Jet Li's Shaolin Temple

[aliu321]

I wanted to check out Jet Li's earlier film. I haven't seen the Shaolin Temple films, that is I, II, and III.

Which one is the best overall film (story, acting, fights)?

Just to give you an idea of my taste, my favorite samurai film is Masaki Kobayashi's Seppuku. But I enjoy Shaw Brother's stuff like One-armed Swordsman as well.

Thanks!!!

[Chen Zhen]

i havent seen shaolin temple 2, but between 1 and 3, my vote goes definetely to 3.

why? cuz of Lau Kar Leung's sharp direction and fight choreography. story is pretty cliche, but i love the scenery.

[Markgway]

Best to least in descending order.

[aliu321]

III it is!

Thanks so much.

[HAZ74]

My local bootleg joint has all 3 on one dvd. These were some of the first kung fu movies I'd seen. 3 is a well made movie, but I really dug the first 2. 2 had this crazy cartoon at the begining (if I remember right) There was also a really cute girl in 2. My vote will go 1-2-3.

[Beat TG]

I would say the third movie. There's a variety of styles throughout the movie.

[GwaiLoMoFo]

All are worth a watch. I liked part 1 the best, then 3 and 2. All have great fight scenes. Part 2 is a FF to action scenes kinda film. The non-fighting moments of pt.2 are painfull to watch. I liked pt.1 a little bit more than 3 because it just seemed like Jet's absolute best physical performance. 3 is still a must own as well.

[The Amazing Psychoper]

I would definately skip part 2.
Great finale but the rest really sucks.

[Markgway]

I thought Pt.2 had a lot of charm and humour, but if you're only interested in hardcore fighting... it's bound to disappoint.

[jirpy100]

Definitely # 1, then 2, then 3.

[chen lung]

God knows why people linked them as sequels as they aren't related:\ !

I liked 3 the best.

[Markgway]

They're thematically and stylistically similar, but have no story or character connection. The third one was made by a different director, production company.

[Yi Long]

I always felt PT2 was seriously CRAP, and never really liked it much besides the fightscenes.

UNTILL... I watched the movie in it's original language, instead of the shitty dub. That made me like it ALOT more.

I like pt. 1 alot. I've also seen pt. 3, felt the action was very good, but have only seen it once, so not sure if it's better then pt.1 yet.

[Markgway]

Ow yeah, you should definately watch them in their original language for best effect. That's a given.

[kungfusamurai]

If you're looking for the film with the most action, the third is the best. I liked number 2 because of the overall story, which builds up to a great finale. I've seen the first film a couple of times, and have had trouble warming up to it for some reason. I don't think it's bad or anything, just not my film of choice if I had to pick one out of the three to watch first.

KFS

[JeePrahm]

I thought #2 was delightful and charming and a nice break from vengence stories and monks in training montages, which I like very much! I can't decide what I like more #1 or #3... But I think #2 is in a different... genre almost.

Speaking of #2, excuse me for coopting this thread... but are there any other similarly charming films as Kids of Shaolin? Musical numbers are a bonus, somewhat fantasy can be good, humor of course is necessary, I like movies that take place many years ago generally.. I need some flicks that I can watch with young kids or girlfriend... ya know?

Funny this is my first post here, heh. I mostly like hardcore nonstop kung fu action! I swear!
-JP

[Chen Zhen]

well if ur looking for other movies with lots of kids, u can try Little Drunken Masters...but be warned theres VERY little action in it, and i found it really boring overall.

[Tosh]

Speaking of #2, excuse me for coopting this thread... but are there any other similarly charming films as Kids of Shaolin? Musical numbers are a bonus, somewhat fantasy can be good, humor of course is necessary, I like movies that take place many years ago generally.. I need some flicks that I can watch with young kids or girlfriend... ya know?

You'll have to go back to some of the Shaw films in the 60's, "Come Drink with Me" comes to mind right off the bat, there's a very cool musical scene with Yueh Hua and a bunch of orphans, the violence is toned for the kids, and there's usually beatiful cinematography and love stories for your girl.