Les arts martiaux de Shaolin

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.

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.

A good film by Shaw brothers, humor and action are center stage. I would have to say that the writing could've been better, but, it does not kill the movie.

Jet Li stars in this Shaw Brothers film from 1986. Li is a monk who's diligently studying his craft only causing a fuss on occasion (he secretly kills a snake, cooks it & stuffs the meat into his brothers' hot buns to eat) but when he hears the new ruler, who killed his family, is about to have a lavish, public gala as a celebration, he jumps (backflips?) at the chance to get his revenge even disguising himself as the head of a ceremonial parade animal. What he doesn't count on is a couple of freedom fighters, a man & a woman, have gotten the same idea & also attack. They fail & in the ensuing melee they scurry into the wilderness donning guises as they stay afoul of soldiers to hopefully get another chance at vengeance (which they do on an imperial barge) at film's end. Great to see an early Li performance as directed by Lau Kar-Leung who uses Li's physical dexterity & speed to great effect w/the gorgeous vistas of the countryside & even the Forbidden City to bolster the production value. A little too much hilarity mars an otherwise solid actioner but if that's your cup of tea, sip it.

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".