Chow's irreverent knack of physical comedy, enhanced by computer gimmickry, is exploited to the hilt when a sextet of struggling Shaolin disciples decide to form a martially superhuman football team to spread the good word of kung fu to the masses. Chow, never a great purveyor of subtlety (the bad guys are called Team Evil), plays their captain, and he can kick a ball so hard it bends the goalposts. One player, 'Iron Head', can balance vertically on a football with his eyes closed. The ground shakes, the goal nets perish, and players are hurtled through space. It's a real feast for the eyes, even if it has very little to do with either Shaolin or soccer. That's probably for the best, as the mass-appealing qualities of this exuberant product have assured the film's success far beyond the boundaries of Chow's other, more native, comedic efforts. Those uninitiated into the madcap world of Stephen Chow could do no better than to start here, you'll find it a wondrous treat like no other. (Note: hunt down the uncut Chinese release if you can, Miramax's turgid dubbed version is vastly inadequate).
Review of Shaolin Soccer
