Shaolin Soccer

Name: Shaolin Soccer
Genre: Action, Sport, Comedy
Released: August 15, 2003
Duration: 87 min
Rating: 68
Cast: Stephen Chow, Wei Zhao

2003

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 147 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 147 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: August 15, 2003 | Unrated

Starring: Stephen Chow, Wei Zhao

Summary: At Kung Fu, they're masters. But when it comes to soccer, they're total disasters. Now, the only way to win...is to believe in Shaolin. [Miramax Films]

Director: Stephen Chow

Genre(s): Action, Sport, Comedy

Rating: Unrated

Runtime: 87 min

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Critic Reviews

Janice Page

As goofy action comedies go, Shaolin Soccer is one of the best. Read full review

Michael O'Sullivan

Shaolin Soccer really loves what it mocks, after all, and that grandly goofy affection -- nay, joy -- for all things chop socky is purely, utterly contagious. Read full review

Ray Conlogue

One of Stephen Chow's extravagant and very funny martial-arts spoof movies. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Infectiously entertaining comedy. Read full review

Keith Phipps

The ridiculously entertaining Shaolin Soccer pulls out all the stops to make sure viewers stay happy. Read full review

Michael Wilmington

The movie overflows with action, slapstick and cliches, but the cliches never impede the action, and the slapstick is so expertly performed, it doesn't annoy you -- much. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Maitland McDonagh

The film's much-vaunted stunts are deliberately unrealistic, from over-the-top wire-work to CGI-soccer balls that streak through the air like flaming cannon balls. Read full review

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User Reviews

Kai82

Nov 15, 2020

Kung Fu / martial arts mixed with soccer shouldn't be such an entertaining idea but it creates an experience that is unforgettable and an all out attack on your risible muscles. It is the story of Sing a Kung Fu master who drifts trough life wanting to teach / show society the practical andKung Fu / martial arts mixed with soccer shouldn't be such an entertaining idea but it creates an experience that is unforgettable and an all out attack on your risible muscles. It is the story of Sing a Kung Fu master who drifts trough life wanting to teach / show society the practical and spiritual benefits of Kung Fu. He meets Fung a legendary but now handicapped former soccer star who is betrayed by businessman Hung. Together they try to form a soccer team with Sings former Shaolin brothers. Sounds crazy but works so well. All of them have incredible martial arts skills that they use to outmaneuver their opponents. It is a great parody as special effects were used to enhance the Kung Fu skills to superhuman levels. It has also a sweet lovestory, side blows in many direction (like fair play as soccer is war, sportsware contracts etc.) and an enjoyable villain with Hung and his evil team. Alone the climax with the game against the evil team is worth watching the movie. It helps that they hit the sweet spot between seriousness and goofy parody. The humor works very well and I cant remember a misfire (Remark: There could be things I did not understand because of my European background). It is directed by Stephen Chow who is a legend in Hong Kongs film-industry. He made a hidden gem of martial arts / comedy here. Then we have an excellent cast with lead actor Stephen Chow as Sing, Ng Man-tat as Fung, the Shaolin brothers Wong Yat Fei, Lam Chi Chung, Mok Mei-lam, Tin Kai-man, Danny Chan Kwok Kwan (looks like Bruce Lee) and Zhao Wei as Sings love interest. All nailed their roles and make this movie an incredible experiences. Then there is Patrick Tse as Hung who is so enjoyable diabolic and his menacing evil team. I still have a smile on my face remembering them. Sadly it is an unrecognized or forgotten masterpiece. It was pretty successful and earned high ratings by critics. Overall I was lucky to see this in cinema. It is one of the most entertaining martial arts comedies out there and a must see for its humor and ideas alone.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

YousifA

Sep 22, 2006

This movie the one of the best movies I've ever seen!

0 of 1 users found this helpful

BigMikhael

Dec 7, 2019

Muy comica y trae un buen mensaje de no venderse y confiar en si mismo sabiendo que todos tenemos un potencial

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

clem666

Jun 9, 2021

Totally crazy. 'Shaolin Soccer' is one of those films that creates its own rules to allow itself to exist. It dives into the irrational and the dumbness as it shows absolutely no complex at all. It tries to make very risky jokes, to give birth to characters never seen before and to erect itsTotally crazy. 'Shaolin Soccer' is one of those films that creates its own rules to allow itself to exist. It dives into the irrational and the dumbness as it shows absolutely no complex at all. It tries to make very risky jokes, to give birth to characters never seen before and to erect its plot as the center of a zany, absurd and overly parodic universe. And my goodness, who would have thought that some of the jokes would make me laugh so hard that I had to pause the movie to catch my breath?

If the lighting, the colors and the environments could have been way more worked, the general atmosphere and the conviction of the characters make it a impressive film without any doubt. CGI is not that bad despite the time seprating us from 2003. Clearly a movie that will make you live an unforgettable night with your friends! You don't even have to enjoy soccer in order to realize that 'Shaolin Soccer' is a misunderstood piece of work. You simply can't remain untouched by the final result, the turn of events or the surprising inequality of the acting performances.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RONGIU

Oct 11, 2011

Sorry, translation Italian - English mechanical Six bros soccer pros. A "freestyle soccer" delightful and contagious.

Gray, ashy, dull, dull, leaden. These are just some of the colors that cover the human soul corrupt and insatiable of glory, power and deification pfui! :-||/. TheSorry, translation Italian - English mechanical Six bros soccer pros. A "freestyle soccer" delightful and contagious.

Gray, ashy, dull, dull, leaden. These are just some of the colors that cover the human soul corrupt and insatiable of glory, power and deification pfui! :-||/. The director-star "leg of steel" Stephen Chow / is so present to the general public "Golden Leg Fung" Ng Man-Tat / young idol of the country, "the bug". Unlike the "Bombyx" that extrudes the proteins to give body to a wonderful cocoon, our Golden Leg seritteri soul secrete the invisible threads of dishonesty that profoundly alter the deeper meaning of a sport, and beautiful group, which by its nature is classified as "game". He is there, in front of the goalkeeper. Eleven meters separate it from a consecration that everyone is waiting, all they want. With the raised arm salutes the cheering crowd. It 'a riot, a waving of flags and banners that move with hopeful confidence. But the path is well traced in the heart and mind of the designer from the belly forward. The idol of thousands of children are to autograph his last penalty kick. We read that the Galilean law of falling bodies is true only in the empty stadium, unfortunately, "Golden Leg" at the moment it is not. The crowd is angry, the consequences are disastrous. So begins this fantastic, brilliant, extraordinary, wonderful love story. Yes Just so I understand. ... Love and all that. Smack! ;-) /

A real team, take care of everything, is formed by a group. This group reach their goals if its members are highly motivated. Needless to say, that motivation alone is not enough. The objectives in addition to being very clear to all you have to internalize them, make their own. Thus become a vital center for the existence of the same group. And then ... and then we need a leader, emotionally mature Fiiihiu! :-D / who should be able to hold together the components of the team ensuring in particular the relational aspect. Squash! /:-D

Who is our leader? What is your dream? The leader is Sing Stephen Chow / "leg of steel". The dream is firmly convinced that the spirit of Shaolin can be applied in all fields of knowledge and know-how of man. Sing, is the fifth of six children he has not seen for some time, they also experts in Shaolin Kung Fu. The best thing to do, think, is contact them. Show them the validity of his theories, it also means to reunite a family in temporary migration, which has retained the spirit of ancient traditions. Start looking for them. I try to introduce other "five bros soccer pros" ^ _ ^ â… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Fixer84

Mar 31, 2023

Perhaps the best film that combines sport with comedy. Had it come out today, it would have rocked.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TTT

Jul 21, 2011

This film is very funny

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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