Shaolin Soccer

'Shaolin Soccer' is amusing! As someone who loves both film and football (soccer), it was about time I checked this one out. Of course, it holds little resemblance to actual footy but it still mixes the sport and the martial art impressively. It's funny, especially across the first half.

I would say that the film overstays its welcome slightly, it does feel drawn out by the time that final match concludes. That isn't all that damaging mind you, because I'd consider this a fun time. Stephen Chow is entertaining, as are the rest of the cast to be fair; mostly so, Wong Yat-fei.

A quarter of a century on and this is still a highlight There was a slew of these movies in the late 90s and early noughts. Some of them have aged poorly but this one still holds up. Yes, it is silly, and yes, it is over the top, but that's sort of the point, and the charm. It is well acted, the effects have aged well, the visual and sound design is on point for what it is, and it is just an all-round good time.