Shaolin
(PG)- Release Date: 20th January 2011 (Showtimes)
- Language: Mandarin
- Running Time: 131 mins
- Genre: Action
- Director: Benny Chan
- Cast: Andy Lau, Fan Bingbing, Xin Xin Xiong, Yu Shao Qun, Jackie Chan. (Full Cast)
- Local Distributor: Golden Village Pictures
Jackie Chan and Andy Lau star in this movie about the betrayal of former general Hou Jie (Andy Lau) by his second in command Cao Man (Nicholas Tse) which causes his wife (Fan Bing Bing) to desert him. He then seeks refuge in a shaolin temple that he recently looked down upon after beating up a few of the monks in the same monastery. Hou Jie befriends a Shaolin cook (Jackie Chan) who picks him up and he finds a way to resolve the existing conflict with the fellow monks. He leads the monks in a fiery stand as they try to end the rule of the warlord Cao Man.
Latest Review
Good Story line
What I loved most: Shaolin Kung Fu
What I really hated: Nil
The training of the Shaolin not only the Kung Fu, it also emcompassed very strong moral and trained the individual to have strong determinations. Hou Jie (Andy Lau) has his soft side, loved and care her family, especially his daughter. The scene where he attempted to save her daughter was very excited where he risked his life. The last part where he fought with Cao Man (Nicholas Tse) has also demonstrated very strong moral.
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Good Story line
What I loved most: Shaolin Kung Fu
What I really hated: Nil
The training of the Shaolin not only the Kung Fu, it also emcompassed very strong moral and trained the individual to have strong determinations. Hou Jie (Andy Lau) has his soft side, loved and care her family, especially his daughter. The scene where he attempted to save her daughter was very excited where he risked his life. The last part where he fought with Cao Man (Nicholas Tse) has also...More
The training of the Shaolin not only the Kung Fu, it also emcompassed very strong moral and trained the individual to have strong determinations. Hou Jie (Andy Lau) has his soft side, loved and care her family, especially his daughter. The scene where he attempted to save her daughter was very excited where he risked his life. The last part where he fought with Cao Man (Nicholas Tse) has also demonstrated very strong moral.
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Shaolin
What I loved most: With great compassion
What I really hated: nil
a show that teaches us to have great compassion with your ememy. Every words they used by the monks has a meaning to it. All all do understand the teachings. A must go movie to watch...
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Best Movie I've Seen So Far for 2011
What I loved most: Memorable Scenes here, there, everywhere
What I really hated: I couldn't find one
Was skeptical when knowing this is a updated version of the 1982 Jet Li classic. However, watching it from beginning to end left many lasting memories. Many of the scenes were indeed memorable; ranging from Andy Lau cutting his hair (it was a real one-take only scene and not a cameo by a replica actor), to Jackie's comical act (and language!) as a Shaolin cook, all the way to the final...More
Was skeptical when knowing this is a updated version of the 1982 Jet Li classic. However, watching it from beginning to end left many lasting memories. Many of the scenes were indeed memorable; ranging from Andy Lau cutting his hair (it was a real one-take only scene and not a cameo by a replica actor), to Jackie's comical act (and language!) as a Shaolin cook, all the way to the final showdown between Nicholas Tse and Andy Lau, as well as the Shaolin monk's final confrontation with the enemy. HK Cinema rules again: They did it with Ip Man in 2009, Bodyguards and Assassins in 2010, and now Shaolin in 2011. This movie has done Chinese history dignity, respect and honour in every aspect. Forget Hollywood; Hong Kong Cinema is here to stay. 阿弥陀佛 - Amitabha
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Beautiful movie
What I loved most: Everything about the movie
What I really hated: I can't find any really.
To be frank, I have never gone to the cinema to watch a movie starring Andy Lau. Reason is because none of his movie has any appeal to me. I decided to watch this as I read some the reviews saying this movie is good. And hey it is really good! For the first time, I witness Andy Lau fine acting. I think the movie plot do help too. Jacky Chan is a surprise addtion to the cast, for the first...More
To be frank, I have never gone to the cinema to watch a movie starring Andy Lau. Reason is because none of his movie has any appeal to me. I decided to watch this as I read some the reviews saying this movie is good. And hey it is really good! For the first time, I witness Andy Lau fine acting. I think the movie plot do help too. Jacky Chan is a surprise addtion to the cast, for the first time being a nobody who doesn't know how to fight. Realy interesting to see him in this role. Nicolas Tse is really looking badass. The rather unusual ending further adds to the movie acclaim. Because I have seen too many HK movies with the same ending. Boring. Lastly the movie score is very zen and nice. Sang by Andy Lau. Very touching. Fang Bing Bing is as beautiful as the snowy scenery. And many more. Watch it and you will find out.
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For the record, "Shaolin" is definitely not another remake of Jet Li's first movie debut in 1982's "The Shaolin Temple". It is instead a drastic attempt to retell the stories about Shaolin monks and its temple during China's counter-revolutionary that leads to the temple's destruction under the hands of ruthless soldiers and the monks driven away to the mountain area.
Director Benny Chan makes it a point to shoot his movie picture-perfect, by including so many details that include a person's costumes, jewelleries and overall set designs as well as other fine detailing. The end result is one of the many commendable aspects of the movie. It is such a rare occasion to see a filmmaker completed its story-telling without leaving any parts hanging. The plot is thorough, easy to follow and straight to the point. This reviewer rather prefers the director's choice to finish one scene before moving into the next to avoid confusion and to tell a more compact story. The director often uses different lighting and shadow to create the mood of the story. A lot of time the lighting effects further brings out the mood and emotion of a scene.
Language is not a big issue in "Shaolin" though it can pose as a nuisance for some especially when characters of native Chinese speaking actors are dubbed in Cantonese, while non-Chinese speakers like Caucasian could be heard speaking in flawed Mandarin.
Cast performance of the movie is top notch. Nicholas Tse plays a surprisingly convincing antagonist where Tse waste no time in convincing the audience who the real villain is. On the other hand, Andy Lau's acting deserves no less as well despite it seems rather cliche for such a handsome actor to play as a plain-looking monk. One of the most interesting scenes the audience should keep a lookout for would definitely the moment Lau's character cuts off his locks in a fit of anger. Apart from that, it is rather sad to see that mainland actress, Fan Bing Bing is given limited screen time. Nevertheless her appearance is memorable throughout the whole movie.
All in all, "Shaolin" makes a pleasant viewing experience to some, if not all moviegoers. The story is simple with the right balance of drama, action and humour. Highly recommended for this year's Chinese New Year movie selection.
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