Shaolin Soccer

Stephen Chow writes, directs and stars in probably his funniest and most accessible (to Western audiences, at least) film to date.

Sing (Chow) is trying to find a way to encourage his countrymen to re-embrace their Shaolin kung fu heritage. When he meets down-at-heel ex-soccer coach Fung (Ng), the pair hatch a plan to form a soccer team with Sing's Shaolin brothers. Unfortunately, these guys have lost their kung fu skills. Sing resolves to help his brothers regain their dignity, then lead them into a championship showdown with the seemingly unstoppable Evil Team. He also finds time to fall in love with Tai-Chi baker Mui (the usually lovely Vicki Zhao), who gets some of the funniest scenes in the movie.

As a non-Chinese speaker, my experience with Chow's previous films is patchy, his wordplay humour rarely making a decent transition to subtitles. The comedy here though is mostly physical, possibly even deliberately geared more towards a Western market. The plot - however clichéd - is a pleasing tale of underdogs made good, and the movie has a definite feelgood feel and uplifting ending. Even the CG is impressive and well used. It's the most entertaining movie I've seen in ages.

I was watching the Universe DVD. Subs are decent enough, without too many typos, and the 'making of' and other extras have English subs also.

Or: the funniest movie I've seen this decade! I was expecting a moderate little asian comedy worthy about an IMDB 7 TOPS, but at the end, I was forced to give this 9 points! See, no other comedy has actually brought me to tears laughing in recent history! Either mr. Chow is a genius or he's one lucky sonova. See, "Shaolin soccer" just happens to press all the right buttons, and in right places! In the little "relief" spots it's as dramatic as it's supposed to be, and the rest, it's big, big, BIG laughs all the way. HIGHLY recommended! P.S. If you don't like this movie, your heart must be made of stone and you have absolutely NO sense of humour. My condolences.

KUNG FU + SOCCER = lots of laughs!!

Funny funny funny. And that's coming from a non-soccer fan.

Great performances here in this blend of comedy and high flying soccer action. Stephen Chow as Sing packs one hell of a kick!! His chemistry with Ng Man Tat (Golden Leg) is natural as it is in most of their films together. Plus, Sing's Shaolin brothers provide for a lot of comic relief!! From their soccer training to the championship game, there are really cool kung fu soccer shots, a mix of Matrix/Crouch Tiger special effects and it delivers. Oh, and Vicki Zhao literally steals this in the end (you have to see it).

The Bruce Lee goalie scene is priceless. This movie can definitely be watched several times with even more satisfaction!

I've seen this movie many, many, many, many, many & many times. A friend recommended this to me and unfortunately that's still the only way people in europe know about this movie: from mouth to mouth. Absolutely one of the most brilliant comedies i've ever seen. Must see. Won't tell anything else.

Although the Sports Comedy genre is often plagued with cliché and is usually only for the most strict of fans, you definitely don't have to be a Soccer/Football fan to enjoy Shaolin Soccer, It helps if you enjoy the idea of a silly (but not stupid or bad) Martial Arts Flick.

Compared to films of director Stephen Chow's past (King of Comedy, God of Cookery), Shaolin Soccer is a much greater visual treat. Although he's not exactly from brilliant yet, the direction has improved vastly. And the new CG scenes are often amusing and visually interesting demanding repetitive viewings.

While the film is fun and generally smart, it falls prey to a bit of an obvious story, of course this is one of those little-plot high-laugh comedies, One can't help be feel bogged down by some of the love plot, which unlike a lot of the soccer field action, it's totally predictable and at times is a bore.

If you must see Shaolin Soccer, be sure to watch it with it's original language and subtitles. The American English version had many of the films funniest scenes cut to make the film more PG-13 rating. Watch it in it's uncut version to see one of the funniest and most enjoyable Sports-Martial Arts-Comedy of the 2000's.