Kids from Shaolin

I just bought this movie on DVD, mainly because of Jet-Li and my goal to get most of his movies, but also because I like martial arts films and the way they tell a story different, especially in the earlier ones.

This story appealed to me for the very reason that others think its bad, I like the funny interludes and the interwoven stories. I also think that the kids are really fun and worthwhile to look at. My only regret is that they as per usual, draw the fights out forever, but at the same time that is part of the charm I guess.

I wish the DVD or IMDb would have had a better casting with pictures since I simply cannot read the Chinese and I really would like to know other movies that the tomboy girl had played in, if anyone knows her name, i would appreciate an email :-)

All in all, quite an OK movie with good kung-fu with a "no harm done" stamp.

What this film lacks in plot, cunning script and subtlety, it more than makes up for in stunning Kung Fu action and amazing acrobatics from every member of the cast (however young). It's 'Romeo & Juliet'-esque storyline is cliched and quite predictable but the the film is worth a watch simply in order to wonder 'How did Jet Li do that?'.

This film lives up to the Shaolin Temple series and again Pan delivers and amazing performance, I mean how great of a guy is he. He is genuine top class wushu material. What can I say, I just love the guy, almost as much as Q-tip's "Vivrant Thing." I hope to see another film of his soon.

Many of my friends who I have convinced to check this movie out are ready to chase me out the house after watching the opening scene and singing, but after watching the fight scenes they usually gain a little more respect for the movie. Although many of the same actors showed up from the original Shaolin Temple, the storyline is completely different, and the tone of part 2 is lighthearted, which may turn many off. This movie is one of my all-time favorite martial arts films because I haven't found many films that highlight young children sparring off (besides the "My Father is a Hero" boy who's name I forgot) and I personally love to see the women get in the action. The last fight scene is great, but what did it for me was the children's competition. Seeing them play fight in animal styles was magic. A good movie, my friends who hated on this movie just felt like a "kiddie" movie like this was an assault on their manhood

Like the first Jet Li's movie, the Shaolin Temple (1979), this movie is also excellent in that all actors are professional martial arts athletes of Chinese national and provincial teams, including the boys and girls from the national/provincial junior teams. Hence, all moves are realistic and there is no stunts, no cranes, no cable, no fakes, and no special effects like Jet Li's later works such as Lethal Weapon 4. As martial arts flicks in China developed, it inevitably took the similar road to that of Hong Kong and Taiwan with increasing fakes, and earlier flicks like this is thus really a masterpiece in comparison.