Producer and director Ng See Yuen (Secret Rivals) presents another Keith Strandberg penned production that is pretty much, just a Chinese take on The Karate Kid and his very own - No Retreat, No Surrender...
While far from being a classic, with basic production values and comedy that only Keith himself probably found hilarious (including a campy Shaolin take on classic rock song, 'Summertime Blues' retitled 'The Shaolin Temple Blues'), American Shaolin can only best be described as a kung fu comedy with a good cast, decent acting, and poor script only to be saved by some nice martial arts action under the watchful eyes of Peking Opera School brothers Corey Yuen Kwai and Yuen Tak!
I loved the nod to Kwai's very own film, Righting Wrongs (Above The Law) as he makes a fight between the drill sargent monk and some hoodlums a remake of the one featuring Rothrock in a gambling den - exchanging her handcuffs for his beads. Along with that, the scene at the disco reminded me very much of a similar one in Painted Faces, a film actually about the two Yuen's where all the students get into bother on a night out.
For his first ever role, Reese Madigan isn't too terrible in this role as Drew Carson - an all American boy who let his master (Kim Chan from Lethal Weapon 4) down in a martial arts tournament in his home town, after being ridiculously humiliated. He's a good looking guy with decent moves and it would have been nice to see him continue in more martial arts, action films whether with Seasonal Films, or not. In Shaolin, his master is the wonderful Henry O (Master Yu in Rush Hour 3) who sees potential in Drew and helps him on his journey.
Popular American/Korean actor Daniel Dae Kim (24, Lost, Hawaii Five-0) plays Drew's temple adversary who, much like the film itself, get better as time passes. The big Cliff Lenderman is great as their 'drill sarge' and joined Ng See Yuen a few years later for another Strandberg penned production, Superfights...
As expected, the finale of American Shaolin is all about good versus evil, and of course, showing that Drew's training in Shaolin Temple can help him beat smart ass and dirty fighter Trevor Gottitall (played by the gorgeous Trent Bushey in his only feature film and action role), in a fun end fight that has shades of No Retreat, No Surrender written all over it!
Just shy of a 2 hour running time and packed with Strandberg cheesiness, the film was clearly made for the American audience from its rock songs to its sports, as well as its attempt at humour. It's far from the 18 Bronzemen Of Shaolin or 36th Chamber Of Shaolin, but it director Lucas Lowe (No Retreat, No Surrender 3; King Of The Kickboxers) passes the time okay and entertains enough to warrant a watch.
Overall: I've seen worse. The Seasonal/Strandberg films are never amazing, but there is a certain charm that keeps you watching..!
