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Movies / On DVD / Shaolin Soccer
Shaolin Soccer

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Shaolin Soccer (2002)

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Reviews Counted:87

Fresh:79

Rotten:8

Average Rating:7.1/10

Consensus: The plot is utterly ridiculous, and the soccer in the movie is unlike any ever played anywhere on Earth, but watching Shaolin Soccer, you will probably find it impossible to care.

Rated: 12A [See Full Rating] for martial arts action and some thematic elements

Runtime: 1 hr 51 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:12-11-2004

Synopsis: The action comedy SHAOLIN SOCCER has become the all-time most successful Hong Kong production ever--in part due to its eye-popping action, crazy special effects and wicked humor. The film has... The action comedy SHAOLIN SOCCER has become the all-time most successful Hong Kong production ever--in part due to its eye-popping action, crazy special effects and wicked humor. The film has shattered box office figures throughout Asia and has won many awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Visual Effects at the Hong Kong Film Awards.

Stephen Chow, who has appeared in over 50 films, is arguably, the most famous and loved comedian in Asia today. Often referred to as the "Jim Carrey of the East," Chow has made 5 of the top 10 highest grossing films in Hong Kong, with SHAOLIN SOCCER being #1. Chow is most known for his clever parodies and has used his razor-sharp wit to spoof James Bond ("From Beijing with Love"), Chow Yun Fat ("All for the Winner"), Bruce Lee ("Fist of Fury '91"), and even himself ("Forbidden City Cop"). This multi-talented comedian produced, directed, wrote, and edited SHAOLIN SOCCER as well as acted in the lead role, performing his own stunts.

Shaolin was an art practiced through the ages; a skill mastered in the heart. In SHAOLIN SOCCER, it is so much more than a philosophy for six young believers. It is a complete way of life. But as the world changed around them, and Honor and Discipline become forgotten virtues, they lose their way --except for one loyal follower, Sing (Chow). With the help of a former soccer star, he reunites his old, out of shape, misfit friends, and recruits a young woman with extraordinary Kung Fu skills. Together, they're out to combine the ancient power of Shaolin with the modern game of soccer and in the process, just might take the world's most popular sport to its most extreme. -- © Miramax [More]

Starring: Stephen Chow, Vicky Zhao Wei, Ng Man-Tat, Cecilia Cheung

Starring: Stephen Chow, Vicky Zhao Wei, Ng Man-Tat, Cecilia Cheung, Lau Kar-Ying, Karen Mok, Alan Tam

Director: Stephen Chow

Director: Stephen Chow
Screenwriter: Stephen Chow, Tseng Kan Cheong
Producer: Yeong Kwok Fa
Composer: Raymond Wong
Studio: Miramax Films

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for Shaolin Soccer

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
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Provided Chow survives being 'Miramaxed', you're looking at the next big Asian star to rise in the West.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
08/01/08
Leigh Singer
Leigh Singer
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

You could call it a guilty pleasure, but that would suggest you feel bad about enjoying yourself.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A movie as empty-headed as your average Premier League player, but that doesn’t matter when the footie scenes are so fun and deliriously OTT.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
04/01/06
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Not the classic it claims to be.

Full Review Source: FilmFocus | comment 1 Comment
11/14/04
Joe Utichi
Joe Utichi
FilmFocus

The whole film is played with such an infectious sense of fun and at such a snappy pace that you can’t help being swept along by it.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
11/13/04
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

Funny and warm.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
10/30/04
Jonathan Trout
Jonathan Trout
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Kung Fu and sports movies collide in writer/director/actor Stephen Chow's devilishly entertaining Honk Kong action movie.

Full Review Source: ColeSmithey.com | comment Comment
05/05/09
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
10/18/08
Joe Lozito
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound

It so deliriously riffs on everything from The Bad News Bears and Jurassic Park to super heroes and break dancing that it's hard not to get caught up in the goofy fun.

Full Review Source: Paste Magazine | comment Comment
06/03/08
Robert Davis
Robert Davis
Paste Magazine

A spirited crowd-pleaser.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
03/26/07
J. R. Jones
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader

...as logical and giddy as a second grade classroom.

Full Review Source: www.kcactive.com | comment Comment
07/25/05
Uri Lessing
Uri Lessing
www.kcactive.com

A hard chestnut to swallow.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
06/20/05
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

None of this is meant to be taken seriously or even thought about. So just turn off your brain and enjoy the silliness.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
05/27/05
Jeff Vice
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

A fall-out-of-the-chair, funny movie!

Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | comment Comment
05/24/05
Ross Anthony
Ross Anthony
Hollywood Report Card

A blitzkrieg of hilarious kung fu craziness.

Full Review Source: Lessons of Darkness | comment Comment
05/02/05
Nick Schager
Nick Schager
Lessons of Darkness

No doubt there are sports pedants who will find themselves echoing the sentiments of one exasperated opponent as he exclaims "Please don't play like this! I really want to play soccer!" -- but everyone else will be too busy grinning...to care very much.

Full Review Source: Movie Gazette | comment Comment
11/19/04
Anton Bitel
Anton Bitel
Movie Gazette

Até mesmo os efeitos visuais cartunescos se adequam ao tom de fantasia desta produção que, justamente por não se levar a sério, é surpreendentemente hilária.

comment Comment
10/25/04
Pablo Villaca
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena

A movie that rises to dizzying heights of silliness before soaring into the silly stratosphere, Shaolin Soccer is pure fun.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
08/19/04
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

May be the funniest out-and-out comedy of the summer.

Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | comment Comment
08/13/04
Jay Boyar
Jay Boyar
Orlando Sentinel

Over-the-top mugging defines the story of a ragtag soccer team that uses Shaolin kung fu to vanquish its foes on the field.

Full Review Source: Orlando Weekly | comment Comment
08/12/04
Steve Schneider
Steve Schneider
Orlando Weekly
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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all

Latest News for Shaolin Soccer

July 24, 2007: Seth Rogen Wants Stephen Chow as His Green Hornet Sidekick
If the idea of Seth Rogen as a superhero sounds a little crazy, well, it is. But at least the guy has good taste in co-stars. He'd like to get Stephen Chow to play 'sidekick' Kato. More...

January 07, 2005: Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle Breaking B.O. Records
Stephen Chow's "Kung Fu Hustle" is breaking box office records across Asia, Variety reports. On its Dec. 24th opening day in Singapore, "Hustle" set the... More...

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