SHAOLIN - the 2011 film

[GeneChing]

There are more news stories, but I'm in a rush right now, so I'll only post this one. Click for pix.

Fresh 'Shaolin Temple' Goes For Drama Over Kung Fu
by The Associated Press
HONG KONG January 19, 2011, 01:28 am ET

It's the kung fu classic that launched the career of a then little-known 17-year-old Chinese martial arts champion called Jet Li.

Nearly three decades later, "The Shaolin Temple" has received a blockbuster update, with the backing of the famous center of fighting monks of the title and the setting of the 1982 release. Veteran Hong Kong action director Benny Chan has written a new story and cast some of the biggest names in Chinese cinema — Jackie Chan, Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse and Fan Bingbing.

It is the latest screen portrayal of the 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple in central China, whose kung fu monks have been featured in many TV series and movies. But the 2011 version is only the second to be authorized by temple officials.

Benny Chan, who directed Jackie Chan in some of his recent Hong Kong action thrillers including "Who Am I?," "New Police Story" and "Rob-B-Hood," is unabashed about being a crowd-pleaser.

"I am a commercial director. I am not an art-house director. I don't know how to create very artistic shots. I don't know how to shoot slowly," the Hong Kong filmmaker told The Associated Press in a recent interview.

But fans who are expecting an action-packed extravaganza must think twice. Unlike the 1982 original, which featured trademark Shaolin-style moves, Chan's focus is drama — not kung fu. And Chan says he asked choreographer Corey Yuen to imbue the flashy action sequences the film does have with what he calls the spirit of "Zen fighting" — a composed style that stresses personal development over violence.

"The Shaolin Temple" is a revenge story — Li plays a young boy adopted and trained by Shaolin monks who tries to avenge his father's death. For the 135-minute update, simply called "Shaolin," Benny Chan crafted an ambitious story arch. Set in China's warlord era shortly after the downfall of imperial rule in the early 20th century, Lau plays a local military ruler paranoid about being betrayed by an ally. He devised an assassination plot, only to be double-crossed by his second-in-command (Tse). Lau's character then seeks refuge in the Shaolin Temple and becomes a monk who repents his terrorizing ways of the past.

"Everyone knows the first movie mainly features the Shaolin-style of kung fu, especially given its star, Jet Li, was a five-time national champion at the time. That's a big selling point. But I won't use a martial arts champion as a selling point. Andy Lau is an actor," Chan said. The veteran Hong Kong leading man is widely respected for his talent as much as his heartthrob looks.

"Do I need to turn Andy Lau into Jet Li? I don't see the need. I don't want to," he said, adding that Lau, a devout Buddhist himself, gave suggestions on how to develop his character.

There is kung fu in the movie — Lau is seen practicing a set of Shaolin-style punches with a group of monks — although Chan says his focus was the philosophy behind the fighting.

"I don't think very flashy and very powerful moves are a display of Zen fighting ... As I understand the spirit of Zen fighting is that you have to understand your ability first, how powerfully you can strike a fist. And then how to break through your limitations. And you will become happier as you practice more," the director said, pointing to a scene where Lau's warlord character blissfully practices his moves side-by-side with a young monk on a cold night.

"I tried to portray a state of mind," he said.

The interplay between the warlord and Jackie Chan's character is another highlight. Benny Chan said he purposely paired them — Lau's calculating, Machiavellian military man and Jackie Chan's role of a happy-go-lucky monk who runs the Shaolin kitchen.

Despite the meditative story, "Shaolin" also has the trappings of any major commercial production. A massive explosion scene took a month to shoot and, naturally, couldn't be set at the real temple. Instead, they splurged 20 million Chinese yuan ($3 million) on a full-sized replica that included a 9.9-meter- (32-feet-) tall Buddha statue.

Benny Chan said the final scene was a painstaking process and a huge technical achievement. He did not use special effects and could only complete a few shots a day.

"It was very memorable. It was very taxing and very dangerous," he said.

"Shaolin" is being released in China and the Philippines on Wednesday; in Australia on Thursday; in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia on Friday; and in Vietnam on Feb. 18.

[GeneChing]

Lots in the newsfeeds today on this. I'm cherry-picking a few...

Monk-y business
by Genevieve Loh
05:55 AM Jan 21, 2011

When Andy Lau decided to do Shaolin - director Benny Chan's blockbuster update of the 1982 kung fu classic Shaolin Temple - he "hadn't even seen the script".

Lau took it on readily because he was looking forward to working with the veteran director - 21 years after their first film together, A Moment Of Romance.

The Hong Kong superstar told Today that this time around, they truly bonded.

"The last time, I thought I was very popular and 'hot', so I would ignore him," he quipped during an interview at The Fullerton Hotel yesterday, where he was promoting the highly anticipated film, which also stars Jackie Chan and Nicholas Tse.

"But now, we're actually friends."

This version sees the director relying more on Lau's acting talents than focusing on action-heavy sequences.

"I was very worried about my martial arts skills, but Benny told me, 'Don't worry, I'll make you look good'," laughed Lau.

That is not to say that the devout Buddhist, who will turn 50 years old later this year, doesn't get to show off his kick-ass moves which he spent three months training for.

"More importantly, I'm very happy to be able to spread the Shaolin philosophy, spirit and martial arts through this movie."

Shaolin opens in cinemas today.

21/01/2011
Andy Lau promotes ‘Shaolin’ in Singapore

The Hong Kong actor refused to speak about his wife, but admitted he liked many women

Andy Lau

It had been three years since Hong Kong's Heavenly King Andy Lau arrived on the shores of Singapore to promote his movies.

Together with director Benny Chan, Andy not only attended the media conference for his latest movie Shaolin, but also the Meet-the-Fans session and the Gala Premiere.

In the movie, Andy portrayed an arrogant and violent general, who was betrayed by his sworn brother, played by Hong Kong actor Nicholas Tse. The betrayal not only caused his wife to leave him, but also his daughter's death. Finally, the general repented and sought refuge in Shaolin.

There was a scene where Andy, playing the general, had to shave his head. In reality, the star really did cut his hair away.

When asked the reason behind his "sacrifice", Andy asked, "Is there a body double for shaving heads? I can't help it if I look just as good with a bald head. That's why I'm not afraid [to shave my head]."

Andy Lau and director Benny Chan

The superstar then revealed that director Benny Chan wanted him to put on a wig, so that it was easier for the filming.

However, Andy refused, saying "The bad media would criticise me for not really shaving [my head]. Actually, I'm afraid it would look fake and that'd affect my emotions during filming."

In Shaolin, Andy's character finally comprehended life, attaining a calm state of mind. There were many Buddhism concepts found in the movie and it had been 20 years since the actor converted to Buddhism.

So, has Andy achieved that state in actuality?

"I'm in the same direction; but I don't think I can sacrifice my life for anyone," Andy admitted in an interview with xinmsn.

His character in the movie was also regretful over the things he had done in the past. Did Andy have any regrets in real life?

"Of course, everyone will have them," Andy replied, politely refusing to reveal what his regrets were.

Andy also praised his younger co-star Nicholas. The actor called Nicholas the "Grand Master".

Nicholas Tse and Andy Lau

"He (Nicholas Tse) told me he had the license to teach Wing Chun Fist. (Laughs) He's really good; his actions are fast and agile, [he's] better than me," Andy complimented.

When xinmsn asked if Nicholas had the chance to overtake his position as 'Heavenly King', Andy replied that with the kind of "work attitude and hard work he (Nicholas Tse) possessed, he would overtake me with a little luck and chance."

In the movie, Chinese actress Fan Bing Bing plays the character of his wife. This was Andy's third collaboration with her.

When asked which female celebrity he would like to work with, Andy named Taiwanese actress Sylvia Chang after much thought.

"It's a pity we didn't have a chance to work together," the actor said.

Andy Lau

During the media conference, Andy politely told reporters to not question him about his wife when he was asked.

However, when asked about his unreserved liking for Queen of Cantopop Sammi Cheng, Andy admitted that he still liked her a lot.

"I have liked many women in my lifetime," Andy declared.

The Hong Kong superstar then added that to like someone does not mean he would stray from his relationship.

[GeneChing]

We'll title this SHAOLIN - the 2011 film

Fri, Jan 21, 2011
AsiaOne
Andy wants to romance Angelina Jolie
BY JOY FANG

HOLLYWOOD producers, listen up: Hong Kong veteran star Andy Lau would accept a role in a Tinseltown movie. But only if he felt the role was really meant for him, the 49-year-old said yesterday.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference on his latest movie, Shaolin, Lau said: "I feel I need to have a role that's just for Andy Lau; one which other people would have difficulty pulling off.

"Then I would feel that it was written for me."

Lau, who spoke to reporters at The Fullerton Hotel yesterday, was responding to a question on whether he hankered after a role in the United States.

Lau added that in Hollywood, roles seem to be doled out to Asian actors simply because producers hope to capture the attention of the growing Asian population there.

And he doesn't appreciate the fact that Asian actors are often stereotyped, and are given martial-arts roles.

"I want Hollywood to understand that we are not just people who can fight very well, we can also act," said Lau.

He also objects to the fact that rarely is an Asian actor given a lead role.

"Why can't I have a romance with Angelina Jolie?" he joked.

"We need to continue to make advances in the US, step by step," he added.

While the superstar - who was once a permanent resident in Singapore, and whose parents were reported to live here - is candid about Hollywood, he is fiercely private about his real life.

Especially when it comes to romance.

Lau secretly wed his long-time Malaysian girlfriend, former beauty queen Carol Chu, in Las Vegas in 2008. Asked repeatedly about her, Lau finally said genially: "I don't want to talk about it, it's my own business."

Back to safer topics, then. Like, er, hair.

In Shaolin, Lau plays an arrogant warlord who is betrayed by his sworn brother (played by Nicholas Tse). His character later shaves his head and enters monkhood.

So was it distressing to get rid of his mane?

"Shaving the head was nothing. After all, I look good with a shaved head," Lau said with a laugh.

Expect to see explosive fight scenes between Lau and Tse as they square off in the film's final moments.

Referring to Tse's fighting skills, Lau said: "He can fight fast and he's flexible. I think he is of a higher level than me.

"In fact, he has a licence to teach Wing Chun. At least, that's what he says."

Shaolin opens in cinemas today.

Shaolin captures the spirit of kungfu
China Daily, January 21, 2011

In 1982, Jet Li's The Shaolin Temple not only put a shrine on Chinese kungfu and Zen Buddhism, but also made Li a household name.

Twenty-nine years later, a Hong Kong director is attempting to reprise the glory.

Benny Chan, best known for directing action films such as Jackie Chan's Who am I and New Police Story, brings together Hong Kong and mainland A-listers such as Jackie Chan, Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse and Fan Bingbing to create Shaolin, an action piece set in the chaos of 1920s China.

Lau plays a warlord betrayed by his sidekick, played by Tse. Studying kungfu in Shaolin Temple so he can exact revenge, he meets Jackie Chan, a Zen monk and kungfu master who pretends to be a cook.

From him, Lau's character learns that the essence of kungfu is not about inflicting defeat, but about saving lives. He then joins the other monks to save people from the tribulations of war.

Despite its stellar cast, the film's star is really the temple, Chen says.

"I see Shaolin Temple as an important role in the film," he says. "Historically, monks of the temple have saved many lives during times of chaos."

Hundreds of monks from the temple play supporting roles in the film and some helped train the actors.

To protect the temple, a 1,500-year-old complex on Mount Songshan in Central China's Henan province, the film was shot in a replica created at a cost of 20 million yuan ($2.9 million) in Zhejiang.

Temple abbot Shi Yongxin is the producer of the film, making it the first, among dozens made on the same subject after Jet Li's version, to be supported officially by the temple.

"The film shows that real Shaolin kungfu is closely connected to the spirit of Zen," Shi said at its premiere on Jan 13.

For Lau, a Buddhist, the film is a dream come true. "Since I was a child I dreamed of being in the temple," he says. "But not until acting in this film did I really understand that kungfu is not for show or killing, it is part of your self-cultivation."

Lau also composed the film's theme song and sings it himself.

[PalmStriker]

looking forward to seeing this new movie. Thank's for the head's up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWteiJx8OLY

[GeneChing]

'Tron' rules China box office but Shaolin ready to strike
Saturday, 22 January 2011

Much is expected of the star-studded martial arts epic 'Shaolin,' which started to roll out Wednesday in cinemas across China.

Top of the Chinese box office this week went to the sci-fi thriller Tron: Legacy, but cinemas across the country were gearing up for the release of another Chinese epic that looks set to continue the local industry's dominance over the past month.

Tron picked up 71.5 million yuan (eight million euros) over the week ending January 16, to edge out The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which made 42.1 million yuan (4.7 million euros) for a ten-day total of 84.2 million yuan (9.5 million euros).

Meanwhile, director Jiang Wen's hit western Let the Bullets Fly continued to close in on the all-time record for a Chinese production: its earnings of 35.5 million yuan (four million euros) take the film to a total of 642 million yuan (72 million euros) and within striking distance of Feng Xiaogang's all-time record-holder Aftershock, which took in 673 million yuan (76 million euros) in 2010.

However, much is now expected of the star-studded martial arts epic Shaolin, which started to roll out in cinemas across China on Wednesday. The film stars industry heavyweights Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse, Fan Bingbing and Jackie Chan.

There has also been much fanfare across China as the Green Hornet press tour takes to the country - in the same week that the film has topped the North American box office charts.

The Hollywood actioner is set for a China release on February 6 - right in the middle of the Chinese New Year holiday season, usually reserved for local productions - and its stars, Seth Rogen and Taiwanese heart-throb Jay Chou, have been busy drumming up business.

"We have huge expectations for this film," Li Chow of distributor Columbia told a press conference in Beijing on Monday.

In Asia's other major films markets, it was Oscar favourite The Social Network that dominated in Japan, taking in close to US$2 million (1.5 million euros) on its first week of release, while Let the Bullets Fly took almost US$600,000 (445,000 euros) in its first week of release in Hong Kong. No figure has been released for South Korea.

Watch the Shaolin trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbALkuuCSLU

GREEN HORNET drops on Chinese New Year. Shoot, I missed that little fact in my coverage.

[GeneChing]

Andy Lau's art immitates life in "Shaolin"
By Han Wei Chou | Posted: 25 January 2011 1623 hrs

SINGAPORE: What is it about his latest film "Shaolin" that gave Hong Kong actor Andy Lau pause when he was shooting it?

It obviously wasn't because Lau, who plays the warlord-turned-monk Hou Jie in the film, had to shave his crowning glory for his role.

Director Benny Chan had actually hoped he would just fake it with cosmetics, so scenes did not have to be shot in any particular sequence.

But Lau insisted on shaving it all off because he didn't want to spend hours in the makeup chair every day and wanted the film to look authentic.

"It was nothing, I still look really handsome when I'm bald," Lau joked when he visited Singapore last week to promote the film.

Could it be the intense action sequences which the 49-year-old actor had with martial arts pros like Wu Jing and Yan Neng that made him baulk?

It wasn't those either.

"I was never worried. In my very first fight scene, I already worked with Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao (both acclaimed martial arts directors).

"I have worked with Jet Li and already met all the other top action actors except Donnie Yen," said Lau nonchalantly.

Then just what was it about the film that posed such a big challenge for Lau?

Andy Lau, then and now

The veteran actor says the film's most challenging bit was actually to make people see 'Hou Jie' and not 'Andy Lau', and to make his character, whose values and outlook changes 180 degrees over the course of the film, believable.

"A lot of people can't help but see 'Andy Lau' instead of the character. It was hard for me to show, through my character's actions, that he has undergone profound change.

"To convince people who have not been a monk or undergone tonsure before, to identify with him," said Lau.

"I had to do a lot of research for this role."

He went on to draw parallels between his character in the movie and himself in real life - his outlook on filmmaking had changed 180 degrees since he worked with Benny Chan on the director's first film "A Moment of Romance" two decades ago.

Back then, it was common for top actors like Simon Yam and Lau to take on three or four films simultaneously and there was little time to talk.

"Twenty years ago, I ignored Chan. At the time, the moment I reached the set, I would immediately want to just shoot my scenes, regardless of whatever happened.

"I was arrogant last time. Everyone has to go through that stage. I didn't really care because I just wanted to quickly finish it and move on to the next movie set. I had no time at all to interact with the director," said Lau.

However, his life experiences over the course of his 30-year career in showbiz has changed him.

For example, in "Shaolin", Lau got a lot more involved in the film making process and frequently met with Chan to talk things over, find the right tone for the script as well as understand the characters better.

"This ("Shaolin") is the first film which allowed us to really become friends. Whenever I have any ideas or feelings about the character, I will speak with Chan and he tweaks the script to improve it," he said.

Chan smiled and nodded in agreement.

"[Working with Lau on this film] feels like meeting an old friend and working with a new one all at the same time," said Chan.

"Shaolin" is now showing.

Andy Lau: ‘I only do one thing a day’
Hong Kong's 'Heavenly King' talks Zen, his cautious relationship with Fan Bingbing and warns about the age of the Internet as he promotes his latest film, 'Shaolin Temple'
By Teng Ling 25 January, 2011

Andy Lau -- Shaolin Temple - interviewThe "one thing a day" on Andy Lau's agenda today? Talking to us about "Shaolin Temple."

This year marks 50-year-old Andy Lau’s 30th anniversary in show business.

Aside from his “secret” marriage to Malaysian beauty queen Carol Chu, Lau has not had much fodder to offer gossip mongers. He has never made any inappropriate comments, he's never has stirred up any controversies, and has never even worn the wrong clothes.

In the span of his career, Lau has reportedly acted in over 140 movies, released over 100 albums, held more than 400 concerts and sold more than 50 million records -- achievements that make him worthy of his “heavenly king” title.

Last week, "Shaolin Temple" starring Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse and Fan Bingbing was released on screens across Shanghai. Lau, who plays a young officer in the film, reveals how Fan Bingbing went from being a stranger to his wife in the movie.

CNNGo: The "Shaolin Temple" director had said that the film is about Zen. What does Zen mean to you?

Andy Lau: Zen, to me, means to be able to leave one’s doubts and confusion behind and find a firm foothold on life.

Zen is a form of destiny, such as what the Buddhists refer to as enlightenment. Once you have achieved that state, you no longer hold any grudges, because you realize that many things just cannot be explained.

I’m a hard worker, just as many actors are. Why does everyone only say “Wow, Andy Lau works so hard,” when this is just my destiny? This is my understanding of Zen, I’ve believed in it for more than 20 years.

CNNGo: Since you're perceived as such a hard worker, what is a day in your life like?

Andy Lau: I only do one thing a day and that is to spend at least 10 hours a day at home.

I unplug the moment I get home and sleep around six to eight hours a day.

If I have a concert coming up, I’ll start preparing to go to bed around midnight. I’ll make myself a little snack and then sleep around 1 or 2 a.m. I usually wake up around 11 a.m the next morning.

Most of my days are like this. I don’t sleep very long. I’ll usually wake up after eight hours or so.

CNNGo: You star in movies, hold concerts and release new albums regularly. How do you manage everything?

Andy Lau: The production for "Shaolin Temple" and "What Women Want" wrapped up ages ago. Since then I've spent about four months rehearsing for my concert and a month staging the concerts. Now I’m back to focusing on the promotional events for "Shaolin Temple."

I feel that the girls though -- not just Fan Bing Bing, but Lee Bing Bing as well -- have an even busier schedule than I do, flying around the world to attend fashion shows in the middle of filming.

I tend to make less public appearances at such events.

More on CNNGo: Karen Mok: Single, happy and unashamedly 40. Pity about her cats

My time is spent mostly in mainland China. I won’t take on any movies while I’m preparing for a concert, or release any new albums in the middle of filming.

This year is a little more special with two of my movies being released at the same time. This has seldom occurred in the past 10 years.

I actually planned to take a three-week holiday after the promotional tours for "Shaolin Temple," since with "What Women Want" coming out a fortnight later, I’m afraid all of you will soon be sick of seeing me.

CNNGo: Why are you still working so hard after all these years?

Andy Lau: Just one word -- love.

CNNGo: So what do you do in your free time?

Andy Lau: I don’t have a habit for shopping, I’ve been this way since young. I like staying at home, but I love traveling too.

CNNGo: You’ve collaborated with Fan Bingbing in three movies so far, "Battle of Wits," "Future X-Cops" and now "Shaolin Temple." Could you talk about what it’s like working with her?

Andy Lau: I first got to know her while working on "Battle of Wits." Because I seldom work with mainland actresses, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

For example, when I work with a Hong Kong actress, whether or not I’ve met her before, if she has to play my girlfriend or wife in the film, I’ll treat her as a lover from the very first meeting.

I’ll hold her hand and drag her everywhere I go, I’ll chat with her, buy her meals and treat her very well. But with mainland actresses, I didn’t know what the situation would be like.

I didn’t have much chance to interact with Fan then and felt somewhat like a Mohist. Mohism advocates inaction, even towards love, and I felt like that extended to our off-screen relations as well.

I didn’t have much time to chat with her, and also didn’t dare to. I was afraid she’d find me annoying.

When it came to filming "Future X-Cops," we only had a few days of working together, but I started chatting with her. We had some pretty normal conversations, I asked what was her secret to staying slim and we chatted about everyday life.

This time for "Shaolin Temple," Fan had to play my wife. We also have a child together in the film and the three of us were like family on set.

The love affection we have for each other is one of the highlights of the movie. Even if you're not interested in the action or in Buddhism, watch it for the love story, I think it’s very entertaining.

CNNGo: What movies have you watched recently? Any to recommend?

Andy Lau: I think "The Social Network" is a very powerful film because it exposes the dangers of the Internet. It’s something everyone should know about, because the Internet is so deeply intertwined with our daily lives.

The Internet gradually changes everything about the way we interact and it’s a change that we can’t fight, but you should be clear about your thoughts and morals, just like in Buddhism.

Whether you can achieve it or not is another thing, but you should at least know what they are.

Who's going to post that first review?

[GeneChing]

A strong debut...

'Shaolin' leaves its mark on Chinese box office
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Star-studded 'Shaolin' has been dominating the Chinese box office.

China's passion for bombastic blockbusters continues to be insatiable with the latest epic to roll off the production line, director Benny Chan's star-studded Shaolin, dominating the domestic box office over the past week.

Chan's film - which cost US$29 million (21 million euros) to make and has gathered together the likes of Andy Lau, Jackie Chan, Nicholas Tse and Fan Bingbing - took 105 million yuan (11.6 million euros) in its first week of release in China, to leave its rivals in its wake.

Shaolin sees Lau playing a 1920s warlord who seeks help at the legendary Shaolin Temple after being betrayed by his off-sider (Tse).

Second place in China for the week ending January 23 went to the animated Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf 3 - Moon Castle: The Space Adventure, which collected 54.1 million yuan (six million euros).

Shaolin also topped the charts in Singapore with US$785,000 (448,000 euros), and in Taiwan with NT$6.5 million (163,000 euros), and was set for release in Hong Kong on Thursday.

Reports from film industry press this week have suggested that Jiang Wen's western Let The Bullets Fly had surpassed the 673 million yuan (76 million euros) collected by Aftershock to become China's all-time local box office champ, but there were no official figures released to confirm the fact.

What could be confirmed, however, was that the film was still on top of the box office in Hong Kong, where it has now topped US$1 million (730,000 euros) after two weeks of release, after picking up US$321,148 (234,298 euros) over the past week.

In Japan, meanwhile, the Oscar favorite The Social Network picked up a further US$2 million (1.5 million euros) to be ranked number one - and the film has now collected more than US$6 million (4.4 million euros) in two weeks of release.

And in South Korea it was director Kang Woo-suck's feel-good baseball flick Glove at number one, with takings of just over US$3 million (2.2 million euros).

[GeneChing]

Sat, 29 Jan 2011
TIME OUT :: The Big Picture
Shaolin redux
> Hongkong director Benny Chan and actor Andy Lau believe a good script is essential for an action movie
By Chan Soo Wah

TO BOTH Hongkong director Benny Chan and actor Andy Lau, the essence of drama is important in an action film.

Therefore in their new film, Shaolin, not only can you enjoy the excellent action scenes but the dramatic plot line may also move you to tears.

Chan and Lau were recently in Malaysia to promote their new film which is timed for release near Chinese New Year.

Many would think that Shaolin (also known as The New Shaolin Temple) is a remake of Jet Li’s 1982 The Shaolin Temple, which was set over 1,500 years ago. Shaolin is far from that.

"We consciously set out not to remake the 1982 Jet Li classic. Instead, we set our Shaolin in China during the 1920s – the age of the warlords, and therefore, with a totally different plot line," said Chan.

Shaolin also marks the second time Chan is directing Lau, after the 1990 The Moment of Romance, which was also Chan’s directorial debut.

So how was it working with Lau again after so many years?

"As it has been 20 years since we first worked together, it felt as if we were working together for the first time when we were doing Shaolin.

"While the filming for The Moment of Romance was very hectic and rushed, this time around, we had more time to communicate and held more discussions," said Chan.

Shaolin might be an action-packed film but Chan made sure that he utilised the acting skills of Lau and co-star Nicholas Tse well and that is why this film has a balance of drama and action scenes.

He said: "I’ve to consider what the audience want from an action film, and most of the time they expect to see non-stop fighting from the beginning to the end. I did Invisible Target in 2007 and the audience liked it because it’s action packed.

"But this time around, I want to incorporate the essence of drama and a good plot line because this is what that’s most needed in an action film. People can’t be fighting non-stop for no reason at all!"

On the destruction of the 10 million yuan (RM4.6 million) replica of the Shaolin temple that they had built especially for this film, Chan said he did not feel heartbroken seeing it going up in flames when filming the climatic ending of the film because it is part of the "production value".

He added: "Personally, I feel that the destruction cannot be compared with what happens in normal Hollywood productions.

"What I want to give to the movie is that sense of realism for the audience to experience. Sometimes, if you destroy a small set, the audience might not get the impact and I feel like I’ve cheated (them).

"Besides, when we built it, I already knew it was going to be destroyed, so I didn’t feel sad at all."

This film also sees Lau co-starring with Tse for the first time. Tse’s acting has been getting better with each film, winning the best supporting actor at last year’s Fourth Asian Film Awards for his role in Bodyguards and Assassins.

This time, the actor brilliantly tackled the role of Cao Man, a kung fu practitioner who becomes driven by greed to misuse his skill.

Lau has nothing but praise for Tse. "Prior to working with him, I heard that he is extremely focused in his work and I’ve to agree with that too," said the veteran star. "Tse is very diligent. In fact, he was so assiduous in his acting and especially in the action scenes that I got worried that he might hurt himself!"

Lau has this to say about the misuse of kung fu for personal gain: "Kung fu skills can be likened to handling a gun. The more powerful your skill is, the more you need to control yourself.

"There are people who practise kung fu for health reasons and some to help others, but it would be a wrong if we were to use it to harm others for personal gain. That’s what we want to show the audience in this film."

Lau also picked up a lesson on forgiveness, which his character learns in this film.

"As a human being, we’re driven by vengeance all the time. But we have to learn to let go of the past and our mistakes, and move away from a life that’s filled with hatred. Most of all, we need to learn how to forgive others."

That’s why, Lau adds, his favourite line in the film is "to live life freely" unencumbered by the baggage of history.

Shaolin is currently showing in cinemas nationwide.

Still waiting for some forum member reviews...

[Lucas]

i checked fandango but dont see it playing in any local theaters

i really want to see this.

[GeneChing]

It's only playing in Asia at this time.

Ip Man 2 just opened theatrically in America - only 7 months after it's Asia premiere...

[Qixing Tanglang]

Just looking at title cover of the New Shaolin Temple movie that just came out in China with Liu De Hua (Andy Lou) and Xie Ting Feng (Nicholas Shae). Looks like Yu Hai is also in movie.

[GeneChing]

A fine overview by Dean Napolitano. Mr. and Mrs. Incredible is covered here. We haven't gone into Donnie Yen in All's Well yet...that's a funny franchise - given this review, I might have to check that out.

I'm moving this thread up to the Shaolin forum for a spell.

* January 27, 2011, 4:43 PM HKT
A Lunar New Year Laugh-in
By Dean Napolitano

With the Year of the Rabbit just days away, the Hong Kong movie industry is making final preparations for an annual tradition — the Chinese New Year comedy.

These popular films — a unique Hong Kong genre for the new-year holiday — have a simple formula: an all-star cast, madcap antics, music and a happy ending.

The dialogue and gags usually play on knowledge of Hong Kong culture and current events, and the stars often poke fun at their public personas. For instance, in “All’s Well Ends Well 2011” — the latest in a long holiday series — martial-arts star Donnie Yen sends up his hero image by playing a makeup artist who operates at the same lightning speed as a kung-fu master.

The jokes are often crass but never mean-spirited, and the movies aim to be suitable for grandparents and children alike.

“We must make a family picture,” says Raymond Wong, a veteran of more than 30 years in the Hong Kong movie scene and the producer of the “All’s Well Ends Well” series.

Fiona Law, who teaches a class on Hong Kong cinema at the University of Hong Kong and has done extensive research on the phenomenon of the Chinese New Year movie, says the first known example was “Bloom and Prosper,” a 1937 comedy from mainland director Tang Xiaodan. No copy is believed to survive, but Dr. Law says it involves a familiar theme for the genre: winning the lottery and easy fortune.

Over the decades, she says, the New Year practice of going to the movies “was a very important family event,” and in keeping with the family-oriented holiday. Today, the ritual brings “a sense of belonging. They are a cultural memory.”

Indeed, Mr. Wong recalls from his 1960s childhood that his parents went to the cinema only once a year — during the Lunar New Year — and the movie had to have two elements: well-known stars and lots of laughs.

Another prime example of this genre is 1993’s “The Eagle Shooting Heroes,” from director Jeffrey Lau and producer Wong Kar-wai. A wild parody of 1960s martial-arts movies, it features an A-list cast hamming things up big-time: Jacky Cheung, Leslie Cheung, Maggie Cheung, Carina Lau, Brigitte Lin and the two Tony Leungs — Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Tony Leung Ka-fai.

The spoofs of martial-arts movies “are nostalgic elements,” says Dr. Law, and in Hong Kong, the audience gets the jokes.

This year audiences will find three comedies at the cineplex: “Mr. & Mrs. Incredible,” starring Sandra Ng and Louis Koo, a family-comedy that strays from the genre a little in that it doesn’t mention the new-year holiday; “I Love Hong Kong” with Eric Tsang, Aarif Lee, Sandra Ng (yes, she’s in two), and a pack of other familiar faces; and, of course, “All’s Well Ends Well 2011,” the sixth entry in the series that began nearly 20 years ago.

Many studios typically have rolled out their big movies of the year during the Lunar New Year, but recent shifts in the movie-going public — particularly the growing importance of the mainland China market — mean that other holiday periods, such as the Oct. 1 National Day holiday, are now just as important.

Not all movies released during the Lunar New Year are comedies. Starting in the 1990s, Jackie Chan often took advantage of the season’s large audiences to release his action films, even though the plots had little to do with the holiday. This New Year will bring the release of the martial-arts action-drama “Shaolin,” which stars Mr. Chan, Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse and Fan Bing Bing; Benny Chan directed.

In recent years, as other forms of entertainment such as video games and iPods have become more popular, Chinese New Year movies haven’t had the same social impact. And Hong Kong movies now have to consider audiences in mainland China, where they also are widely distributed, and the jokes have to be tailored differently.

But the plots of Chinese New Year movies today still center around family and romance. And above all, says Mr. Wong, the script must include the traditional Chinese New Year greeting: “Kung hei fat choi.”

[SPJ]

just bought the dvd and watched it

it is ok.

the one who tied the knots will have to untie them.

JC was the shaolin chef and cooked big meals with a shovel in a giant wok.

Andy Lau was the warlord overthrew by his protege-

---

the temple was destroyed by foreign artillery--

the temple lives in people's heart--

---

may not be good for kids

but over all it is good.

all familiar characters, the chief abbot, the big brother and second brother

----

[SPJ]

the theme carries anti war message

just like the "big soldier and small general" last year from JC.

[bawang]

the new shaolin movie feels very soap opera ish like lots of modern chinese movies. it also pains me to see xingwu