Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

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

It's actually a hard film to classify, since in addition to being a crime thriller, it's also a spy film in a pre-war setting and there are elements of human drama and romance that touch on honour, friendship, patriotism and respect. I don't know if that has affected its success among a public that all-too-often tends to pigeonhole the genres it wants to watch. The story begins by following up a long and close friendship, but Cusack arrives too late to save his life. Seeking to avenge him, and also do his job as an undercover American agent, he plunges into the dark world of growing Japanese domination and Chinese resistence in an impressively convincing recreation of pre-war Shanghai (despite being forced to relocate to Bangkok a week before shooting). This brings him into contact with some fascinating characters. There's the charming crime lord, played by Chow Yun Fat in a style reminiscent of Alan Delon, the beautiful but mysterious Gong Li who is so easy to fall in love with, and Ken Watanabe as the head of Japanese intelligence, who is efficient yet still manages to maintain romantic vestiges. The story builds to an exciting and complex crescendo, as Japan attacks Pearl Harbour and takes over the Shanghai international quarter and the individual interests of the main characters come into conflict. It is well worth watching this film to see how it all plays out.

The subject matter is interesting. There is suspense and action and romance. Too bad it didn't get a bigger box office release and reception. Some slight imperfections are there.The cast is good. All top notch Asian actors. Chow and Watanabe add stature. Gong Li is alluring if a little older. Cusack is a bit goofy looking but blends in to the scenes well. Heard Johnny Depp was interested probably would have been worse.The sets are bit too theatrical and lacked a little on location feel.The story is feel good old fashioned adventure romance and not irritating. Sometimes it was hard to catch some of the dialog and because of that got a bit lost. Overall worth watching.

A good selection of actors cant save the fact that being an American made film about the orient is going to obscure the facts and bias the point of view.Trying to make out that the most blood thirsty, violent war mongering country in the world was a mere pass-a-by in WW2 is non-sense.Still, its a detective, romance, rebel uprising set in decadent shanghai makes for the lack of facts. Don't expect a documentary, but it beats watching another of those 999,999 type of American movies about American teenagers in American high school showing how superior America is.

I expected a lot with an international heavy weight cast like this one. All the way to the smallest characters are filled with great actors. The cinematography is excellent and successfully recreates the feel of 40's Shanghai, along with the a secretive atmosphere that enhances the film noir mood. The story moves at a good pace where there isn't a scene too many and you have to keep your mind working to uncover the mysteries Paul Soames is trying to solve.The excellent cast doesn't disappoint, John Cusack is solid and believable as an agent posing as a journalist. It's not hard to understand he would fall for the insanely beautiful Gong Li who seems to have found a fountain of youth somewhere. She plays the role of Anna Lan-Ting with a seductive and secretive flavor which is a joy to watch. Her husband, mob boss Anthony Lan-Ting, is being played by Hong Kong icon Chow Yun Fat who exudes charm and power but still manages to walk the fine line of a character you feel attracted to but also know you should actually stay away from. His performance adds the right amount of flair the production needs. Ken Watanabe plays out his sinister vibe along with a human grace perfectly and Jeffrey dean Morgan is believable as the friend who ended up dead.Instead of a movie about politics and war, it's more about human relations and the different side to people. How people are used and mislead at times like this, and matters of the heart play an important role in the decisions the characters make.If you are open to a movie that makes you think and wonder, you will definitely love 'Shanghai'. The only thing that I did not get into was the romance-angle between John Cusack and Gong Li.... but maybe that's how it's meant to be. It's easy to see why he would fall for her but she, on the other hand, might have a whole different agenda.