a5c7b9f00b A young Shaolin follower reunites with his discouraged brothers to form a soccer team using their martial art skills to their advantage. Sing is a skilled Shaolin kung fu devotee whose amazing "leg of steel" catches the eye of a soccer coach. Together they assemble a squad of Sing's former Shaolin brothers, inspired by the big-money prize in a national soccer competition. Using an unlikely mix of martial arts and newfound soccer skills, it seems an unbeatable combination until they face the dreaded Team Evil in the ultimate battle for the title. Well, I'll be pretty short: The movie itself features gorgeous special effects, noticeable especially because this is a Chinese movie. I liked the humor alot, and I've jumped quickly over the dramatic scenes which couldn't miss from the movie :). Very impressing effort from the movie makers, they managed to put together great action and traditional fantasy, all built on an exotic mix: soccer and shaolin fighting techniques. Such a movie was expected after many animated series featuring handball or the bunch of Sega, Nintendo and Gameboy games based on soccer (as many of you might know, such games were always packed with 'special moves' and 'special characters').<br/><br/>It's a movie you have to see! "Shaolin Soccer" is pure enjoyment. From the opening theme music (which is the same theme used in Bruce Lee's "Way of the Dragon") to the final image, the film continually charms. Hong Kong superstar Stephen Chow has managed to continue his comedic style, but has toned down his dialect humor in favor of a more straight forward approach.<br/><br/>The comedy within the film is not high brow by any means. However, the film succeeds in winning the viewer over with it's wonderfully enchanting special effects, and the performances by the leads. The entire cast turn in good performances. The script, and (especially) the Direction push the film over the top. This is simple one of the most enjoyable films I've seen this year. With it's message of striving towards one's goal, and a belief outside of oneself, this would make for an enjoyable family film.<br/><br/>If you have the chance to see it, do so. You will not be disappointed. The movie has a rambunctious and likable energy that compensates for its unsteady, only intermittently amusing narrative. Basically there are three different versions around. First of all one has to differentiate between the original Hong Kong Theatrical Version and the Director's Cut. The latter features two extended scenes and some outtakes before the end credits and runs approx. 10 minutes longer than the Theatrical Version.<br/><br/>There's also an International Cut available that runs more than 20 minutes shorter than the Asian versions. More than a 100 scenes were altered. At the end of the movie, Team Shaolin defeated Team Evil and won the championship. Sing's cyclone kick scored the winning goal. This can be clearly seen on the scoreboard during the final Trophy ceremony. Although many people believe Team Evil was leading 1-0 prior to Sing's cyclone kick, this is also not true. When the Team Evil player kicked the ball into Empty Hands' face and knocked him through the goal, the ball did not enter the net.
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