Kids from Shaolin (1984)

Two families, one trained in Wu Tang swordsmanship is made up of all girls and the other trained in Shaolin techniques are all boys. They’re playful rivalry turns sour when a band of criminals infiltrate the Wu Tang household in order to get revenge on the Shaolin family.

What happens when you mix a musical with kung fu, a gaggle of talented children and Jet Li amid surroundings that appear unnaturally picturesque? Well, it’s no Chinese Sound of Music, but it is a unique and surprisingly entertaining film.

After the whopping success of Shaolin Temple (1982), Jet Li was surely destined for stardom. But before forging a career in Hong Kong, he headlined this light-hearted adventure about rival schools. Li plays the eldest among a group of eight boys who have all been raised and trained in Shaolin kung fu by Er Long and his brother. It’s learned that the two had saved the boys from bandits who attacked their village and killed their parents. All is well now except for the family across the river, made up of Ah Pao, the stubborn husband, his wife and their ten or so daughters. Er Long wishes to marry the eldest daughter, his brother wants the second daughter and lastly, Li sets his sights on the third and most fiesty of the young women. Unfortunately, Ah Pao has a low regard for Shaolin kung fu which keeps Er Lung from courting. Also, the Shaolin men are poor and Ah Pao expects payment in cattle for his second daughter’s hand. And the third daughter shares her father’s stubborn streak and initially looks down upon Li. A lot of silliness ensues as the children interact and constantly get into trouble.

When the bandits learn of Er Long’s whereabouts, they begin a plot to use the two groups’ rivalry against one another in order to get revenge on Er Long and have their way with the Wu Tang women. Their plans begin to succeed when Er Long’s brother is caught running away with Ah Pao’s second daughter, while Li and the third daughter are wrongly accused of sexual indiscretion. When it seems that Er Long and his boys are leaving the valley for good, the bandits besiege Ah Pao’s house and its up to Li and his brothers to save the day.

Initially, this film could easily befuddle the unwary viewer. Kids from Shaolin begins with a Disney-like animation and jumps into what appears to be a musical of sorts. Jet Li even lip-syncs to a tune early on as children from both sides of the river play. Despite the silly nature of the opening scenes, they still pull you in thanks to the absolutely gorgeous outdoor locations and the energetic and skilled physical performances of the younger children. The film follows this harmless plot where Li and Yue Sing Wai, playing Ah Pao’s third daughter lead in a friendly rivalry. Even as the bandits infiltrate Ah Pao’s household and begin to sow seeds of dissention, they’re portrayed as fools. Then, in an odd turn of events, Ah Pao’s rigidness becomes unsettling when he agrees to have his own daughter drowned for supposedly messing around with Li. Yet, this incredulous bit passes and all is well in the end.

Jet Li gets to show off his stuff here, especially at the end but since there are so many characters to follow in the film, his role is not as large as one might hope or expect. Many of the children used in the film are actually quite impressive to watch as they perform their martial arts. Yue Sing Wai, is great in the first half of the film as the icy third daughter who thaws after getting to know Li. Yue Hoi returns from Shaolin Temple as Li’s mentor in virtually the same role as the tough master who’s really an old softy. Virtually all of the performances are quite memorable, spicing up a rather simple story.

While some viewers may be put off by the musical number (there is really only one) and all around silliness, Kids from Shaolin does have a lot to offer. Like a much tamer version of Fong Sai Yuk (1993), Li shows his lighter side and seems quite as ease in the role. Just enough quality fights scattered throughout manage to punctuate a rollicking tale of misunderstandings. This may not be one of Li’s better showcase films, but provides a bit welcome creativity within the genre.