Shaolin Soccer

2001 kung-fu sports spectacular

Rating: 14/20 (Abbey: 20/20; Emma: 15/20; Dylan: 14/20)

Plot: A promising soccer superstar (Goldenleg) forced into early retirement and a kung-fu master who wants to bring kung-fu philosophies and discipline to the masses unite to form a soccer team. The latter gathers his brothers together and talks them into trying to reclaim their skills for use on the soccer field. They seem headed for a tournament victory. But, oh snap! Awaiting them in the finals of the soccer tournament is the fittingly-named Team Evil owned by none other than the man who ended Goldenleg's career. I think the owner's name is probably Mr. Evil, and his team will do anything to keep their record free of defeats. There's also a romantic subplot somewhere in this.

This is a lot of fun with tons of so-wrong-they're-nearly-right bonkers special effects and ridiculously silly plot developments. And we're once again reminded that things are cooler if fire is somehow involved. Watching the ragtag bunch of chubby or just plain dopey-looking kung-fu masters come to life and exhibit their skills is a treat despite the ultra-goofy goings-on. It's definitely original, especially if you overlook the mostly predictable plot line, and bonus points were given for the appearance of their semi-finals opponents (a bunch of women with handlebar mustaches) and the music number that was thrown in. As a full-blown spoof of American sports/action movies, this really would have smacked hard. Goofy fun.

Could this be the return of Kung-Furiday? One can only hope.