Review of Shaolin Soccer (2001) by Fuzzy D — 25 Nov 2008

A film of two halves.

First half is funny, witty, ground breaking stuff - a Kung Fu film that you laugh with and not at. I was amazed at the sharpness of the occasionally surreal comedy and of the fast paced and clever script, that surprised and amazed.

However, the scene where our hero chats up the female lead is the 'Jump the Shark' moment, where the film turns from ground breaking to cliched and predictable. All the special effects in the world can't make the final match work, and the whole enemy-team-on-drugs ploy doesn't explain why they are so much better than the shaolin monks.

Anyways, the film is definitely worth watching as all new experiences are to be cherished and honoured. Just beware that, like 'Girl Next Door', it is possible for a film to lose it's rhythm half way and seem cut-and shut...