Review of Shaolin (2011) by Movie K — 20 Feb 2011

Very nice and enjoyable movie. Action set piece is good. Andy Lau is a general. Nicholas Tse is his right hand man. He is chasing an enemy who seek refuge in Shaolin temple. He fights but isn't the match of Wu Jing and draws his gun, but he did not fire.

Andy came and wants the monks to hand the man to him which they refuse. The man surrenders and give a treasure map to Andy for his life. He took it and everyone thought it is safe. He shot the man dead.

During the victory parade, he told Nicholas to show no compassion next time when he is leading the enemy. Andy's sworn brother isn't in the war and only came when it is time to distribute the land.

He saw how nice Andy daughter is and propose their children get engaged. Andy ask Nicholas to arrange a dinner for the matter and also seize the chance to kill the brother. A few monks decided to be hero bandits that steal rice and give to the poor, amongst them Yu Xing.

When the kill attempt is to begin, a note is send to the brother. He ask the wives and childrens to leave for toilet. He confront Andy why try to kill him. A group of killers start attacking the soldiers, the family and also Andy.

Some monks save Fan Bingbing, wife of Andy. He managed to fend off the attackers and save his daughter who got knock down by carriage. The set up is by Nicholas. They are chase to the mountains and Andy grab his daughter before the crash landing of their carriage.

The bandits place Bingbing at the temple doorstep but Wu Jing saw them. Next day, Andy bing the dughter to temple for help but its too late. He went berserk and was subdue by the monks. He awakens and venture outside, only to fall into a pit trap set by Jackie Chan, a monk that cooks in the kitchen.

Andy has his daughter cremate and cut off his hair, decide to be monk. The abbott give him the chance. Andy slowly learns and repent. Nicholas in power allows the westerners to build railway and also let them have the country relics and treasures in exchange for weapons.

Andy walk into the woods and saw piles of dead bodies and people digging. He scold off the soldiers and got to know what Nicholas is doing. People are killed after digging. Many people are held in prison.

News of Andy alive spread and the soldiers barges in to temple. Andy try to delay time for Wu Jing and others to save the prisoners. Nicholas bring back Andy and want the abbott tie up. Bingbing is capture and he drowns her in Andy's presence.

The breakout is known and Nicholas left. Andy save Bingbing in time. Wu Jing is drop kick to the face by the top killer Xiong Xin Xin. He get everyone out and close the gate. Nicholas shoots him and he fights on.

He grab 2 bayonet and slash Wu Jing terribly, fatal pierce right through the gate. Jackie and the little monks walks out to distribute buns, the soldiers give warning shots but to no avail. They are nearly touched by what they say when the army captain commands them back.

Jackie is force to fight them and save the abbott. They must leave the temple and Andy task Jackie to lead the refugees out. Nicholas and his troops attack temple and he fights Andy. Yu Xing fight with Xin Xin, both die together.

Andy win Nicholas first round, but he fake his defeat and continues. The westerners fire cannons at the temple to kill all. Andy save Nicholas from falling. Then a wooden block fell and he save him again.

Nicholas wonders why. Then the impact of the explosion sweep them down. Andy drop to the giant buddha palms and die. The abbott remains to fend off the baddies but is shot dead. It was a total chaos massacre.

The escaped monks defeated the westerners. Jackie and the survivors sadden to see the temple ruin. Bingbing refresh Andy speech to her. He gave the ash to her. Nicholas is gotta be regretful.