Kung Fu Soccer (2026) Review: Is Kung Fu Soccer Worth Watching If You Loved Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle?
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| source: tv.lk21 |
Kung Fu
Soccer (2026) is a sports action comedy film directed by the legendary Chinese
comedy star, Stephen Chow. The film's original title is 功夫女足 (Gōngfū
Nǚzú) / Kung Fu Women's Football. The film was released on July 11, 2026, with
a runtime of 106 minutes. With a budget of CN¥380 Million, it is the most
expensive film throughout Stephen Chow's career. Filming began in 2025 in
Shenzhen and lasted for 3 months. This is Stephen Chow's first film as a
director again after 7 years (since 2019). He does not appear on screen at all.
The film
opens directly with the introduction of Team Emei — a grassroots women's
football team, not a professional team. Their captain and impromptu coach is
Shuang, a tough veteran who is the backbone of the team. The story focuses on 2
childhood friends: Shuang and Yu Long (Jade), who grew up training football
together. Shuang and Yu Long used to be super close friends. But their
friendship cracked because Yu Long once left the team to get married, and her
marriage failed. Yu Long comes back to Emei with a sense of guilt. Xu Feng, who
is Shuang senior and mentor, comes assigned by the Grandmaster to help the team
by concocting techniques and strategies. Emei, who was initially a total
underdog, actually annihilates Team Golden Dragon and becomes the dark horse of
the tournament. However, their momentum is halted when facing Team Pear Blossom
who play cunningly — not a physical duel, but a psychological one: visual
distractions, feigning pain, tricks to deceive the referee and Emei players.
Emei loses badly. That defeat becomes a turning point. Shuang realizes her
mistake, she was too ambitious to win that she pressured her friends, instead
of letting them play with their own strengths. From there, they retrain,
rebuild trust, and prepare to head to the final by fighting other strong teams.
The film
received positive reviews from critics. This film is not just slapstick jokes,
if Shaolin Soccer (2001) was full of laughs, this one is more about a relatable
female underdog team drama. The great chemistry from the characters Shuang - Yu
Long is strong. The conflict of "a friend who left the team to get married
and then came back" is very emotional, different from boys' football
films.
However,
the film also received negative criticism, where Team Pear Blossom only plays
psychologically, not a crazy kung fu duel, so the match is less explosive
compared to Team Shaolin vs Team Evil in Shaolin Soccer. The character Xu Feng
is made somewhat ambiguous. His relationship with Shuang is left hanging, so
those waiting for a clear romance will be left hanging.
This film stars: Zhang Xiaofei, Dilraba Dilmurat, Lay Zhang, Zhao Lina and more.
In my opinion:
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He's back!
Finally, the film awaited by many lovers of Chinese comedy, especially when we
mention the name Stephen Chow. Yes, Kung Fu Soccer has arrived this year. It can
be said that this is a sequel to Shaolin Soccer in 2001, but some also say this
is something new because it tells the story of a women's football team. 25
years after the phenomenal film Shaolin Soccer (which is claimed to be one of
the highest-grossing films of all time in China), Stephen Chow returns but as a
director.
A little
different from Shaolin Soccer, Team Emei actually is a team with a dangerous
duo striker, Shuang with a hard straight kick like a bullet and Yu Long with a
curving kick like a snake. However, this team is in disarray because of ego,
anger and of course stronger opponents. So the simple pattern is: Hero to Zero
and back to Hero.
Of course,
it's very interesting, right? But there are a few shortcomings in my opinion.
First of all, I will disclaim that in my opinion Kung Fu Soccer has not yet been
able to surpass the greatness of Shaolin Soccer. In terms of comedy, this film
is funny but not as hilarious as Shaolin Soccer. Even from the beginning to the
middle, the pace is too fast, it feels rushed. So I feel like I haven't had
enough time to enjoy the first joke, then suddenly the second and third jokes
appear. Maybe this is the hallmark of modern Chinese comedy, because as far as
I remember, old Chinese humor films were not like that. Correct me if I'm
wrong.
AND THEN,
if from the beginning to the middle of the film I witnessed fast-paced drama
and cheap humor, in the middle to the end, the aura of Shaolin Soccer began to
be felt. After Team Emei fell apart, they have to rise again to reach the final
and challenge the 7-time defending champion, The Grand River. But before that,
they have to fight the powerhouse team, The Coral, and the tricky team, The
Pear Blossom again. Unexpectedly, it turns out that Team Emei has great players
on their bench. From players who can levitate, move like the wind, thunder
kicks, bat sensors to hard defense like a huge temple bell. Can you imagine how
exciting it is?
I always
praise Stephen Chow's imagination which is as free as cartoons and comics. You
can see his films like Shaolin Soccer, CJ7, Kung Fu Hustle and The New King of Comedy. All are hilarious and exciting. In addition, the visuals, audio and
cinematography are also considered good. Even though the storyline is
predictable, Kung Fu Soccer really cures the longing for the silliness of
Chinese comedy films in the style of Stephen Chow. Stay healthy Mr. Chow, give
us more entertainment like this as far as you are able.
For me this one is 8/10.
Knowledge Center:
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| Stephen Chow — the King of Comedy — returns with his most expensive film ever: KUNG FU SOCCER (功夫女足). |
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Stephen
Chow. Who is he? Stephen Chow Sing-chi (周星馳) was born
on June 22, 1962 in Hong Kong. His given name "Sing-chi" is derived
from a poem from the Tang Dynasty by Wang Bo. From a poor kid who was a big fan
of Bruce Lee (at 9 years old he watched The Big Boss and wanted to be a kung fu
hero), to becoming the most expensive director in China in Kung Fu Soccer 2026.
Let us in this KC column, briefly discuss the King of Comedy.
Stephen
Chow Sing-chi's career journey:
- 1982-1988 - The TVB Era. Started as an extra, then became the host of the children's show 430 Space Shuttle with Tony Leung.
- 1989-1999 - The King of Hong Kong Box Office. Exploded through The Final Combat and Allfor the Winner (1990) & Fight Back to School (1991) which broke Hong Kong box office records for 2 consecutive years. His style is called Mo Lei Tau, which is nonsense comedy that is absurd but genius.
- 1994 - Started Directing. Directorial debut From Beijing with Love (1994), a James Bond parody.
- 2001-2004 - Go International. This is the year Shaolin Soccer (2001) was born, grossing $50 Million worldwide and winning Best Director at the Hong Kong Film Awards. Followed by Kung Fu Hustle (2004) which grossed $106 Million and was praised until the Brooklyn Academy of Music called him the "King of Comedy".
- 2008-2026 - Behind the Scenes. His last acting was in CJ7 (2008). After that, he focused on being a director/producer for Journey to the West (2013) and The Mermaid (2016) which became one of the best-selling films in China. And a comeback after a 7-year hiatus through Kung Fu Soccer (2026) with a budget of CN¥380 Million, the most expensive in his career.
- Fun fact about the King of Comedy. His wealth is estimated at HK$2.6 Billion (US$330 Million) but his life is very simple, wearing a t-shirt, riding a bicycle, eating at small stalls, even once wearing the same jacket for 3 years! You must immediately imagine the figure of Keanu Reeves, right? Stephen Chow has never married. He was once close to Athena Chu and Karen Mok, but the trauma of his parents' divorce made him reluctant to get married.
Stephen
Chow is a legend, a childhood hero, and someone who has inspired many other
filmmakers and actors, especially in the comedy genre.
Long live Stephen Chow! Long live the King of Comedy!
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