The problem with so very many Chinese martial arts films is their tendency to be cheapo junk. Kids of Shaolin, starring Jet Li back when he was a Chinese action film star is not cheap looking at all! Honestly though, nobody sees a martial arts film for the production value. They see it for the martial arts. This film's emphasis isn't so much on people beating the living daylights out of each other. Instead it's the acrobatics that are most on display. Of course, Jet Li as the oldest brother is a brilliant athlete, but he isn't the main attraction by far! The kids in the title are DAZZLING!!! There are a few scenes where the clan of Shaolin boys compete with the clan of Wu-Tang girls, trying to show each other up. These scenes are some of THE MOST IMPRESSIVE acrobatics I've seen anywhere. During these scenes, the background is filled with the beautiful and dramatic steep mountains and winding rivers of China. I really can't say enough about these scenes, which easily make the movie great. Don't get me wrong, it's not a perfect film by a long shot, but these kids are so impressive that they make this film a must-see.
17 Reviews
A very disappointing film
chris-83628 February 2000
Whereas "Shaolin Temple" had exciting action throughout the whole film and paced itself accordingly, this film had virtually no plot and waited until the very end for any real suspenceful action.
Don't get me wrong. The last fight scene was amazing and worth waiting for. It's just that the rest of the film left a lot to be desired. The competition between the boy artists and the girl artists was interesting at first, but after 45 minutes of no plot other than both sides taunting each other, I found myself tempted to hit the fast-forward button.
The fight scene at the end, as well as a few others in the film, show some serious artistry. Jet Li proves once again that he's one of the best artists in Hong Kong Cinema, and Master Pan (I forgot his first name) make a formidable villan.
The film is worth seeing for the action, but if you want to hit your fast fwd button a few times, you won't miss much.
Don't get me wrong. The last fight scene was amazing and worth waiting for. It's just that the rest of the film left a lot to be desired. The competition between the boy artists and the girl artists was interesting at first, but after 45 minutes of no plot other than both sides taunting each other, I found myself tempted to hit the fast-forward button.
The fight scene at the end, as well as a few others in the film, show some serious artistry. Jet Li proves once again that he's one of the best artists in Hong Kong Cinema, and Master Pan (I forgot his first name) make a formidable villan.
The film is worth seeing for the action, but if you want to hit your fast fwd button a few times, you won't miss much.
Fun little martial arts story
drngor10 March 2001
This was Jet Li's second movie and was once again a Mainland Chinese production. The tone is on the opposite end of Shaolin Temple's: light-hearted and fun. The movie tells the story of two families on different sides of a river: Yu Hai's family of Shaolin martial arts'trained boys(one of whom is Jet Li) and another guy's family of Wudang (Wu Tang) swordsmanship-trained girls. There's been a rivalry between the families and that's interfering with the wedding between various members of the families who love each other. Also, there are some vicious bandits who want revenge after Yu Hai rescued the boys and injured their leader.
The cast is made up of authentic wushu stylists, and it shows. Everyone knows how to fight in this movie. The little girls, the little boys, the men, the women, the thieves, etc. Therefore, all the action is pure, authentic Chinese martial arts (pole, sword, 3-sectional staff, etc). The choreography is a lot different than people today are used to. However, if you like your fighting w/o extensive use of wire and special FX, this is definitely worth checking out. My only gripe is that Jet Li has to compete with the rest of the cast in showing off his skills.
The main flaw of this film is that although everyone in the cast are martial artists, the ensemble casting and numerous sub-plots take away from character development and not every subplot gets to be developed. The story jumps from one character's story to the next, and therefore not everyone gets to be fully developed.
I must say that the story and the children made the film more endearing. Jet Li is probably at his most likable (he's up there with his performance in Fong Sai Yuk). The little children are pretty enjoyable little scamps, just don't go into the film expecting a dead-serious martial arts movie. It's light-hearted and fancy free.
The cast is made up of authentic wushu stylists, and it shows. Everyone knows how to fight in this movie. The little girls, the little boys, the men, the women, the thieves, etc. Therefore, all the action is pure, authentic Chinese martial arts (pole, sword, 3-sectional staff, etc). The choreography is a lot different than people today are used to. However, if you like your fighting w/o extensive use of wire and special FX, this is definitely worth checking out. My only gripe is that Jet Li has to compete with the rest of the cast in showing off his skills.
The main flaw of this film is that although everyone in the cast are martial artists, the ensemble casting and numerous sub-plots take away from character development and not every subplot gets to be developed. The story jumps from one character's story to the next, and therefore not everyone gets to be fully developed.
I must say that the story and the children made the film more endearing. Jet Li is probably at his most likable (he's up there with his performance in Fong Sai Yuk). The little children are pretty enjoyable little scamps, just don't go into the film expecting a dead-serious martial arts movie. It's light-hearted and fancy free.
Li lian jie performs to his cheeky best
rachdragon27 April 2000
i found Kids of Shaolin to be a light-hearted film, with some very funny moments. Jet Li's natural charm & cheekiness shine through, ably supported by fellow wushu team members. He doesn't perform as much wushu as he does in Shaolin Temple but it is still beautifully performed BY HIM. On alot of his later films (especially after Born to defence, where he hurt his back severely) he has substituted stunt men for the more intensive and dangerous fight choreography, which is fair enough considering he is not a trained stunt man. Therefore i relish watching this movie to see this gorgeous man do that wushu that he do so well!
Very Good
JACKIECHANSUX29 July 2002
I liked this movie. I did not in any way see how it was a sequel to "Shaolin Temple" though. It was funny, showed how human Jet Li is. It had some great fight scenes. The biggest downside to this movie was when the father of the Pheonix family finally got a boy and kissed him several times......If you see the movie you'll understand.
To the point
timbarclay6 January 2001
What this film lacks in plot, cunning script and subtlety, it more than makes up for in stunning Kung Fu action and amazing acrobatics from every member of the cast (however young). It's 'Romeo & Juliet'-esque storyline is cliched and quite predictable but the the film is worth a watch simply in order to wonder 'How did Jet Li do that?'.
Unbearably moronic, I shut it off at the 50 minute mark
callanvass15 September 2013
Warning: Spoilers
*Minor Spoilers*
I love Jet Li and I love Martial Art films. The first Shaolin Temple is not one of my favorites, but at least it was proficient in its approach. I have no idea what they were going for here, but it's one of the stupidest martial art films I have ever seen, and I wasn't able to finish it all. What was with all the singing? This is not a musical, this is martial arts. It also was a little too weird for me. There are some traditions here that really raised my eyebrows. The kids encourage spankings from their Father, and a Mother gives birth continuously from what I saw. I realize that may be part of a tradition of sorts, but it didn't fly with me, and tuned me out even further. I'll continue. Jet Li's character is extremely silly. We do get some fight scenes, but I was so angry at what I was seeing, I wasn't able to enjoy them. Not everyone will feel the same way, but this is just too crazy for its own good.
Final Thoughts: I'm not a big fan of the first one either, but it's at least proficiently done. I can't say the same for this one. One more sequel to go, and I'm not looking forward to it. Hopefully it's better than this crud
3/10
I love Jet Li and I love Martial Art films. The first Shaolin Temple is not one of my favorites, but at least it was proficient in its approach. I have no idea what they were going for here, but it's one of the stupidest martial art films I have ever seen, and I wasn't able to finish it all. What was with all the singing? This is not a musical, this is martial arts. It also was a little too weird for me. There are some traditions here that really raised my eyebrows. The kids encourage spankings from their Father, and a Mother gives birth continuously from what I saw. I realize that may be part of a tradition of sorts, but it didn't fly with me, and tuned me out even further. I'll continue. Jet Li's character is extremely silly. We do get some fight scenes, but I was so angry at what I was seeing, I wasn't able to enjoy them. Not everyone will feel the same way, but this is just too crazy for its own good.
Final Thoughts: I'm not a big fan of the first one either, but it's at least proficiently done. I can't say the same for this one. One more sequel to go, and I'm not looking forward to it. Hopefully it's better than this crud
3/10
After a very disappointing week, this was the highlight to be sure
treble_head15 May 2005
Brilliant movie. It's taken me a long time as an average white dude from America to appreciate Chinese comedy. It's definitely of a different sort. Jet Li is brilliant when he gets to show emotion other than stoic determination (his last 6 films or so). The ensemble cast was brilliant. This is sort of a Chinese 7 Brides for 7 Brothers (which, actually has a very similar feel and great choreography as well, worth checking out, seriously. I'm not kidding.) Most of the characters are archetypes, but never stereotypes. A lot of people will be turned off by this film, but I really feel that that would be due to an understanding of Chinese comedy. A particular instance would be when a character nearly gets his face planted in dog leavings, and it turns out he hadn't taken the fall. If you haven't seen Jui Kuen (Drunken Master, starring Jackie Chan, you won't get it). I have. I did. If you watch enough movies, you tend to understand the genre more. And if you haven't fast forward to the end battle and enjoy the mayhem. I bought this movie on DVD at my local Wallgreens for $3.99 and after watching it, I would easily pay $15 or more for this great piece of film. Jet Li in drag, little kids kicking ass, musical numbers, what more could you want? Great DVD transfer from Saturn Prodictions, as well. Subtitles that are easy to read, full widescreen. Great stuff.
Perhaps the worst thing Jet Li has ever done.
Vegas-67 July 2000
Sweet mother of pearl. This movie was quite awful. Slow early, slow in the middle, Great at the end. A bit of humor here and there, mostly related to buttocks and testicles. The final fight scene was sufficently over-the-top for my tastes, but I'd say it's not even worth renting. If you do rent, fast forward to 11 minutes before the end of the tape, and you get pretty much all the action right then and there. Of particular intrest is the guy with a spear being pushed into his neck until a slingshot comes in....
Fun, lighthearted martial arts movie
Pilsung8927 April 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Shaolin Temple 2 follows 'Shaolin Temple', the movie that debuted Jet Li and shot him into super-stardom. The only real links between Shaolin Temple and Shaolin Temple 2 are that they both have Shaolin monks and feature a cast of real life Wushu champions. Many actors from the original appear again, playing different characters.
As opposed to the first Shaolin Temple movie, the tone in this one is that of a lighthearted, funny, family film. The movie itself is about two rivaling family on opposite sides of a river, a Shaolin family of all boys and a swordsmanship family of all girls. The father of the sword family despises the other family. Jet Li, still a teenager when he made this film, is at his absolute prime and looks simply amazing. He plays the eldest son of the Shaolin family. He demonstrates some amazing skills, mainly his staff-work and 3-sectional staff-work.
Jet Li may be the main attraction, but he's not the only one. Another amazing aspect of this film is the children from both families. The children cast were from the junior national Wushu team, and it shows. Everybody knows how to fight, and all of the children have tremendous talent. It's a real shame none of them grew up to be action stars. Just like in the first Shaolin Temple, the actors choreographed all of the action scenes themselves, and all the fight scenes are done in long shots to make it look more realistic.
Do be warned before letting real young ones watch this, though. There is some comedy revolving around private parts, and certain personal parts are briefly exposed in the movie. Other than that, a pretty awesome movie and an excellent job by Jet Li. 9/10.
As opposed to the first Shaolin Temple movie, the tone in this one is that of a lighthearted, funny, family film. The movie itself is about two rivaling family on opposite sides of a river, a Shaolin family of all boys and a swordsmanship family of all girls. The father of the sword family despises the other family. Jet Li, still a teenager when he made this film, is at his absolute prime and looks simply amazing. He plays the eldest son of the Shaolin family. He demonstrates some amazing skills, mainly his staff-work and 3-sectional staff-work.
Jet Li may be the main attraction, but he's not the only one. Another amazing aspect of this film is the children from both families. The children cast were from the junior national Wushu team, and it shows. Everybody knows how to fight, and all of the children have tremendous talent. It's a real shame none of them grew up to be action stars. Just like in the first Shaolin Temple, the actors choreographed all of the action scenes themselves, and all the fight scenes are done in long shots to make it look more realistic.
Do be warned before letting real young ones watch this, though. There is some comedy revolving around private parts, and certain personal parts are briefly exposed in the movie. Other than that, a pretty awesome movie and an excellent job by Jet Li. 9/10.
Really awful
jakerocks7 April 2024
So many songs! They don't even provide subtitles for the songs but they are clearly making poop jokes and saying crass things based on their gestures.
The whole thing is over the top campiness. Meanwhile making allusions to a mother who can only give birth to girls and therefore ruining her husband's life and the joke of the entire village. I wanted to like it and give it a chance but the movie just keeps digging a deeper and deeper hole into the realms of bad taste.
I'm surprised this even passed the censors when it came out. But I guess the Chinese film industry thought this was good clean fun? It's terrible. Jet Li is one of my favorite martial artists but this is one to skip.
The whole thing is over the top campiness. Meanwhile making allusions to a mother who can only give birth to girls and therefore ruining her husband's life and the joke of the entire village. I wanted to like it and give it a chance but the movie just keeps digging a deeper and deeper hole into the realms of bad taste.
I'm surprised this even passed the censors when it came out. But I guess the Chinese film industry thought this was good clean fun? It's terrible. Jet Li is one of my favorite martial artists but this is one to skip.
Good martial art flick in which even the kids are playing for real.
zzmale13 January 2004
Like the first Jet Li's movie, the Shaolin Temple (1979), this movie is also excellent in that all actors are professional martial arts athletes of Chinese national and provincial teams, including the boys and girls from the national/provincial junior teams. Hence, all moves are realistic and there is no stunts, no cranes, no cable, no fakes, and no special effects like Jet Li's later works such as Lethal Weapon 4. As martial arts flicks in China developed, it inevitably took the similar road to that of Hong Kong and Taiwan with increasing fakes, and earlier flicks like this is thus really a masterpiece in comparison.
Amazing crossover - kids, martial arts, opera, comedy
azche242 February 2022
If there ever was a crossover between Chinese opera, comedy, traditional marital arts film and Disney-like "kids film" - this is it!
Distributed also as "Meister der Shaolin 2" and "Shao Lin xiao zi" this is about the most charming, playful and athletic martial arts film i have seen so far. The plot about 2 rivaling families each consisting of boys and girls only is driven by about 20 young Chinese kids from 6 to 20 years old, who are already experts in all kinds of marital arts. The film develops as a light crossover between comedy and opera (which makes it strange for western audiences) and never lets down. Full of amazingly strange, awkward and funny jokes (sometimes not "correct" in our definition, when kids are whipped or such), outstanding "hand-made" action without any wires or FX and a light-hearted playful performance by the kids. Jet Li (then about 20 years old as a young man already very charming and the girls don't fail either. Very much recommended if you can get a copy.
Distributed also as "Meister der Shaolin 2" and "Shao Lin xiao zi" this is about the most charming, playful and athletic martial arts film i have seen so far. The plot about 2 rivaling families each consisting of boys and girls only is driven by about 20 young Chinese kids from 6 to 20 years old, who are already experts in all kinds of marital arts. The film develops as a light crossover between comedy and opera (which makes it strange for western audiences) and never lets down. Full of amazingly strange, awkward and funny jokes (sometimes not "correct" in our definition, when kids are whipped or such), outstanding "hand-made" action without any wires or FX and a light-hearted playful performance by the kids. Jet Li (then about 20 years old as a young man already very charming and the girls don't fail either. Very much recommended if you can get a copy.
Anvenge my death? Not this time...
jonspain16 October 2002
Many of my friends who I have convinced to check this movie out are ready to chase me out the house after watching the opening scene and singing, but after watching the fight scenes they usually gain a little more respect for the movie. Although many of the same actors showed up from the original Shaolin Temple, the storyline is completely different, and the tone of part 2 is lighthearted, which may turn many off. This movie is one of my all-time favorite martial arts films because I haven't found many films that highlight young children sparring off (besides the "My Father is a Hero" boy who's name I forgot) and I personally love to see the women get in the action. The last fight scene is great, but what did it for me was the children's competition. Seeing them play fight in animal styles was magic. A good movie, my friends who hated on this movie just felt like a "kiddie" movie like this was an assault on their manhood
What a Kung Fu movie!
jackchan2920005 April 2005
Warning: Spoilers
When my father introduced me to the Jet Li movies I choose 'Shaolin Temple'. The second movie I choose was 'Kids From Shaolin'. I like this movie and I think the Kung Fu is great especially Jet lo and the other children's. It has a lot of comedy and great action. I like the end where the good guys and the bad guys fight together. The bad guys look scary especially the part where one of them stabs the other one with a spear on the other and his not dead! When Jet Li's sister drys to stab the bad guy his not dead. But jet lo's brother shoots the bad guy with a rock and the bad guy is dead. It was a tough fight between the good guys and the bad guys but at the end the good guys won and i like the part where the good guys throw the bad guy at the river. it was really funny.
straight up
greenveg18 October 1999
This film lives up to the Shaolin Temple series and again Pan delivers and amazing performance, I mean how great of a guy is he. He is genuine top class wushu material. What can I say, I just love the guy, almost as much as Q-tip's "Vivrant Thing." I hope to see another film of his soon.
A good movie considering...
Dhurgan1 December 2001
I just bought this movie on DVD, mainly because of Jet-Li and my goal to get most of his movies, but also because I like martial arts films and the way they tell a story different, especially in the earlier ones.
This story appealed to me for the very reason that others think its bad, I like the funny interludes and the interwoven stories. I also think that the kids are really fun and worthwhile to look at. My only regret is that they as per usual, draw the fights out forever, but at the same time that is part of the charm I guess.
I wish the DVD or IMDb would have had a better casting with pictures since I simply cannot read the Chinese and I really would like to know other movies that the tomboy girl had played in, if anyone knows her name, i would appreciate an email :-)
All in all, quite an OK movie with good kung-fu with a "no harm done" stamp.
This story appealed to me for the very reason that others think its bad, I like the funny interludes and the interwoven stories. I also think that the kids are really fun and worthwhile to look at. My only regret is that they as per usual, draw the fights out forever, but at the same time that is part of the charm I guess.
I wish the DVD or IMDb would have had a better casting with pictures since I simply cannot read the Chinese and I really would like to know other movies that the tomboy girl had played in, if anyone knows her name, i would appreciate an email :-)
All in all, quite an OK movie with good kung-fu with a "no harm done" stamp.
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