Shaolin Soccer Review

Prepare for the kind of tackles that would even make Roy Keane wince in this blisteringly paced chopsocky adventure from director, star and co-writer Stephen Chow. The movie centres on Fang (Ng Mang-tat), a former footy star whose career was wrecked when he took a bribe and threw a game. Twenty years on and he's still eager for revenge on Hung (Xie Xian), the teammate who told him to miss a crucial spot kick but his adversary is now a successful team manager and he virtually lives hand to mouth. But when he finds a player (Chow) who combines good ball control, decent speed and the power of being a Shaolin master in his game, Fang sees a real chance for payback.

With plenty of 'blink and you'll miss 'em' moments and the kind of skills that would make Thierry Henry drool, this is about as much fun as it's possible to get when you mix soccer and the movies. Sure it's got the last gasp heroics and inevitable penalties that have made this genre so cliched but it's also got fireballs, force fields and the kind of brutality you're more use to seeing in a video game than on a football pitch. Chow does temper things slightly, bringing in a little love story between him and a young lady, but it's the action and slapstick comedy that rule the day here because they're just so innovative and entertaining. And you thought Arsenal played 'sexy football' - watch Shaolin Soccer and you might have to think again.