Nan bei Shao Lin

As for the other reviews, I think that they all got a point. But as for me, I'm a big fan of any traditional martial arts movies. And the martial arts movies of today got too much computer effects or do I need to say Wire Fu effects? Realistic fights are only viewable in old movies of movies with a low budget. I don't have a clue about the budget of this movie. But I can say that it's certainly entertaining. I can't agree more that a good movie must consist of some great soundtrack, good acting, a decent story etc. But heck, why would you watch this show for the story? Isn't a bit unreasonable to rate this movie for that aspect? None of the movies are perfect, so in this case the movie succeeds with the thing, that he's supposed to do. Yes, show us some realistic Shaolin Kung Fu.

Check it, if you like martial arts fights with a simple story. If not, then please avoid this one and look something similar like "Hero".

I saw this movie on the big screen here in boston a few weeks ago. I loved it. this was the jet back then, before he was lassoed down by the hong kong choreographers who are still wondering, 'til today, what to do with a five-time wushu champion of China. Jet got to show off his staff work, his broadsword, mantis fist, bagua zhang (the same kungfu the Evil Jet used in The One), his made up shaolin lohan fist, not to mention the kicks that he'd hardly perform anymore.

Lau Karleung had a lot to do with the fights looking so good as well, the fight scenes in first and second shaolin temple looked too much like live wushu sparring sets, too demo-like, but in this film Lau KarLeung really worked hard on intensifying the fight scenes and stylizing the hand-to-hand combat scenes. There were so many fight scenes, and each one of them looked different, emphasized on a different style/ technique...etc. There was even a fight scene with Jet dressed like a girl, pretending that he didn't know kungfu, and somehow defeating a bunch of soldiers. this was also the charming boyish, charismatic jet li that we hardly get to see anymore (not since Fong Sai Yuk anyways)--he was in drag, he was killing snakes for dinner, he had a crush...etc., and it was cute. The hoaky plot and music only added to it. The sentimental crap in this film wasn't too unbearable, kinda helped the film with its charms in fact.

So yeah, it was a good movie, and the fight scenes were incredible.

This is a strange film in HK movie history. It's possibly the last "traditional" Shaw brothers film, released a year after the film studio closed it's doors. In fact there are no scenes shot in HK at all. Nearly everything is on location in Mainland China. It's also the last Liu Chia Liang film working with his Shaw crew of cameramen and technicians. It's one of the first HK and Mainland co-productions and the first time Jet Li worked with anyone other than Mainland film crews. Jet Li has been unusually frank about his unhappiness with the work habits of the HK crew, director Liu included.

The story is clearly from HK as Jet Li gets into situations that would have been considered unacceptable in a Mainland production at that time. He plays a mischievous kung fu monk with an agenda for revenge against an evil warlord. He meets up with a girl with the same agenda but she's disguised as a boy which fools everyone but the audience. Many, many fight scenes with a generous helping of lion dancing.

The film is thematically the style of Liu's previous films for the Shaw studios right down to the woman dressed as a man plot device. If the story was a little bit more substantial perhaps this film would be as well known as Liu's other classics. It's easy to imagine replacing the entire Mainland acting company with the Shaw regulars. The camera work is in the Shaw style but with the added benefit of gorgeous Mainland landscapes and famous landmarks. The action is classic Liu Chia Liang choreography with a Mainland Wu Shu twist. The mass action scenes are exceptional.

Great action, Jet Li playing a comic character, excellent photography. Recommended.

hoping that Jonas Svensson doesn't mind my sarcastic echo to his comment. This is a really entertaining flick where you'll see exciting and competent kung-fu action and some funny moments. It is not hard to me to agree with Jonas about the lack of amazing acting skills and a solid screenplay but, you know, Al Pacino is a bad kung-fu performer and have been fired by the production and Federico Fellini was shooting "Ginger and Fred" that year. Jokes apart kung-fu enthusiasts know very well what is the spot in martian art films and this whole series do not ever miss it. Therefore if you like the good ol' Chinese martian art film style no fear and enjoy this really funny flick.

This film is packed with fighting from beginning to end. Jet Li is as always very impressive and so are all the other actors (in their fighting, that is). The acting isn't very good, though(not that i know any Chinese). The actors sound like babies shouting to each other and the evil guy's laugh is unbeatable. I like the Amiga-sounding sound effects, though, and the theme song just sticks to you're brain like glue on paper. There is also some nice scenery. I love this movie.