Shaolin Soccer
Miramax Films | Release Date: August 15, 2003 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
68
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 24 Critic Reviews
Positive:
20
Mixed:
4
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
88
Boston GlobeJanice Page
As goofy action comedies go, Shaolin Soccer is one of the best. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
An infectious knockabout kung fu comedy with amusing special effects combined with breathtaking stunts. Read full review
80
SlateDavid Edelstein
Whatever this universe is, you're inside it, with your mouth open, wishing that all sporting events could be this exhilarating, that all human bodies could work this way, that all simpleminded movies could be this mindfully empty-headed. Read full review
80
Washington PostMichael O'Sullivan
Shaolin Soccer really loves what it mocks, after all, and that grandly goofy affection -- nay, joy -- for all things chop socky is purely, utterly contagious. Read full review
80
Washington PostDesson Thomson
Shaolin Soccer is "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" with soccer balls, a touch of Sergio Leone and not one microsecond of seriousness. Read full review
75
PremiereGlenn Kenny
Comedy-action lunacy of a truly high, and endlessly bizarre, order. Read full review
75
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
Infectiously entertaining comedy. Read full review
75
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Everything you've ever loved (or hated) but were afraid to laugh at in Asian martial-arts movies, ''Matrix''-ian bullet-time actioners, and Farrellyesque slapstick comedies -- all rolled into Hong Kong's highest-grossing local production ever. Read full review
75
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
Proving there's always a new way to tell an old story, Stephen Chow pulls out all the stops for one of the silliest, sweetest and most fun family films in recent memory. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleCarla Meyer
Delightful blend of comedy, kung fu, soccer and special effects. Read full review
75
USA TodayClaudia Puig
Shaolin Soccer's infectious style has a way of lifting spirits. You don't have to be a fan of soccer or kung fu to enjoy it. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
It is piffle, yes, but superior piffle. Read full review
75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Ray Conlogue
One of Stephen Chow's extravagant and very funny martial-arts spoof movies. Read full review
70
L.A. WeeklyJohn Patterson
The movie has a rambunctious and likable energy that compensates for its unsteady, only intermittently amusing narrative. Read full review
70
Film ThreatEric Campos
The one thing that keeps this movie from being an instant classic is its tendency towards childishly goofy humor. I guess it all depends on how you like your funny. Read full review
70
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
The ridiculously entertaining Shaolin Soccer pulls out all the stops to make sure viewers stay happy. Read full review
70
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
A spirited crowd-pleaser. Read full review
63
New York PostV.A. Musetto
If you're looking for substance in a Hong Kong movie, stick with Wong Kar-wai ("In the Mood for Love"). But if brainless, predictable fun will do, check out Shaolin Soccer. Read full review
63
Chicago TribuneMichael Wilmington
The movie overflows with action, slapstick and cliches, but the cliches never impede the action, and the slapstick is so expertly performed, it doesn't annoy you -- much. Read full review
63
Miami HeraldPeter Debruge
Shaolin Soccer applies everything you love about Hong Kong action flicks to the paint-by-numbers sports-movie formula. Read full review
60
Village VoiceEd Park
Crammed with wild action, obvious but well-mounted gags, and playful effects, the film is refreshingly silly. Read full review
60
Dallas ObserverMelissa Levine
It's mildly amusing, good for occasional laughs and satisfying grunts of appreciation. But it's far from inspired. It's just goofy and fun, sort of. Read full review
50
The New York TimesA.O. Scott
So unabashed in its cheesiness that it could be spread on crackers; it may spike your cholesterol levels Read full review
50
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
The film's much-vaunted stunts are deliberately unrealistic, from over-the-top wire-work to CGI-soccer balls that streak through the air like flaming cannon balls. Read full review
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