Shaolin Soccer (2001)

I was really pleasantly surprised by Shaolin Soccer. I expected poor dubbing, bad CGI, terrible acting and a cliché filled plot. The film did have some of these negatives but it really didn't matter.

The CGI, although now out-dated, was surprisingly good for something 15 or so years old. It only added to the film with quite a few visual gags. The dubbing was cheesy in parts but again it did not take away from the film. It was expected as the film does not have the largest budget. Also, the acting was not that bad and did not distract the viewer that much.

The film is most impressive however in the way that it excepts the clichés that litter the whole plot. Yes, the story is not original in the slightest and relies on archetypal plot points and thinly drawn characters but again it doesn't matter. This is because the filmmakers know all of the negatives and drawbacks of the plot and budget and play with them. They use (or some might say rip-off) parts of other films and genres. The important matches in the film are much like fights or battles in westerns with the shimmering image used and many shots replicating a Sergio Leone film. The incredible martial arts in the film have obviously been influenced by films with Asian stars such as Bruce Lee and are one of the main draws of the film.

Overall, 'Shaolin Soccer' is extremely enjoyable; passes really quickly; and truly surprised me. Although it does not look like much, if you give it go, you will be rewarded by it's weird sort of charm; surprising amount of action; and plenty of humour.

Extremely Enjoyable!