SHAOLIN SOCCER

OPTIMUM RELEASING

RELEASED 12 November 2004

It’s no understatement to say ‘Shaolin Soccer’ is one crazy movie. An action-comedy from Hong Kong containing the world’s favourite sport played by a kung-fu kicking martial arts team, you will either love or hate this!

Sing (Steven Chow) encounters ‘Golden Leg’ (Ng Man-tat), a former soccer star whose career ended in failure after missing a crucial goal that would’ve earned his team the Chinese National Championship. Sing used to be part of a group of monks who came to modern China to spread the Shaolin way but lost their way. Only Sing still holds the faith, and when ‘Golden Leg’ suggests Sing’s skills with a football should be used to form a team, Sing seeks out his old friends and convinces them to believe again.

If the idea of ‘The Karate Kid’ versus ‘Bend it Like Beckham’ refereed by ‘Airplane!’ appeals to you, then this will be right up your left wing. Laughs come thick and fast, aided by ‘Matrix’-style wire-fu acrobatics and computer graphics. Grass is razed as the ball travels so fast it’s on fire, the opposing team trains underwater, and the goalie moves between the posts like a bouncing bean. There are movie in-jokes such as a ‘Bruce Lee’ yellow outfit, and the water cup vibration scene is taken straight from ‘Jurassic Park’. 

‘Shaolin Soccer’ star Steven Chow also produced, directed, wrote, and edited this manic comedy, and you have to admire the sheer energy he brings to the movie. The film never takes itself seriously, and is completely unselfconscious. It’s silly and ridiculous, and if you watch it in the spirit intended, you’ll have a good time.

THREE OUT OF FIVE