Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- intense
- solemn
- melodramatic
- martial arts movie night
- historical action marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film an energetic and emotionally earnest kung fu drama whose action spectacle and star power outweigh its conventional storytelling.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Hao Jie loses his family and takes refuge among Shaolin monks, where arrogance gradually gives way to humility and responsibility.
The Shaolin temple becomes a refuge for civilians and a base for resistance as rival warlords devastate the surrounding population.
The film emphasizes kung fu, tai chi, duels, parkour-like movement, and ensemble battle choreography.
The monks are compelled to take action against oppressive warlords while preserving their spiritual commitments and protecting civilians.
Films like Shaolin, and why
The Grandmaster
shared kung fu choreography, monastic setting, spiritual redemption, and historical Chinese action drama
Shaolin Soccer
shared Shaolin tradition, martial arts spectacle, charismatic rivalries, and themes of honor and power
Red Cliff
shared period Chinese warfare, stylized combat, political violence, and tragic moral conflict
Ip Man
shared martial arts action, corrupt power structures, and a protagonist seeking redemption through discipline
Movie Details
- Director
- Benny Chan
- Release Date
- 2011-01-20
- Runtime
- 131 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (425)
Cast
- Andy Lau
- Nicholas Tse Ting-Fung
- Fan Bingbing
- Jackie Chan
- Wu Jing
- Yu Shaoqun
- Xing Yu
- Yu Hai
- Xiong Xinxin
- Michelle Bai
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Hi-YAH, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Hi-YAH Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Shaolin about?
- A proud warlord finds refuge among Shaolin monks and must exchange battlefield ambition for spiritual courage when civil conflict reaches the temple.
- What is Shaolin like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Shaolin as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Shaolin violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Shaolin as brutal.
- What did critics think of Shaolin?
- Critics broadly found the film an energetic and emotionally earnest kung fu drama whose action spectacle and star power outweigh its conventional storytelling.
- Which films are like Shaolin?
- Films with a similar feel include The Grandmaster, Shaolin Soccer, Red Cliff, and Ip Man.
- How long is Shaolin?
- Shaolin runs 131 minutes.
- Where can I watch Shaolin?
- In United States, Shaolin streams on Amazon Prime Video, Hi-YAH, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Hi-YAH Amazon Channel.
