Shaolin directed by Benny Chan

Shaolin

NR

Summary: As feuding warlords fight to expand their power, the noble monks of the Shaolin Temple clean up the mess left behind, tending to the injured while trying their best to protect the poor and weak. General Hou (Andy Lau, WARLORDS, HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS) has caused much of this mess with his violent and ruthless tactics that rarely discriminate between soldiers and civilians. When Hao is betrayed by fellow general Cao Man (Nicholas Tse, THE PROMISE, SHAOLIN SOCCER), he is forced into hiding, and takes refuge with the monks (including Jackie Chan) at their hidden mountain temple. As the days pass, he finds himself more and more at ease as he learns the ways of peace, and begins to release his hatred through Martial Zen. But Cao is not far behind, and war soon reaches the temple, where the monks are ready to fight back- with their unstoppable Shaolin Kung Fu.

My Review: I have to admit, I have seen my fair share of "Kung Fu” films. But the ones that always stand out for me, are the ones that offer more depth to the characters and overall plot. Shaolin definitely provides this. 

Set during what appears to be early 20's Feudal China, Shaolin is about a ruthless warlord named General Hao, deceived by a younger General, named Cao Man. After nearly missing several murderous attempts against him and his family, Hao manages to escape with his daughter, only to crash tragically over a cliff. Carrying his daughter to a nearby temple, Hao begs the monks to help his dying child. The monks remembering who Hao is, assist the child regardless of her family ties, but to no avail. 

Wanted, and alone, Hao decides to stay in the temple, much to the concern of the monks who wonder if he is even worthy of being in the temple at all for his past sins. Yet, the elder monk reminds the younger ones, that the ways of Buddha and enlightenment is about discovery and redemption--you can learn from your wicked ways, if you have never committed them to begin with. 

Hao begins to release his hatred for his past and those who have betrayed him by praticing Martial Zen. Living among the villagers and the other monks, Hao is able to see firsthand the devistation and pain, that he himself at one time caused as an evil warlord. Ironically, he learns a lot from a quirky cook that works and lives in the temple, played by Jackie Chan (and true to Jackie's style, there is some comedic fighting in the film.) In the end, these type of films are always about redemption.

Shaolin was a great martial arts film and I give it four stars. Definitely catch this film if it premieres in your local theatre.