Kung Fu Repackaged
Shaolin Soccer
Review Review by Ross Anthony

So impressed with "Kung Fu Hustle" was I that I went right out and rented "Shaolin Soccer."

What a wonderful film! Yes, funny! Don't be confused, this is a comedy, not really a sports film at all. And not quite a martial arts flick. Writer/Actor/Director Stephen Chow has "repackaged" Kung Fu to bring a smile to your face and a howl to your belly. I laughed so hard I slapped my knee and the knee of my friend.

The film has the feel of "The Longest Yard" or "Blues Brothers." Recruiting the "team" comprises most of the movie. Chow, seeking some other more commercial application of his Kung Fu expertise, stumbles across an old soccer coach looking for a job.

Though very strong, the film still has its less than perfect moments. Perhaps I missed something in the English subtitles, but the build up to the moment of Kung Fu power re-birth for the brothers caught me by surprise. I would have expected more tease toward that. And lastly, and somewhat surprisingly, while the actual soccer competitions are fun at first, they go just a tad long.

Still this a fall-out-of-the-chair fun movie. After you rent this, you've got to see "Kung Fu Hustle" as well. I'll be eagerly anticipating Stephen's next flick.


  • Shaolin Soccer. Copyright © 2005.
  • Starring Stephen Chiau Sing-chi, Vicky Zhao-wei, Mang-tat Ng, Wong Yet-fai, Patrick Tse Yin, Chan Kwok-kuen, Karen Mok Man-wai, Cecilia Cheung Pak.
  • Directed by Stephen Chiau Sing-chi.
  • Screenplay by Stephen Chiau Sing-chi, Tsang Kan-cheung.
  • Produced by Stephen Chiau Sing-chi, Yeung Kwok-fai at Universe/Star Overseas Ltd .

Grade..........................A- (3/4)

Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.

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Last Modified: Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 07:53:35 PDT