A very enjoyable movie, Jet Li is phenomenal, his movements really sell the action.
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skullfire-480129 April 2019
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callanvass14 October 2013I must admit that I am glad to be finally done with this trilogy. I have now seen all three films, and neither really brought the merit that I was expecting them too. The first was solid, but nothing special. The second one was an atrocity, whilst the third one is fairly enjoyable. Shaolin Temple III has a solid medium of drama & comedy, mostly leaning towards the comedy side of things. The humor is quite silly, and doesn't offer many laughs, but at least it's not overkill like the second one, or the cruel style of humor that the first one had. The action is the main reason to see this one. We get plenty of exciting fights, which are expertly paced. Jet Li's acrobatics are out of this world, and he made sure to make up for the second one's shortcomings in the fights department. I also dug the opening. Jet Li ferociously punching at a tree, evokes memories of Rocky punching the meat.
Final Thoughts: It's not something I'll ever watch again, but it's not bad for a one time watch. The fights deliver in a big way, and I was entertained by them. It's worth a look
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kyla-7230210 November 2021There were some really nice fight sequences, and some really colourful spectacle. I really enjoyed the visuals.
I watched this on amazon prime and they only seemed to have a dubbed copy available, which is unfortunate, cause the English dubbing on martial arts film is always dreadful. Everyone talked like 1930s actors, which made it very difficult to take anyone seriously.
It was pretty draggy at times. I thought at one point, wow, this is a really long movie, only to discover that it is 90 minutes, (The right length!) and that I was 1 hour and 22 minutes in. This could have been an hour instead.
There were some theological inconsistancies that I think were supposed to be a large part of the plot, but fell a bit flat. We can put some of that blame on the dubbing I'm sure. -
nomoretitanic14 June 2003I saw this movie on the big screen here in boston a few weeks ago. I loved it. this was the jet back then, before he was lassoed down by the hong kong choreographers who are still wondering, 'til today, what to do with a five-time wushu champion of China. Jet got to show off his staff work, his broadsword, mantis fist, bagua zhang (the same kungfu the Evil Jet used in The One), his made up shaolin lohan fist, not to mention the kicks that he'd hardly perform anymore.
Lau Karleung had a lot to do with the fights looking so good as well, the fight scenes in first and second shaolin temple looked too much like live wushu sparring sets, too demo-like, but in this film Lau KarLeung really worked hard on intensifying the fight scenes and stylizing the hand-to-hand combat scenes. There were so many fight scenes, and each one of them looked different, emphasized on a different style/ technique...etc. There was even a fight scene with Jet dressed like a girl, pretending that he didn't know kungfu, and somehow defeating a bunch of soldiers. this was also the charming boyish, charismatic jet li that we hardly get to see anymore (not since Fong Sai Yuk anyways)--he was in drag, he was killing snakes for dinner, he had a crush...etc., and it was cute. The hoaky plot and music only added to it. The sentimental crap in this film wasn't too unbearable, kinda helped the film with its charms in fact.
So yeah, it was a good movie, and the fight scenes were incredible. -
skullfire-4801223 April 2019A good film by Shaw brothers, humor and action are center stage. I would have to say that the writing could've been better, but, it does not kill the movie.
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gavin694219 November 2016Zhi Ming (Jet Li) weasels out of the north Shaolin temple to assassinate a despotic ruler at the ruler's extravagant public birthday celebration.
This film is notable as the only collaboration between film director Lau Kar-leung and actor Jet Li. It is the third part of the successful Shaolin film series which began with "Shaolin Temple" (1982) and was followed by "Kids From Shaolin" (1984). Although it stars many Mainland actors from either or both predecessor films (Jet Li, Yu Chenghui, Yu Hai, Hu Jianqiang and Huang Qiuyan), "Martial Arts Of Shaolin" uses a Hong Kong production crew from Shaw Brothers Studio, in contrast to the other two films (which are Hong Kong-funded but are shot by a Mainland director with a Mainland crew).
The production values, especially the set, are a dramatic improvement over the old Chang Cheh films. So, for that, the film is to be commended. But is there much new to offer? For me, not so much. Also, the movie really drives home the theme music. I like the idea of using the music over and over in different ways, but they seem to have used the same melody for almost 75% of the film, which is a bit obnoxious. -
BandSAboutMovies8 December 2022The only collaboration between film director Lau Kar-leung and actor Jet Li, Martial Arts of Shaolin has Li playing Lin Zhi-ming, a young man training to become one of the best fighters in the Northern Shaolin school. Orphaned as a child, he was raised by the Shaolin Temple but has a tendency to break the rules, such as teaching his skills to the local children. One day, he learns that two of them will be performing a dance at the celebration for magistrate He Suo - the very same tyrant who killed Zhi-ming's family. He asks them to let him perform instead. At the same time, Si-ma Yan (Huang Qiuyan) - the niece of the master of Southern Shaolin - decides that this is the time that she too should finally avenge her family and murder He Suo.
The secret ankle band that Zhi-ming has is shared by Si-ma Yan, meaning that they are fated to be together. However, he is honor bound to the Shaolin and even after being caught by his master, he agrees to serve a punishment as he went against his school. This means that he can never be with her, but again, duty to the Shaolin is above all else.
This is actually the third film in a series that includes Shaolin Temple and Kids from Shaolin. You don't need to see those movies to understand this, as it can stand all by itself. Actually, it's pretty close to the original film's plot. -
ChungMo10 June 2006This is a strange film in HK movie history. It's possibly the last "traditional" Shaw brothers film, released a year after the film studio closed it's doors. In fact there are no scenes shot in HK at all. Nearly everything is on location in Mainland China. It's also the last Liu Chia Liang film working with his Shaw crew of cameramen and technicians. It's one of the first HK and Mainland co-productions and the first time Jet Li worked with anyone other than Mainland film crews. Jet Li has been unusually frank about his unhappiness with the work habits of the HK crew, director Liu included.
The story is clearly from HK as Jet Li gets into situations that would have been considered unacceptable in a Mainland production at that time. He plays a mischievous kung fu monk with an agenda for revenge against an evil warlord. He meets up with a girl with the same agenda but she's disguised as a boy which fools everyone but the audience. Many, many fight scenes with a generous helping of lion dancing.
The film is thematically the style of Liu's previous films for the Shaw studios right down to the woman dressed as a man plot device. If the story was a little bit more substantial perhaps this film would be as well known as Liu's other classics. It's easy to imagine replacing the entire Mainland acting company with the Shaw regulars. The camera work is in the Shaw style but with the added benefit of gorgeous Mainland landscapes and famous landmarks. The action is classic Liu Chia Liang choreography with a Mainland Wu Shu twist. The mass action scenes are exceptional.
Great action, Jet Li playing a comic character, excellent photography. Recommended. -
raven-pictures9 January 2002Impressive Martial Arts does not necessarily make a good movie. Nan Bei Shao Lin proved to me to be a lousy film without any means to tell a intressting story, the lack of storyline and acting skills makes this film dive down to the bottom of my list over favorite jet lee films. Most of it felt more like a musical than a film, I guess it's only for the die hard Jet Lee fans only.
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astelix27 October 2007hoping that Jonas Svensson doesn't mind my sarcastic echo to his comment. This is a really entertaining flick where you'll see exciting and competent kung-fu action and some funny moments. It is not hard to me to agree with Jonas about the lack of amazing acting skills and a solid screenplay but, you know, Al Pacino is a bad kung-fu performer and have been fired by the production and Federico Fellini was shooting "Ginger and Fred" that year. Jokes apart kung-fu enthusiasts know very well what is the spot in martian art films and this whole series do not ever miss it. Therefore if you like the good ol' Chinese martian art film style no fear and enjoy this really funny flick.
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I love a good Kung fu movie, well who doesn't? This one annoyed the hell out of me. Someone please stop the soundtrack during this film. Never stops. The movie seems to be shot after everyone had 50 cups of black coffee. Calm down and let us all in on what's going on. Who are you? Why are you doing what you're doing? Who are they? I never seem someone (Jet Li) wash their face that fast in a river. Pace is not everything. Action is predictable and choreography is ok. I will sit through damn near anything but this one was rough.
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wandering-star22 October 2006This great film brings together Jet Li and titan-of-a-martial-arts-director Lau Kar-Leung (Seven Swords, Drunken Master II, among scores of others).
Jet Li plays Zhi Ming, a monk in one of the northern shaolin schools who learns that the man who killed his parents, Lord He Suo, is holding a birthday celebration. He leaves the monastery without permission on a quest for vengeance. During the assassination attempt he joins up with Sima Yan and Chao Wei, also wronged by He Suo and out for revenge.
This film is not only chock full of great fights superbly choreographed, but also has plentiful demonstrations of kung fu as the beautiful martial art form that it is. The traditional Chinese dragon dance and drumming at He Suo's birthday celebration is also captivating.
Another strength is the unparalleled scenes for some of these fights - from the Great Wall, to ancient temples, to green valleys surrounded by breathtaking mountainous panoramas. This movie makes you want to travel to China.
Definitely recommended for fans of the genre. -
Devilfruits18 April 2006As for the other reviews, I think that they all got a point. But as for me, I'm a big fan of any traditional martial arts movies. And the martial arts movies of today got too much computer effects or do I need to say Wire Fu effects? Realistic fights are only viewable in old movies of movies with a low budget. I don't have a clue about the budget of this movie. But I can say that it's certainly entertaining. I can't agree more that a good movie must consist of some great soundtrack, good acting, a decent story etc. But heck, why would you watch this show for the story? Isn't a bit unreasonable to rate this movie for that aspect? None of the movies are perfect, so in this case the movie succeeds with the thing, that he's supposed to do. Yes, show us some realistic Shaolin Kung Fu.
Check it, if you like martial arts fights with a simple story. If not, then please avoid this one and look something similar like "Hero". -
AlbinH19 October 2000This film is packed with fighting from beginning to end. Jet Li is as always very impressive and so are all the other actors (in their fighting, that is). The acting isn't very good, though(not that i know any Chinese). The actors sound like babies shouting to each other and the evil guy's laugh is unbeatable. I like the Amiga-sounding sound effects, though, and the theme song just sticks to you're brain like glue on paper. There is also some nice scenery. I love this movie.
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meleva25 November 2004This movie is a lot of fun. The story is simple but the martial arts presented is really worth seeing. A crew of masters was teamed up for this hit. And there is also this wonderful woman dancing at He Sao's birthday party - fantastic! Different than in his recent roles, where he is just keeping quite and looking cool all the time (which he does), Jet Li is allowed to show his talent as a actor in this film. His performance is very good. He brings this movie to life. The Kung Fu performances are (mostly) realistic and people who practice Kung Fu will tend to try some of the movements. They show different takes from the mantis.
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Leofwine_draca3 February 2022This surprise instalment in the Jet Li franchise sees Shaw director Liu Chia Liang decamping to the mainland to shoot some impressive, immersive, large-scale brawling. The story is as negligible as ever and the comedy so-so, but after half an hour this turns into an action-packed romp that depicts a running battle between our three heroes and the endless bad guys. Great choreography as you'd expect and wonderful scenery make this a joy to look at.
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zimmonskalle22 July 2001the whole film is played in fast forward and especielly the scene with guys with bows shooting at him...
the rest is ok.. no.. it sucks for being a jet li movie... anyway. The story is kinda weird... I mean you get the story but you dont feel like "god damn it... he gotta have e revange" or stuff like that and yea... thats it.. -
As someone who hasn't watched a lot of Shaw Brothers movies I was enjoying this one quite a bit.
The movies puts it's focus mainly on action and comedy. The comedy is not very outstanding but the action makes up for it. And boy does the movie go out on fighting scenes, it was honestly a little bit too much action and too little story. I better balance would have made this movie a classic in my opinion. The acting is also passable but it was overall still enjoyable. It's one of those movies that has a lot of fun and is less serious. There are a lot of great outdoor shoots. I've rarely seen so much beautiful scenery in a HK movie, very impressive stuff. The heart of the movie is the growing friendship of the three main characters. They have good chemistry and their journey is quite endearing. It's stuff like this why I enjoy classic HK films. We barely see these kind of slowly growing relationships in modern films, be it from western or eastern part of the world. Some people complain that the music might be a bit overbearing, but anyone who is familiar with Easterns should not be surprised.
One reason I haven't watched so many Shaw Brother movies is that I always felt that the action choreography feels a bit too wooden and rehearsed. This one was definitely much better than I expected and is closer to the golden age with impressive camera work that elevates a lot of the performances. Especially the last fight is quite memorable.
Although a bit flawed, the movie is definitely a recommend if one isn't bothered by the sillyness or the meager storyline.