Review of Shaolin (2011) by Trent R — 05 Feb 2011

Entertaining rehash of the familiar burning of Shaolin Temple, with excellent Yuen Clan choreography. It more resembles the `60s and `70s Burning of Shaolin Temple films than the `80s Jet Li classic, although there is greater emphasis on action and pace than many such versions. However, the storytelling does have a clever mix of humor and melodrama closer to the non-blazing Shaolin tales - without too much self-consciousness or epic pretension.

Jackie Chan is featured very well in a supporting role as Wu Dao, aka ""Martial Way" - an obvious reference to his capacity for unintentional mastery through immersion in the everyday. Embodying principles of humility and non-violence, his character is identified with children and childlike sensibilities. Which also allows opportunity for him to show off his comedic kung fu cooking skills in a melodramatic context that has just enough levity to relieve the often too somber last act.

Be forewarned, some truly harrowing horse falls bookend the action set pieces at either end of the film. We are talking a classic Hollywood level of brutality here, so sensitive viewers may wish to wait for international edits of the film which would likely omit them. This is well worth seeing nonetheless, as a pop retelling of a classic tale that does not forget to tell a human story in the middle of all the action and epic drama.