The Movie

Shaolin Family Soccer, which is also known as The Silly Kung Fu Family, is a family oriented action/comedy. The feature was made in 2004 and holds a premise somewhat similar to Mrs. Doubtfire. The movie is basically about a guy who tries to re-insert himself into his son's life by dressing in drag and posing as the nanny of his undisciplined grandson. There is also a subplotline about the cross-dressing hero and his old buddies that he used to play soccer with. As an overall movie, it is pretty light on purpose and even lighter on laughs. In the end, it is a pretty generic movie that individuals from a young audience will appreciate. However, good luck getting them to read the subtitles.

The main hero in this film is Big Master. He used to play on a soccer team, but left to start a business. His business grew and he became rich. Over the years he has lost touch with his soccer buddies and even his son, who he hopes to reunite with. In the opening of the movie, Big Master's buddies are getting beat up by their arch-nemesis Brother Hong. Brother Hong wants to prevent the soccer team from playing in the next match. By chance, Big Master comes to the rescue of an old friend as he is being beaten by Hong's goons. He learns about Hong's intentions and states he will rejoin the soccer team, but must first reconnect with his son.

Big Master's son is Gou Fung and everyone calls him Mr. Q. He is a young and upcoming businessman who is very dedicated to his job. He is divorced, but in a steady relationship with Wai Lin. She is also dedicated to her career and not really big on kids. In fact, she wants Gou Fung to send Pak Go to boarding school. Part of her justification is that it is impossible to find someone to care for him. He is a spoiled and undisciplined kid who has sent eight nannies packing. This is key to Big Master's plot. He puts on a dress and wig to become Lun Ma, the new nanny.

As the new nanny, Big Master tries to get back on good terms with the family. While playing the nanny, he slowly develops a relationship with the grandkid Pak Go. At first, Pak Go is his rowdy usual self. He tries to make things difficult for Lun Ma. But it doesn't work, because Big Master is there to stay. Eventually, Pak Go and Big Master come to terms with each other and work together. Their goal is to get rid of Wai Lin, so Pak Go's real mother May can come back into the picture. Of course, during Big Master's adventures as a cross-dresser, he also finds himself leading his former soccer to against Brother Hong. He gets to play soccer dressed in drag, as not to blow his cover.

What works for this movie is very little. I really had a difficult time sitting through it. The entire movie has a plot that is very simplistic and the various comical slapstick situations are far from humorous. The comedy is over-the-top and comes off as unbelievable and juvenile. While I did not enjoy it, I can easily see how some would find this type of comedy appealing. It is very slapstick oriented and tends to be something similar to goofy feel-good family flicks like Mrs. Doubtfire or Are We There Yet?. The point is that Shaolin Family Soccer makes a good movie for kids. The problem is that it is in Chinese and good luck getting young kids to read the subtitles.

Overall, Shaolin Family Soccer is not a remarkable movie. Despite being called Shaolin Family Soccer, it is nothing like the Hong Kong flick of a similar name Shaolin Soccer. At a quick glance, I thought was a connection between the two films. On that note, Shaolin Family Soccer has little to do with soccer. The primary plotline is about the bonding between a grandfather and his grandson, as well as reconnecting the entire family together with separated parents. It is a frou-frou feel good plot that does not deliver enough solid content to entertain. In the end, this movie is best for a young audience and unfortunately due to the fact it is subtitle, it probably won't appeal to a large base of youths when they can watch films of a similar nature in their native language.

Video:
The video is given in 1.78:1 ratio anamorphic widescreen color. The picture quality is generally good, but there is noticeable dirt and distortions in the transfer. Considering this movie was produced in 2004, it is off putting. Those with big screens will really be able to notice it.

Audio:
The audio is given in its Mandarin Chinese 2.0 Dolby digital stereo sound. The audio quality is acceptable and on par with a production of this caliber. It is dialogue driven and individuals are easy to hear throughout. There are subtitles in English.

Extras:
For extras, Shaolin Family Soccer does not have much. There are trailers for Black Magic, The Magic Blade, The Super Inframan, The Water Margin, Intimate Confessions Of A Chinese Courtesan, Have Sword, Will Travel, Heaven And Hell, The Cave Of Silken Web, Legendary Weapons Of China, The Deadly Breaking Sword, The Wandering Swordsman, Vengeance Is A Golden Blade, The Shadow Whip, Bells Of Death, Shaolin Intruders, Fearless Fighters, Bloody Brothers, Angel Of Vengeance, Exorcist Master, The Executioner, Blood Stained Tradewinds, Chase From Beyond, China Heat, Shaolin Family Soccer, Lying Hero, Madam City Hunter, Retreat Of The Godfather, and Revenge of Scar Face.

Final Thoughts:
Shaolin Family Soccer is about a guy who dresses in drag and pretends to be a nanny to get back into his son's life by taking care of his troublesome grandson. During his efforts, he learns his grandson is trying to get his dad back with his mom. The grandfather helps out in the effort. Meanwhile, he leads his old soccer team to victory and stands up against a thug. The movie's plot is very simplistic, as its attempts at humor. There are a few decent moments, but for the most part it comes off as pretty over-the-top and less than exciting. The movie just doesn't work and is probably best for young kids (who probably won't be too excited about the subtitles.) In the end, Shaolin Family Soccer is a bad movie that should not be mistaken with or connected to the hilarious Hong Kong flick Shaolin Soccer.