iP3K

On last week Totally Rad Show (TRS #55), they made a review of the latest Stephen Chow movie called CJ7. During their review I realized that this guy was also behind Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle. Proposed as great movies I was set to correct my mistakes and made sure I saw these two movies back to back. Here’s how great it was!

Shaolin Soccer
Imagine you take one part Soccer, and you mix it up with one part Kung Fu you will get one of the most intriging Kung Fu sports movie you’ve ever seen. Stephen Chow was relatively unknow until his action hits became mainstream. This movie was popular enought to come out of Japan and reach the north american market. I watched the dubbed version because I did not feel like reading through all the subtitles but I am not one to avoid a movie simply because it is subtitled.

The movie starts off during a soccer match were you witness the injury of a famous player under suspicious circumstances. Years later you see this players career destroyed and reduced at being a simple janitor. He would like to become coach of his own soccer team and he is denied by his old nemesis now his employer. Figure the total humiliation.

On the streets, he comes to know a young men who wants to make a living out of teaching Kung Fu and he explains that Kung Fu can help anyone improve their life. After noticing his power kick he decides to enroll him and his brothers in the Soccer Cup in hopes of gaining the main prize. At first the team looks like sore loosers that could barely put a foot in front of the other, however through trials and error they learn the basics of soccer and awaken their Kung Fu wich gives them an opressing advantage against any team.

Success is almost certain except when they encouter the elite team that was injected with powerful “American drugs” that allow them to match them hit for hit, and give them the upper hand. You go beyond the realm of what could be considered possible when everything is taken out of proportion but it is a fun ride to go along. On a side not there is a love interest that become quite central to the success of our heroes but one message sent is very forced on us. The main character loves her for who she is and her Kong Fu and keeps saying she is beautiful despite the very obvious scarness of her face. Pretty cool to see and worth your while.

Kung Fu Hustle review will come up in the next few days.