neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Shaolin Soccer
	Stephen Chow Stephen Chow, Vicki Zhao, Man Tat Ng, Patrick Tse Yin, Cecilia Cheung, Karen Mok, Vincent Kok 2001		Like a kick to the head, "Shaolin Soccer" — a deftly executed, action-packed comedy from Hong Kong actor/writer/director/producer and box-office champ Stephen Chow — will leave viewers delirious in its aftermath, as in deliriously entertained or plain dizzy. The movie's premise sounds like noble, spiritual baloney, but it's really rather playful: "Shaolin Soccer" suggests that the unyielding application of Shaolin-style martial arts skills and discipline can assure success on the field of athletic competition. In other words, masters of kung fu should be able to kick ass in a soccer game. Chow takes the lead role of Sing, a poor, earnest guy eager to forge fellow former Shaolin students, gone to seed, into a winning team. With the help of a crippled has-been soccer star, Sing and his buddies take on an evil coach and near-unbeatable squad in a high-stakes championship tournament. Sing rounds out his team by recruiting Mui (Vicki Zhao), an ugly duckling who uses her Shaolin know-how to make sweet buns at a rundown food stand. With bad skin, greasy hair and low self-esteem, Mui seems like a lost cause; Sing knows better. Chow, who directed his own script and edited the result, draws on all of his physical and comedic skills and those of his cast. The result is one of the most rollicking surprises imported to the U.S. in ages.