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Shanghai Surprise (1986)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 2.3/10
Reviews Counted: 7
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 6

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Release Date: Aug 29, 1986 Wide

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Average Rating: 2/5
User Ratings: 5,520

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Movie Info

Madonna and Sean Penn, who were husband and wife at the time, starred in this notorious box-office bomb that one critic termed "Flop Suey." The film takes place in 1937, during the Japanese occupation of China. Drug runner Walter Faraday (Paul Freeman) is trying to leave the country with a large stash of opium but he is chased by armed guards and killed. A year passes and missionary Gloria Tatlock (Madonna) hires sleazy American con man Glendon Wasey (Sean Penn) to help her find the missing

PG-13, 1 hr. 30 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Comedy

Directed By: Jim Goddard

In Theaters: Aug 29, 1986 Wide

On DVD: Jul 22, 2003

Vestron Video

Shanghai Surprise Trailer & Photos

Cast

Sean Penn
Glendon Wasey
Madonna
Gloria Tatlock
Paul Freeman
Walter Faraday/Father B...
Richard Griffiths
Willie Tuttle
Philip Sayer
Justin Kronk
Clyde Kusatsu
Joe Go
Sonserai Lee
China Doll
Prof. Toru Tanaka
Yamagani San
Michael Aldridge
Mr. Burns
Sarah Lam
China Doll's maid
Won Gam Bor
Rickshaw King
Michael Chow
Street Barker
To Chee Kan
China Doll's Boatman
Kay Tong Lim
Mei Gan
George She
Wu Ch'En She
Philip Tan
Ship's Officer
George Harrison
Nightclub Singer
Keith Bonnard
Maitre'D at Zig-Zag Clu...
David Li
Doorman at Zig-Zag Club
Claire Lutter
Prostitute
Samuel Tsao
Street Barker
Pamela Yang
Prostitute
Victor Wong
Ho Chong

Critic Reviews for Shanghai Surprise

All Critics (13) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (1) | Rotten (8) | DVD (9)

Madonna's incompetent performance secured her reputation as a no-talent actress...and, to date, she still hasn't been able to shake that reputation.

April 10, 2007 Full Review Source: EDGE Boston

| Comment

Phil Hall

EDGE Boston

Striking visuals and some good George Harrison songs can't save it.

October 15, 2003 Comment

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

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Audience Reviews for Shanghai Surprise

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So so so boring, I caught this on TV last night, and I couldn't even understand what Penn was saying or what they were supposed to be doing in the movie. The story is ridiculous and I'm like it's supposed to be a romance or what? It was too boring for me to care, so I switched channels before the end. Stay away from this movie, it's just horrendous.

February 14, 2011

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

I really don't know where to start... and I really don't know where to end! This balant Indiana Jones/ Romancing the Stone rip-off is one of the most tedious, tiresome, and dull films I've ever seen. I'm pretty sure that's all that really needs to be said.

November 12, 2007