Best movie of this year hands down!

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

OK, it's not a classic, not every movie is, but if you just want to see a tongue-in-cheek romantic comedy you could do worse.The music of George Harrison helps and I, for one, kinda' liked this unpretentious little movie.Not many movies were being made about China in 1986 and being set in 1938 during the Japanese occupation adds some historic appeal. The plot, although unbelievable, is not really predictable and some of the supporting characters are interesting to say the least.If you want to see a "great movie" then watch something else but if you like a fun movie with a few twists and turns then Shanghai Surprise might be just right.

In 1938 China, a pretty but prim missionary needs to find a hidden stash of smuggled opium (for medicinal purposes!) and attempts to recruit the help of a ratty-looking con-man; his latest get-rich-quick scheme is glow-in-the-dark ties! After an OK opening (without Sean Penn and Madonna), this falls completely apart, weighed down by lethargic attempts at screwball comedy and no chemistry whatsoever between the leads (then a married couple). Based on Tony Kenrick's novel "Faraday's Flowers" (a better title), this failure from George Harrison's HandMade Films must have been a devastating blow to the ex-Beatle, who also executive produced, co-wrote the score and wrote and performed the songs (which are heavy on the camp-Asian allure). Just getting through the picture is a chore, and everything about it seems eternally misjudged. NO STARS from ****

One of the biggest history flops. Why? It's not easy to answer. Madonna has just become the queen of pop thanks to her top-selling album "Like A Virgin" and she has already been considered a hot actress thanks to the huge success of "Desperately Seeking Susan". So everyone was waiting for her next step. The following album left everyone breathless: "True Blue" became her greatest success ever selling over 23 millions copies, but her next movie was going' to be one of the biggest flop of movie industry. Her partner was Sean Penn, then her real life partner ( they got married the previous year), the director was the legendary member of The Beatles George Harrison, but the movie was a disaster since the beginning: she described it as a surviving test, 'cause weather conditions were terrible and paparazzi were always following them ( Madonna and Sean Penn) wherever they were going. She states: " We were very disappointed. We want to make a love movie, they cut all dramatic scenes and make it an action movie. They have cut all my best scenes, my character seems to be without personality now". Sean Penn said to his friend Chrissie Hunde: "Please don't watch it, as you're my friend and I don't want you to watch it". For all those thing, I recommend it!

What is it with bad reviews and pop stars who cannot act, huh? And this is the 80s! Did you think things would be different back in the day? Huh? I guess not! But I'm not one of those people - I do adore movies whose stars are none other than pop stars! It gives me a great chance to see pop stars in action - doing things that we cannot see on the radio because there's no screen on a radio! LOL However, there are screens on a television and a movie auditorium, and I can see the pop stars there! So why give negative reviews on movies like these when people like us give positive reviews? This movie is an 11 out of 10 stars!