CORPORATE LINE: Hong Kong satirist Stephen Chow wrote, directed, and stars in this spoof of sports and kung fu movie cliches. Chow plays “Mighty Steel Leg” Sing, who can kick soda cans through walls, and is a natural soccer star in the eyes of crippled coach Fung (Patrick Se Yin), who is looking to challenge his arch rival Hung, the captain of the aptly named Evil Team. Recruiting Sing and his goofy brothers who all have names like Steel Head, Hook Kick Leg, and Weight Vest (with qualities to match), Hung’s team soon rises through the ranks via their supernatural Kung Fu soccer skills. There’s also a love interest in the form of a shy girl (Vicki Zhao Wei) who uses martial arts magic in making steamed bread.
THE FILM: Shaolin Soccer reminds me a lot of the Bad News Bears with martial arts and soccer. Every element that has been used dozens of times in other films but doesn’t always work, Shaolin Soccer has its moments.
The storyline has a feel good theme about working to achieve a goal and following it through. Sure, it’s overdone, but Shaolin Soccer makes it fun by mixing comedy, sincerity with complete absurdity. The Matrix style effects will be enjoyed by kids perhaps more than adults.
DVD FEATURES: Features? What features?
FRANKLY: Miramax made quite a bit of cuts to the original version—thankfully they include the full, unedited original. Shaolin Soccer is a wonderful popcorn flick. And if you need a film your kids will watch over and over again you can’t go wrong with a Matrix-style film they can watch.
+ Charlie Craine
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