Review of Shaolin (2011) by Alvarie A — 21 Oct 2012

Bloody and overly melodramatic but also very fascinating look at shaolin kung-fu. Whether it is realistic at all, that is a different thing. Well filmed action scenes and nice acting. The characters are well though-of. Music and atmosphere are well done. Even so, I think the film makers should have cut down the drama a bit.

Despite it's philosophical overtones, the film doesn't quite go as deep into Buddhism as I was looking for when the philosophy started to flow in. Even so, the idea of skillful and not skillful actions is there, as is remorse and atonement. It is all still done with style.

Jackie Chan's character lightens the generally dark and heavy atmosphere of this movie, as do the 'ordinary' people who appear in the movie. His fight scene is funny and generally speaking, all the fight scenes are really well filmed in this kung-fu movie.

There is a special features disc on the DVD, but I have not considered it in this review (simple because I haven't watched it yet).

Solid storytelling which proceeds with no hindrances is a bit overshadowed by the abundance of violence and centering on just the one character (the warlord, General Hou played by Andy Lau).

Somehow I was left with the feeling that the film centered overly on violence and indeed, only Chan and the kids together with the philosophical overtones help this movie from becoming a simple hack and slash movie. Really well directed and filmed, and despite its melodrama, it is worth seeing for martial arts enthusiasts!