Shaolin (2011)

After ambushing and killing his rival, losing everything in the process, dispirited warlord Hou Jie turns to a Shaolin monastery seeking salvation.

Director:

Benny Chan

Writers:

Alan Yuen (original screenplay), Chi Kwong Cheung

Stars:

Shaoqun Yu, Chen Zhiui, Xing Yu

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shaoqun Yu	...	Chinghai
Chen Zhiui	...	Huo Lung
Xing Yu	...	Chingkung
Jing Wu	...	Chingneng (as Jacky Wu)
Nicholas Tse	...	Tsao Man
Hai Yu	...	Abbot
Andy Lau	...	Hou Chieh / Chinochueh
Bingbing Fan	...	Madam Hou
Shimadu Runa	...	Nan
Xiaohong Shi	...	Sung Hu
Karl Eiselen	...	Peter (as Karl Robert Eislen)
Alexander Mukhanov	...	Roddick
Shi Tianshuo	...	Officer Shi
Qilong Li	...	Huo's Officer
Jin Youming	...	Hou's Butler

Storyline

China is plunged into strife as feuding warlords try to expand their power by warring over neighboring lands. Fuelled by his success on the battlefield, young and arrogant Hao Jie sneers at Shaolin's masters after killing a rival warlord on their temple grounds. But the glory comes before a fall. His own family is wiped out in an unexpected turn of events and Hao is forced to take refuge with the monks. As the civil unrest spreads and the people suffer, Hao and the Shaolin masters are forced to take a fiery stand against the evil warlords. They launch a daring plan of rescue and escape.

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Plot Keywords:

warlord | shaolin master | monk | china | martial arts | 

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Taglines:

In a land torn by strife, the righteous monks of Shaolin stand as a beacon of hope for the oppressed masses.

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Genres:

Action | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence

Details

Official Sites:

MovieScore Media [Sweden] Official site [Hong Kong]

Country:

Hong Kong China

Language:

Mandarin Cantonese

Release Date:

27 January 2011 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

Shaolin

Box Office

Budget:

$29,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$19,132 (USA) (9 September 2011)

Gross:

$64,327 (USA) (7 October 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Emperor Classic Films, China Film Group, Huayi Brothers Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

131 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally slated for a late 2010 release.

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Quotes

Cook: [to Huo Jie] I don't know an of this, all i know is it's worthless to train just the moves without the spirit.

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Connections

Featured in I guerrieri del dragone (2011)

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Soundtracks

Kaiser Bill's March
Written by Paul Lewis

User Reviews

Still good despite stick fighting monks somehow keep beating guns

China is being torn apart by feuding warlords and foreign powers. Hao Jie (Andy Lau) is a ruthless commander who kills all his rivals. He rejects foreign offers to built a railroad. His treacherous ways rebound on him when his underling Cao Man (Nicholas Tse) revolts with the help of the foreign power. Hao Jie loses everything including his precious daughter, and seeks help from Shaolin masters. He regains his humanity with their help including cooking monk Wudao (Jackie Chan).

I like the solid first half. It is poetic, dramatic, and compelling. However the movie couldn't resist its kung fu movie genes, and it devolves into a lot of unreal fighting. The fighting is more ridiculous since the troops with guns keep getting kicked around by monks with their sticks. It's still a good movie. The action looks good. However the message loses a bit.