Shaolin Soccer (PG, 2004)

When former soccer superstar "Golden Leg" Fung sees Sing demonstrating Shaolin in the streets, he realizes the guy has what it takes to be a great soccer player. Sing (Stephen Chow) dreams of a world based on the principles of Shaolin. He realizes that becoming a soccer champion by using Shaolin techniques could bring his message to the masses. So, Sing agrees to help Fung start a team, and they invite Sing's brothers to form a team. At first, they suffer humiliating defeat. When they register for the big tournament, the owner of Fung's arch-nemeses Team Evil laughs at them. But then the games begin. The Shaolin team's magical leaps and kicks bring them to the final round where they must face Team Evil. But when the goalie is injured, who will replace him?

The most successful Hong Kong film ever, SHAOLIN SOCCER is a very traditional underdog sports team story told in a delightfully untraditional style, with whimsy, fantasy, and heart. The movie is pure silly fun with such wonderful spirit that even the dumbest jokes and most predictable developments seem brighter.

The film's visual imagination and effervescent good spirits are pure delight. A group of Chinese people spontaneously break into a dance number to the Kool and the Gang song, "Celebration." Soccer players fly through the sky and kick the ball the length of the field. A sweet bun maker (that is, a sweet maker of sweetbuns) uses kung fu to mix the flour and gets fired when the buns get sour after her tears fall into the batter. And the hero tells the heroine she is beautiful before her makeover.