The funniest man in Hong Kong. Both as an actor, as well as a director, Chow left his mark on Hong Kong comedy cinema. His sense of humor is somewhat of an acquired taste, but Chow proved his work has plenty of international appeal.
The good stuff
It's a good thing Shoalin Soccer is this much fun, because beyond its successful comedy aspect it's clear the film is somewhat lacking.
Fun and entertaining Stephen Chow film that delivers a perfect blend of Chow's trademark comedy with some martial arts ass kicking. An army of familiar faces, some hilarious action scenes and of course Chow himself add up to a film that is hard not to love. One of Chow's clear highlights, which makes this a must-see for fans of comedy.
A film that could charm you as easily as it could disappoint you. Chow is enough of a director to pull it off, but those wanting another typical Chow comedy will be left with empty hands.
Solid pieces
The inoffensive
Chow and Yau return with a Mainland remake of Chow's own King of Comedy. The original isn't my favorite Chow and this remake doesn't improve on it. There are a few chuckles and it's clear Chow grew as a director, but in the process the silliness that set his work apart seems to have gone lost. Not bad, not great either.
1:99 Shorts
Commissioned anthology that was made to lift the spirit of Hong Kong during the SARS epidemic. The who's who of Hong Kong cinema participated, but the result is a little uneven. Not too surprising considering the exterior motives behind this anthology, and there are a couple of worthwhile entries, but overall it's probably best to lower your expectations when watching this.
Plain forgettable
