

User Score Generally Favorable Based on 17 User Ratings

6.1

My Score

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Where to Watch

Directed By: Jim Goddard

Written By: John Kohn, Robert Bentley, Tony Kenrick

Where to Watch

Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Overwhelming Dislike Based on 12 Critic Reviews

0% Positive
0 Reviews

17% Mixed
2 Reviews

83% Negative
10 Reviews

All Reviews
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Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

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Metascore

Overwhelming Dislike Based on 12 Critic Reviews

0% Positive
0 Reviews

17% Mixed
2 Reviews

83% Negative
10 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Chicago Tribune

The main problem here is less a lack of competence than a lack of conviction. No one involved in the film believes for a second in the story that's being told, and so there is no real sense of danger, no suspense, and no warmth in the romantic interludes. Shanghai Surprise must have been meant to be a light-hearted romp, but even a romp requires a touch of substance. [31 Aug 1986, p.8]

By Dave Kehr FULL REVIEW

Miami Herald

The film was conceived and executed as a star vehicle. Wrong stars, wrong roles, not much happening here. And for George Harrison and his Handmade Films, the first big bust. [20 Oct 1986, p.C4]

By Bill Cosford FULL REVIEW

The A.V. Club

Limply, tardily trying to cash in on the success of the Indiana Jones movies.

By Nathan Rabin FULL REVIEW

Variety

But centerstage is the completely illogical relationship between the hustler and missionary. Penn seems game and has energy while Madonna can’t for a moment disguise that her character makes no sense at all.

FULL REVIEW

Time Out

The action is simply an implausible chain of events sensationally strung together, a Saturday morning serial formula which worked for Raiders of the Lost Ark; here, the heavy-handed manipulation of genre ingredients simply results in vulgar, often embarrassing, kitsch.

FULL REVIEW

The New York Times

One of the few things this listless bore of a film makes clear is that Mr. Penn, ever since his hilarious performance as a stoned surfer in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, has been greatly overrated.

By Janet Maslin FULL REVIEW

Los Angeles Times

Even better than opium for avoiding pain is avoiding Shanghai Surprise itself, a movie of jaw-dropping, high-water mark dreadfulness.

By Sheila Benson FULL REVIEW

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User Reviews

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User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 17 User Ratings

6.1

53% Positive
9 Ratings

12% Mixed
2 Ratings

35% Negative
6 Ratings

User Reviews

View All

User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 17 User Ratings

6.1

53% Positive
9 Ratings

12% Mixed
2 Ratings

35% Negative
6 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company HandMade Films, The Vista Organisation

Release Date Aug 29, 1986

Duration 1 h 37 m

Rating PG-13

Genres

Tagline A romantic adventure for the dangerous at heart.

Website http://www.handmadefilms.film/

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Awards

Razzie Awards

• 1 Win & 6 Nominations

The Stinkers Bad Movie Awards

• 1 Nomination

Shanghai Surprise

Where to Watch

Where to Watch

Top Cast

Sean Penn

Glendon Wasey

Madonna

Gloria Tatlock

Paul Freeman

Walter Faraday

Richard Griffiths

Willie Tuttle

Philip Sayer

Justin Kronk

Clyde Kusatsu

Joe Go

Kay Tong Lim

Mei Gan

Sonserai Lee

China Doll

Victor Wong

Ho Chong

Professor Toru Tanaka

Yamagani San

Michael Aldridge

Mr. Burns

Sarah Lam

China Doll's Maid

George She

Wu Ch'En She

Won Gam Bor

Rickshaw King

To Chee Kan

China Doll's Boatman

David Li

Doorman at Zig-Zag Club

Keith Bonnard

Maitre'D at Zig-Zag Club

Claire Lutter

Prostitute

Pamela Yang

Prostitute

Michael Chow

Street Barker

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

User Reviews

User Reviews

User Reviews

User Reviews

Details

Details

Awards

Awards

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