Let's be realistic.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Blistering performances.

SHAOLIN SOCCER is a real mixed bag of a film, that is both wildly uneven and wildly entertaining. Starting off on very dodgy, unfamiliar ground (if you think Jackie Chan's style of comedy is bizarre, you've seen nothing), I began by wondering what on earth I was watching. However, once the film gets onto the subject of football (about 45 minutes in), things start to get really good, as the typically inept group of kung fu fighters form a team and get ready for one heck of a match.Stephen Chow throws in plenty of diverse elements to keep the viewers watching, from numerous references to films (e.g. THE MATRIX) and actors – including a goalie who's the reincarnation of Bruce Lee. The comedy is of the hit and miss variety but there are some genuinely funny moments, which tend to be the most bizarre of the film – including the 'egg' joke which has to be seen to be believed. The acting is fine, if a little over the top (but in light of the film as a whole, how could it not be?) and the special effects, done using CGI, are fantastic.The strength of this film lies in the football matches. There are about five spread throughout the film and they're brilliant; if you've ever wanted to see players flying through the air, spinning around upside down, or lots more crazy things, then this is the film to watch. Make no mistake, I hate football, I loathe sport in general and find it stultifyingly boring, but SHAOLIN SOCCER breathes life into the game. The end match is the best part of the film, surprisingly violent but with the scene in which the goalkeeper's clothes are torn off by the power of the ball, you can't help but watch, gape, and laugh at the sheer insanity of it all. Unlike anything else you'll ever see.

A Shaolin martial artist applies kung fu to soccer, setting up a team of old friends under the tutelage of a crippled coach who is seeking revenge on the man who ruined his career as a player.I love the idea of combining extraordinary martial arts skills with football, but nothing illustrates my failure to understand Asian humour more than this zany 'comedy' from Stephen Chow. While many clearly find Shaolin Soccer absolutely hilarious, the film made me laugh about as much as the time my appendix almost ruptured.in addition to the dreadful slapstick and silly impromptu dance routines that pass for humour in this perplexingly popular kung fu comedy sports film, I also found myself cringing at the horribly dated and totally unconvincing CGI that it relies so heavily upon: you would think they could at least make the football look real...

Combining soccer with kung fu, what an odd but yet at the same time logical and humorous idea. It's a combination that works out well for this movie, that you of course shouldn't take serious in any way.It's a really over-the-top movie with all of its action and humor. It's what makes this movie basically some perfect good, light, entertainment to watch. But it at the same time also makes this a quite simplistic movie, that doesn't has much to offer story-wise and because of its simplicity also never rises above the level of simply good.But this doesn't really matter when watching this movie, fore no one will of course watch this movie for its story or realism. When watching this movie you'll surely have a good time and you don't necessarily have to be familiar with soccer or Asian cinema or kung fu movies in general because this movie has basically nothing to do with soccer or kung fu. It doesn't follow any rules or logical and makes up its own stuff, which is actually one of the movie its strongest points. It's unlike anything you have ever seen before, in terms of its action and entertainment.What this movie mostly does is using "The Matrix" techniques for all of its action, applied to the games of soccer that are played throughout this movie. So you could call this a "The Matrix" spoof, though it's more making fun of the entire kung fu movie genre, by using the "The Matrix" techniques and effects. But at the same time the movie still manages to feel like a fresh and original enough movie on its own. All of the soccer games are done quite creatively but even when no games are being played the movie still manages to be a fun and entertaining watch, which is also thanks to some good and likable characters that are all in it.Biggest mystery of this movie is why there never was a sequel. This movie was an huge success at the time, globally and is still a quite popular movie to watch now days. It's one of the few movies I wouldn't had minded seeing getting a sequel. There is still plenty of stuff to explore and put into a second movie, without becoming a tiresome one or a simple rehash of the first movie. Surely there is still plenty of good and creative stuff to be shown during all of its soccer games.Perfect, harmless, family entertainment!7/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

Stephen Chow has a knack for combining impressive special-effects, interesting characters and hilarious comedy. The prototype of Kung Fu Hustle, Shaolin Soccer, demonstrates many of Chow's strengths but the film does not rise to the same level of excellence as the later film.The film relies heavily on making the characters as pathetic as possible but lacking the multi-level approach of Kung Fu Hustle the characters just come off miserable at first and then suddenly get better for no reason. The story also focuses too heavily on a central duo of characters and the badguys are left more to the background.The film still has hilarious Kung Fu references and excellent visual-effects and gags which keep the viewer invested in the film but the structure is too straight-forward and too simplistic to compete with Chow's later work.However, it's entertaining and I guess that's what really counts.