You could call it a guilty pleasure, but that would suggest you feel bad about enjoying yourself.
Shaolin Soccer (2002)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:87
Fresh:79
Rotten:8
Average Rating:7.1/10
Consensus: The plot is utterly ridiculous, and the soccer in the movie is unlike any ever played anywhere on Earth, but watching Shaolin Soccer, you will probably find it impossible to care.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for martial arts action and some thematic elements
Runtime: 1 hr 51 mins
Genre: Foreign Films
Theatrical Release:Apr 2, 2004 Limited
Box Office: $172,448
Synopsis:
The action comedy SHAOLIN SOCCER has become the all-time most successful Hong Kong production ever--in part due to its eye-popping action, crazy special effects and wicked humor. The film has...
The action comedy SHAOLIN SOCCER has become the all-time most successful Hong Kong production ever--in part due to its eye-popping action, crazy special effects and wicked humor. The film has shattered box office figures throughout Asia and has won many awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Visual Effects at the Hong Kong Film Awards.
Stephen Chow, who has appeared in over 50 films, is arguably, the most famous and loved comedian in Asia today. Often referred to as the "Jim Carrey of the East," Chow has made 5 of the top 10 highest grossing films in Hong Kong, with SHAOLIN SOCCER being #1. Chow is most known for his clever parodies and has used his razor-sharp wit to spoof James Bond ("From Beijing with Love"), Chow Yun Fat ("All for the Winner"), Bruce Lee ("Fist of Fury '91"), and even himself ("Forbidden City Cop"). This multi-talented comedian produced, directed, wrote, and edited SHAOLIN SOCCER as well as acted in the lead role, performing his own stunts.
Shaolin was an art practiced through the ages; a skill mastered in the heart. In SHAOLIN SOCCER, it is so much more than a philosophy for six young believers. It is a complete way of life. But as the world changed around them, and Honor and Discipline become forgotten virtues, they lose their way --except for one loyal follower, Sing (Chow). With the help of a former soccer star, he reunites his old, out of shape, misfit friends, and recruits a young woman with extraordinary Kung Fu skills. Together, they're out to combine the ancient power of Shaolin with the modern game of soccer and in the process, just might take the world's most popular sport to its most extreme. -- © Miramax
Starring: Stephen Chow, Vicky Zhao Wei, Ng Man-Tat, Cecilia Cheung
Starring: Stephen Chow, Vicky Zhao Wei, Ng Man-Tat, Cecilia Cheung, Lau Kar-Ying, Karen Mok, Alan Tam
Director: Stephen Chow
Director: Stephen Chow
Screenwriter: Stephen Chow, Tseng Kan Cheong
Producer: Yeong Kwok Fa
Composer: Raymond Wong
Studio: Miramax Films
Get This Movie
Rent DVD
Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.
Buy DVD
Release:
Aug 24, 2004
Reviews for Shaolin Soccer
A movie as empty-headed as your average Premier League player, but that doesn’t matter when the footie scenes are so fun and deliriously OTT.
It's all so brazenly goofy and infectiously entertaining that you forgive the hit-and-miss gags.
the stars of this film are the over-the-top stunts and kung fu action, which sublimely blend artfulness with silliness
No doubt there are sports pedants who will find themselves echoing the sentiments of one exasperated opponent as he exclaims "Please don't play like this! I really want to play soccer!" -- but everyone else will be too busy grinning...to care very much.
It’s The Matrix without the pretentious pop-philosophy, and Bend it Like Beckham without the teen angst.
Recaptures the essence of delirious, fantastic action that made Hong Kong the capital of cool through the late 1980s and early 1990s.
We don't recommend this for your 'Mother's Day outing'... but it's positively the best movie mixing kung fu and soccer ever.
A movie that rises to dizzying heights of silliness before soaring into the silly stratosphere, Shaolin Soccer is pure fun.
Kung Fu and sports movies collide in writer/director/actor Stephen Chow's devilishly entertaining Honk Kong action movie.
A terrific comedy. It has fun with the conventions of sports movies while also being completely original. It's like live action anime.
Do you like video games, martial arts and insane Chinese humor? See this movie.
[T]his is an Asian version of that comedy staple, the snobs versus slobs comedy... [It's] good, goofy fun that will leave audiences smiling.
As always, Chow shows himself an acute parodist of other genres while adding his own cherry on the top.
Shaolin Soccer’s multimedia madness is so excusable because most of its antics are actually more crude than seamless.
Latest News for Shaolin Soccer
July 24, 2007:
Seth Rogen Wants Stephen Chow as His Green Hornet Sidekick
If the idea of Seth Rogen as a superhero sounds a little crazy, well, it is. But at least the guy has good taste in co-stars. He'd like to get Stephen Chow to play 'sidekick' Kato. More...
January 07, 2005:
Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle Breaking B.O. Records
Stephen Chow's "Kung Fu Hustle" is breaking box office records across Asia, Variety reports. On its Dec. 24th opening day in Singapore, "Hustle" set the... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- Shaolin Soccer at Rotten Tomatoes
- Shaolin Soccer at IGN
- Shaolin Soccer at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

AV Club looks at a beloved cult classic, Sam Raimi's Army of Darkness.

TIME offers us a closer look at the characters from the latest Twilight film.

Moviefone lists their choices for the least attractive men in Hollywood.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



