Customer Reviews

Shaolin Temple [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This film was more of a display of Shaolin gung fu than a movie. The story line was weak but if you are a real martial arts fan it would not matter. The demonstration by the monks and by Jet Li with various weapons and empty hand forms were amazing. I think it occupied about 90 percent of the movie which is fine if you're not extremely into a story line. The translation and subtitle makes little scence anyways. Overall, I was really impressed by the martial arts aspect of this film.

The fight scenes were well choreographed but not as nicely done as by HK directors. Nevertheless it is real kung-fu demonstrated by real martial artists here. You will see Jet Li doing solo demo with the broad sword, the lance, and the 3 sectional staff. And he also demonstrates empty hand forms as well. These footages were taken and put in Shaolin Kung-fu, a documentary with Jet Li as the host done in 1993 I think. It is Jet's film debut and he performed brilliantly. The story was no big deal and there weren't any lavashing fight scenes. People went to watch it because it was refreshing that there still exist people who can do real martial arts. Because of this film, restoration of the Shaolin Temple was started and children and adults were flocking to the temple to train where Jet Li trained in the movie