What can I say? Shaolin Soccer is definately one of the all time Stephen Chow greats. It's funny, it is very well directed (especially the wide shots of the games) and it actually has a few "serious" moments. I really got into the film, although I knew it was going to be a spoof, I didn't realise there was going to be that much CG graphics in the movie but that just enhanced the film more. The end match had so many special moves and over the top martial arts it was like seeing a Manfred Wong comic. A must watch for fans and non-fans alike, especially if you like King of Comedy.
Reviews
14 Reviews
Once Upon a Time in China II
(1992)
Excellent mix of Donnie Yen and Jet Lee
8 February 2001
The story tries to blend in with real life characters during the Boxer Rebellion with the character Wong fei-hung (who is set at that period), for those who dont know the history dont worry about it. The movie has everything an audience needs, action, humour but not much romance, which is okay. There is always the running tension between Auntie 13 and Fei-Hung.
I believe this has some of the best martial-arts choreography throughout the whole genre. Yes there is plenty of wire-work, but that is how Hong Kong films are made. Rather than have the realistic fights like how the American's film...the Chinese prefers the fantasy-style where everything is exaggerated. So the overall genre fits in with the old Shaw Brothers classic. Donny Yen and Jet Lee are trained Martial Artists by nature therefore uses much wire-work, unlike Jackie Chan who is a trained Opera Singer/Dancer..his moves are based on what he has learned over the years on stage which are basically, jumping, dodging and acrobatics.
Yet people are still trying to compare this film with other American movies. I respect other people's views, but constantly comparing with other films of a totally different genre is not the point.
I believe this has some of the best martial-arts choreography throughout the whole genre. Yes there is plenty of wire-work, but that is how Hong Kong films are made. Rather than have the realistic fights like how the American's film...the Chinese prefers the fantasy-style where everything is exaggerated. So the overall genre fits in with the old Shaw Brothers classic. Donny Yen and Jet Lee are trained Martial Artists by nature therefore uses much wire-work, unlike Jackie Chan who is a trained Opera Singer/Dancer..his moves are based on what he has learned over the years on stage which are basically, jumping, dodging and acrobatics.
Yet people are still trying to compare this film with other American movies. I respect other people's views, but constantly comparing with other films of a totally different genre is not the point.
Romeo Must Die
(2000)
Not a good movie.
3 January 2001
I have seen a massive amount of Chinese and American Martial Art films and I am glad that the Americans are finally catching up. Hong Kong cinema is not exactly the best in their quality of films and storyline, but when it comes to action (especially Fantasy-style Martial Arts) they are the best.
At first I thought "Romeo Must Die" was a pretty good movie at first, but then I watched it again on DVD and found a lot of mistakes in the film (most of the goofs on IMDB are from me). I literally tore the film apart.
What I do not understand is how such veterans in choreography such as Jet Li and Cory Yeun, do jobs that make them look like amatuers? On most of the stringwork you can see the actors hold on to invisible wires, most obvious in the last fight scene and the double barrel kick in the club near the begining of the movie. It is obvious to Jet Li fans that Computer Generated Images were not needed, if Hong Kong films can make fight scenes better than this, using old fashioned cinematography why can't the Americans?
Hollywood just can't get the fact they are not the best in certain areas.
Even with this failure, I still look forward to Jet Li's next film as I am a fan of his. I just hope the film does not bring down yet another fine import from Hong Kong.
At first I thought "Romeo Must Die" was a pretty good movie at first, but then I watched it again on DVD and found a lot of mistakes in the film (most of the goofs on IMDB are from me). I literally tore the film apart.
What I do not understand is how such veterans in choreography such as Jet Li and Cory Yeun, do jobs that make them look like amatuers? On most of the stringwork you can see the actors hold on to invisible wires, most obvious in the last fight scene and the double barrel kick in the club near the begining of the movie. It is obvious to Jet Li fans that Computer Generated Images were not needed, if Hong Kong films can make fight scenes better than this, using old fashioned cinematography why can't the Americans?
Hollywood just can't get the fact they are not the best in certain areas.
Even with this failure, I still look forward to Jet Li's next film as I am a fan of his. I just hope the film does not bring down yet another fine import from Hong Kong.
The Storm Riders
(1998)
An excellent comic book movie
30 December 2000
Though I have only read a few issues of the comic book, I instantly recognised each character in the film, I didn't even need the titles of each character whenever they first appeared. Aaron Kwok and Ekin Chen played the parts of the two main characters, Wind and Cloud very well and Sonny Chiba looked very much like Conquerer.
The graphics were excellent, much more than what I would have expected from a Hong Kong company. I thought this film would be filled with "Roger Rabbit" style animation or lots of out of place looking sparks, but I was proved wrong. Instead the graphics and the special effects complimented the film rather than overwhelm it. Rumours have spread that there might be a Storm Riders 2 but I personally hope they won't. Hong Kong film companies are not especially great at making sequels as they tend to commercialise everything and running out of already limited amount of actors would bring out a bit of chaos to the audience. Look at the Young and Dangerous series...most of the actors who were killed off in the last installment comes back as someone totally different but looking almost exactly the same. I hope they would do the right thing and leave this as it is....a great movie.
The graphics were excellent, much more than what I would have expected from a Hong Kong company. I thought this film would be filled with "Roger Rabbit" style animation or lots of out of place looking sparks, but I was proved wrong. Instead the graphics and the special effects complimented the film rather than overwhelm it. Rumours have spread that there might be a Storm Riders 2 but I personally hope they won't. Hong Kong film companies are not especially great at making sequels as they tend to commercialise everything and running out of already limited amount of actors would bring out a bit of chaos to the audience. Look at the Young and Dangerous series...most of the actors who were killed off in the last installment comes back as someone totally different but looking almost exactly the same. I hope they would do the right thing and leave this as it is....a great movie.
The Red Violin
(1998)
Under-rated
30 December 2000
A very interesting and spell-bounding story of what seems to be a 'cursed' but sought after violin throughout the centuries.
I had the great opportunity of watching this film with the crew of the "Shanghai" scene and I was very impressed. It has been a long time since the last time I had watched a film and went WOW. With great acting and beautiful music score, this film should have had a massive distribution, over here in England I was told it was in cinemas for only a week or so.
Unfortunately, I believe that this is one of those films that I can only watch once or at least watch it again after a very long time. When I first watched Red Violin I walked out of the room very satisfied that I was one of the first to watch this film (or so I'm told), but then I watched it again after I bought it on DVD and was not as impressed as the first time. I guess it was just the impact of the story that got me the first time but since I knew what was going to happen it just didn't hit me as much.
So to those out there who is thinking about watching this movie...watch it and savour it.
I had the great opportunity of watching this film with the crew of the "Shanghai" scene and I was very impressed. It has been a long time since the last time I had watched a film and went WOW. With great acting and beautiful music score, this film should have had a massive distribution, over here in England I was told it was in cinemas for only a week or so.
Unfortunately, I believe that this is one of those films that I can only watch once or at least watch it again after a very long time. When I first watched Red Violin I walked out of the room very satisfied that I was one of the first to watch this film (or so I'm told), but then I watched it again after I bought it on DVD and was not as impressed as the first time. I guess it was just the impact of the story that got me the first time but since I knew what was going to happen it just didn't hit me as much.
So to those out there who is thinking about watching this movie...watch it and savour it.
Cut
(I) (2000)
Not a serious film.
27 December 2000
I saw this film during a recent fright-fest in London and I laughed out loud. It is a very funny movie, it was intended to be a funny movie. Due to the recent teen-slasher flick increase which fail because they try to make it a serious film, somebody finally decides to make a really old-school comedy/slasher flick. This was not a serious film, it was deliberately made as a spoof with a hint of realism. This film is a comedy/horror it may not be a one big spoof like 'Scary Movie' but similar in content, just because the film is made to look serious does not mean it is, just sit back and enjoy the hilarious killings.
Best of the Best
(1989)
One of the best
27 December 2000
This is one of the best films I have seen ever. Sure the acting is a bit cheesy, full of one liners and bad jokes, but something about this movie got me stuck to the screen every time I watch it. I am actually quite glad that they casted actors rather than serious martial artist experts (apart from the Rhee's and the Korean Team) to play the various roles in the film.
This is a good movie for both general film lovers and Martial Art film fans, the end fights are very impressive. Personally, I did not enjoy the sequels that came after this so I say stick to the best. Best of the Best I.
This is a good movie for both general film lovers and Martial Art film fans, the end fights are very impressive. Personally, I did not enjoy the sequels that came after this so I say stick to the best. Best of the Best I.
Fist of the North Star
(1995)
needs more effort
21 December 2000
This is a pretty bad film, especially for the fans of the original manga who will clearly see that this film does it no justice. I thought this would flop as soon as I saw the release date for this film, there is no way that anybody can recreate what Buronson (writer of original) wrote what he did in the manga.
Being a film-maker myself I know how hard it is to make films but please....if the director actually did research into the comic he would not have Kenshiro punching a tree instead of buildings. The martial arts was also very poor, they were slow, badly acted and shot in an angle where you can see hands and feet not touching. My opinion? watch the manga or read the comic, this is worse than Mortal Kombat 2. Also, will people please try and not compare this to Jackie Chan or Jet Li Martial Arts as they are all DIFFERENT from each other. Thank You.
Being a film-maker myself I know how hard it is to make films but please....if the director actually did research into the comic he would not have Kenshiro punching a tree instead of buildings. The martial arts was also very poor, they were slow, badly acted and shot in an angle where you can see hands and feet not touching. My opinion? watch the manga or read the comic, this is worse than Mortal Kombat 2. Also, will people please try and not compare this to Jackie Chan or Jet Li Martial Arts as they are all DIFFERENT from each other. Thank You.
Love 2000
(2000)
Excellent
2 November 2000
Love 2000 is one of my favourite TV programmes of all time.
It is a typical storyline when Takeshi is a Terrorist acting on behalf of his small but war-torn country. To assassinate a traitor to his Government, a young girl Reiru, gets in his way accidentally and they eventually fall in love.
To be honest the storyline is pretty old and the mini-series could have ended halfway through, but something about it got me stuck to the screen...
I give it 8/10
It is a typical storyline when Takeshi is a Terrorist acting on behalf of his small but war-torn country. To assassinate a traitor to his Government, a young girl Reiru, gets in his way accidentally and they eventually fall in love.
To be honest the storyline is pretty old and the mini-series could have ended halfway through, but something about it got me stuck to the screen...
I give it 8/10
Somebody Up There Likes Me
(1996)
A fine film
8 October 2000
I first watched this film many years ago on tape and actually been hunting it down for quite a while.
Surpisingly being a kickboxer film, it does NOT glorify the Kick-boxing world, in my personal opinion it is more against. With the gruesome deaths and the images of boxers-past suffering from Parkinsons because of the sport does tend to put people off.
Aaron Kwok is as usual very good acting but still playing the Hong Kong Heartthrob role and Sammo Hung being more of a cameo and less active role is a pleasant change.
Some people may watch this film and call it a wannabe 'Rocky' or 'Raging Bull' but I say watch this film and see for yourself.
Surpisingly being a kickboxer film, it does NOT glorify the Kick-boxing world, in my personal opinion it is more against. With the gruesome deaths and the images of boxers-past suffering from Parkinsons because of the sport does tend to put people off.
Aaron Kwok is as usual very good acting but still playing the Hong Kong Heartthrob role and Sammo Hung being more of a cameo and less active role is a pleasant change.
Some people may watch this film and call it a wannabe 'Rocky' or 'Raging Bull' but I say watch this film and see for yourself.
Whatever Will Be, Will Be
(1995)
Cute, romantic Comedy
8 October 2000
"Whatever will be will be" is a romantic comedy about two school teachers working together but at the same time trying to deal with each other's problems.
At times you will laugh or go 'awww' so it is a pleasant film to watch.
Also being a UFO film their favourite combination is Aaron Kwok and Kelly Chen.
At times you will laugh or go 'awww' so it is a pleasant film to watch.
Also being a UFO film their favourite combination is Aaron Kwok and Kelly Chen.
Tokyo Raiders
(2000)
Cool film
14 September 2000
When I saw the cast on the posters for 'Tokyo' I went "wow". Kelly Chen, Ekin Cheng and of course Tonly Leung. I was at first sceptical because of the Director Jingle Ma who directed another action film 'VR cops' which was terrible. But for his 2nd action film he really has learned a lot. Obviously basing himself on John Woo (note the amount of dove shots and use of slow motions) and trying out some 'timelapse' shots, it really brings out some life into the film. Tony Leung and Ekin Cheng actually play well off each other, for the cantonese audience it is at times obvious when the cast ad-lib which was left untranslated and simplified on the English translation. The film is very simple and the twists get a bit over-done with one after another, but overall it did turn out quite good. Personally, I enjoyed the film with it's unique blend of Japanese and Chinese acting and a comedic score, it is a fun film.
Purple Storm
(1999)
Hong Kong trying very American genre
12 September 2000
This film is a must for people who like action. The story is very American, especially for Hong Kong type audiences. Eastern audiences like a lot of straight up action in their action films, what they got here was both intelligent and kinetic.
What I thought was cool is that Joan Chen came back in a Hong Kong Chinese speaking role. I don't think I have seen her there for a while.
What I thought was cool is that Joan Chen came back in a Hong Kong Chinese speaking role. I don't think I have seen her there for a while.
Gorgeous
(1999)
Something different for Jackie
28 August 2000
Jackie Chan tries something different. A romantic comedy. This film would definitely not please martial arts fans, because as it says "gorgeous" is a romantic comedy. Not many people may understand this, but Jackie Chan is more perfomer and entertainer rather than a MA expert. He grew up in a chinese opera group which bases itself on acrobatics. Jackie is getting a bit old so he wants to wind down slowly and trying new material. I don't think it would be fair to compare this film with the likes of Drunken Master or Who am I? because they are totally different types of genre. Might as well compare T2 and Titanic. The romantic element to this is very subtle. Shu Qui is still trying to get out of the typecast of what she used to be in the adult dramas, though playing extremely cute does not suit her that much. All in all, this film was made in good fun. Dont think of Jackie as Action man hero, think of Jackie as Actor, entertainer.
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