
Shaolin
2011, History/Action, 2h 11m
27 Reviews 5,000+ RatingsYou might also like
Where to watch
Shaolin Photos
Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Hou Jie
Cao Man
Wu Dao
Madam Hou
Jing Neng
Jing Kong
News & Interviews for Shaolin
Critic Reviews for Shaolin
All Critics (27) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (20) | Rotten (7)
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Frequently gripping and featuring a surprisingly spry supporting turn by Jackie Chan, it's a sturdy if unremarkable effort.
September 9, 2011 | Rating: 3/5 -
An ambitious, almost epic drama that devotes as much time to introspection as it does to combat.
September 9, 2011 | Rating: B | Full Review… -
This rousing Shaolin is notable for the compassionate Buddhist philosophy that underpins what otherwise might have been just another Hong Kong period piece.
September 9, 2011 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review… -
"Shaolin" fits in the more somber kung-fu tradition. But it also finds room for the genre's comic strain.
September 9, 2011 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review… -
The epic feel to this Hong Kong action-drama helps balance a lack of hand-to-hand combat scenes.
September 9, 2011 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review… -
More action, less talk should be the order of the day, but it isn't.
September 9, 2011 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Shaolin
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Feb 06, 2012Really good film. Lots of great choreography. Jackie Chan shows up in this, and he adds alot of humor. The only thing that took away from the movie was the foreign troops that show up to cause conflict...the lead soldier was a horrible actor. But that is such a small section, and it doesn't take away from this film. Good all around movie.Cynthia S Super Reviewer
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Jan 31, 2012I'm a big fan of foreign fight films. This one actually leans more toward the side of epic than action movie though. A man's transformation from bad guy to good guy isn't far-fetched, but it's so sudden that with 2 hours to work with, they chose to make that one of the least looked at story points. If you're expecting to watch Jackie Chan whoop ass, forget it. He's done doing most action fight scenes (even though there is one with him in it). This one is all Andy Lau, and he's not bad at all. The choreography is well done. This is was a good B movie, but because it's not really based off anything from history, I was left not caring much about the temple...just seeing the fight scenes, and when they happen, they deliver.Lane Z Super Reviewer
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Jan 25, 2012Totally awesome story of a group of Shaolin Monks that go up and above their tranquil lives to defend and care for the weak, defenseless and the needy from the greed and oppression of the tyrannical and power hungry General Hou Jie's (Andy Lau) army. As things later turn out his own teachings of the acquisition of the "spoils of war" turns the table on him so severely that he in turn surrenders his destructive ways to the calm and preservation teachings of the Shaolin Monk. The teachings become such an inspiration to him after tragedy crippled him mentally and spiritually that he too becomes one of the monks with the assistance of the Cook (Jackie Chan) As fate would later have it...his past soon comes into play that the very Shaolin Temple becomes in danger of coming under attack...where protection the very shrine becomes a very necessary thing to eventually do. See this it is truly an enlightening and inspirational story that show the power of harnessing your inner strength when it looks as if everything is all lost. Please see this martial arts extravaganza!Fascade F Super Reviewer
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Dec 21, 2011Director Benny Chan came with a new adaptation of the classic Shaolin only with a new cast. Here we had Andy Lau in the leading role, playing Hou Chieh, a ruthless warlord who crossed path with the Shaolin Temple and experienced his transformation from a ruthless warlord to a monk with compassion. Together with Nicholas Tse and Jackie Chan in a special appearance, Shaolin delivered a good amount of martial arts and great cinematography. There was nothing new in the plot, as we could see Andy Lau repenting from his sins he made in the past and how he defended what he believed in. Remarkable was Jackie Chan who, from cheesy roles in action blockbusters, he perfectly cast superstar Andy Lau in a role that allowed him to act. At the end I must say it was a effective film for what it is. It did entertained, but failed to delivers anything special or original to make it a a good film.Daisy M Super Reviewer
Shaolin Quotes
General Hou Jie: | Life is about affinity. Follow affinity and live freely. |
Cook: | (Shaolin Kids shouting to to Cook while he's taking on Cao Man's crooked soldiers :) "Stir fry them like vegetables!" "Knead them like noodle dough!" |
Cook: | [Shaolin Kids shouting to to Cook while he's taking on Cao Man's crooked soldiers] Stir fry them like vegetables. Knead them like noodle dough! |
The Abbot: | "From evil comes suffering. With justice they are gone. If neither are there you're so purified, nothing remains. Understand how to let go first, then you will have no attachments. Do this, and you can confront anything." |
The Abbot: | From evil comes suffering. With justice they are gone. If neither are there you're so purified, nothing remains. Understand how to let go first, then you will have no attachments. Do this, and you can confront anything. |
General Hou Jie: | namo amituofo |
General Hou Jie: | Namo Amituofo. |
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