Synopsis
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.
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Cast
- MadonnaGloria Tatlock
- Sean PennGlendon Wasey
- Paul FreemanWalter Faraday
- Richard GriffithsWillie Tuttle
- Clyde KusatsuJoe Go
- Philip SayerJustin Kronk
- Lim Kay TongMei Gan
- Victor WongHo Chong
- Professor Toru TanakaYamagani San
- Michael AldridgeMr. Burns
Recommendations
- 50
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] - 40
TV Guide Magazine
Penn and Madonna both do a fine job with their roles, the supporting roles are excellent, the direction is passable, the camera work and art direction are accomplished, and the script mindless and predictable. There's nothing to create outrage, and there's nothing to stimulate excitement, which is probably why there was no substantial interest in SHANGHAI SURPRISE. - 25
Entertainment Weekly
Some bad films become kitschy-cool with age, but Shanghai Surprise continues to rot. - 25
The A.V. Club
Limply, tardily trying to cash in on the success of the Indiana Jones movies. - 25
Chicago Tribune
A shockingly bad film because of its total misuse of two talented performers, Sean Penn and Madonna. [5 Sept 1986, p.A] - 20
Empire
Really, really bad. Production company-destroyingly bad. - 20
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. - 20
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.
