Shanghai Surprise

RS: 1of 4 Stars

Adventure

Perhaps the least eagerly awaited DVD in history, Shanghai Surprise was the box-office bomb that was supposed to kill Madonna's career, back before we knew Madonna was destined to make a whole career out of career-killers. She plays a Christian missionary in 1937 Shanghai, hooking up with lowlife Sean "First Husband" Penn. As god-awful Madonna movies go, it's nowhere near as much fun as Who's That Girl? No extras here, but you can create your own Madonna commentary track just by cranking up "Love Don't Live Here Anymore."

ROB SHEFFIELD
(August 28, 2003)