Better-then-average Hong Kong action film set among warring factions in old-time China. Unlike many Hong Kong films of similar ilk, the plot is intriguing, the characters are well-developed and the leading actors aren’t hammy. Unusually, the two main characters are introduced as baddies. Both Andy Lau as a general who becomes a Buddhist monk and his even badder side-kick Nicholas Tse are excellent, although how the flamboyant Nick can fight with floppy hair covering one eye is a mystery.
As for the action, director Benny Chan is a dab-hand at thrilling set-pieces, which here include an exciting cliff-top horse-and-carriage chase. The film sags a bit in the middle as Andy joins the Shaolin monks, but soon ramps up again to an extended action climax.
Based on the famous Jet Li movie The Shaolin Temple, Shaolin tells the story of a man hiding out in a Buddhist temple that is converted and becomes a religious hero.
The man, played by Andy Lau, is a Chinese warlord in the 1920’s who is redeemed by his experience in the temple and the movie plays the religious Zen Buddhist and redemption aspect a little to hard for this sceptic.
However the period aspect of the movie is handled well and the action is certainly non stop, which is as to be expected when the action chirographer/director of The Transporter was involved. By the close of the movie however it is a fairly straight forward martial arts movie, with all the beauty and epic drama of the genre. For fans of the genre it will be perfectly satisfactory, but a fair warning, don’t expect too much from the piece and you won’t be disappointed.