Shaolin

Ratings: 7.4/10

Film Class: B

Genre: Action Drama (Chinese)

I've had the DVD for ages, and Shaolin had always been on my must-watch list... yet, I've kept procrastinating on watching it until now. It turned out that I was missing out on a pretty awesome movie. Shaolin is a 2011 Chinese action movie starring Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse and Jackie Chan, and is about a fallen ruthless general who learns the way of the Shaolin. This movie is ultimately about redemption and enlightenment, and a certain degree of forgiveness. Shaolin should probably be more aptly called "The Zen Master". 

There's lotsa character development and the movie is entirely spun around Andy Lau's character as a fallen general seeking redemption through being a Shaolin monk, in an era set in a warring China of feuding warlords. It's important to know what the entire movie is about, because if you're expecting Shaolin Soccer's kinda Kungfu, you'll be hugely disappointed. No "Tie Tou Gong" [iron head] or "Wu Ling Jiao" [thousand kicks?] exaggerated-type Kungfu, expect more realistic fighting because the movie isn't intended to glorify Shaolin Kungfu but focuses more on the teachings of Shaolin. 

I hated Nicholas Tse's character, which only showed how good an actor he is, especially acting as a villian. Jackie Chan's character on the other hand, was a huge disappointment. *major spoilers ahead* I had hoped that Jackie Chan was a kungfu master in disguise, but the director decided to just let him come along for the ride, stole no limelight or added no value to a Kungfu movie whatsoever apart from his super-china accent. 

Fan Bing Bing was also cast as Andy Lau's wife, a noteworthy eye-candy, standing out ever more so in a movie dominated by guys, and full of Shaolin monks. 

I think the success of Shaolin should fully be credited to Andy Lau, for his realistically convincing portrayal both as an arrogant and ruthless general, as well as a humble and forgiving monk.