Hey folks, Harry here... While I was in China, I had the opportunity to speak at length with "THE MIRAMAX LADY" that is in charge of SHAOLIN SOCCER right now, and she is weary of the many varied attacks on Miramax in regards to its releasing of SHAOLIN SOCCER, and the other Hong Kong and Asian titles. I did my best to explain Asian Movie Buffs' opinions as best I could. Asking for limited releases of the Original prints in Subtitle form, so that the audience could choose which version they wanted to see... Miramax is worried about confusing the audience though... and given some folks that see movies, I can understand. HOWEVER - Disney is doing this in some theaters with SPIRITED AWAY and if you fans demonstrate your intelligence and dollar power by supporting the format you prefer, then perhaps they'll listen. Miramax, has been listening to us. Remember, they did release both versions of MONONOKE HIME on dvd, when they weren't originally. On this edit of SHAOLIN SOCCER, they've dropped their ideas about adding Hip Hop and Rap music to the score. And they've cut back their cutting back of the film.
Right now, I understand fans aggravations that they didn't get this film ready for release during the World Cup, because I know it could have had a tremendous chance to beat any and all records for Asian Films being played in U.S. theaters in terms of box office... and now, I think that opportunity may have passed them by. HOWEVER, they are going to be doing some cool things between now and the release of this film. Miramax will be doing Stephen Chow Retrospects in Multiple Cities around the United States in Advance of the release of SHAOLIN SOCCER. This is to help introduce Stephen Chow, not only to these audiences, but to the critics, who shockingly have no clue who he is. Sad... I know.
I pushed very hard for Miramax to release in their DVD releases - both the original Hong Kong cut - subtitled as well as the U.S. version - both mastered as best as they can be mastered and transferred. I'd also like to push for an Audio Commentary subtitled in English so we can hear Stephen Chow talking about the making of his film in his native tongue, but have the subtitles to understand him. Just throwing that out there. Just thought of it.
"The Miramax Lady" wanted to try and get it across to me and to all of you that at least Miramax is trying to bring these films to the United States on the big screen. And I admit, I'm greatful that they are attempting. At the same time though, I wanted her to understand that we fans of Asian Cinema expect more from Miramax. Releasing SHAOLIN SOCCER in a similar fashion to the way they treated LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL - where they release the original language - subtitled film... Then months and months later, releasing a dub print that will appeal to the functionally illiterate segment of society that can't read and watch a film at the same time.
I also talked to her about HERO - and the reason it is going to be a while, is that the film isn't finished yet. I met lots of folks that worked on HERO while in CHINA and they can't wait for all of us to see it. Word has it that Jet Li and Donnie Yen's rematch (Not since ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA 2) is great - though not quite as classic as that famous battle.
Lastly there is a trend at Miramax that disturbs me far more than even re-editting and dubbing movies they acquire from overseas. It is the buying of films, that they have no intention of releasing, for the sole purpose of remaking, then keeping these films from being seen on screens in the United States. They are not the only studio doing this. DREAMWORKS with the RING films, LIONS GATE with TAXI 1 & 2 and of course MIRAMAX with a number of films. Complete Economic and Intellectual Censorship is in the UNCOOL category. This is something that must cease immediately. Remake it if you must, but at least let us see the original in one format or the other!
Now, here's a very positive review that came from DragonCon of the U.S. print of SHAOLIN SOCCER... Enjoy...
Greetings, all! TheBlairZip here, reporting from Atlanta, GA, where we just ended another fantastic Dragon*Con. Now, I have to admit that this was my first time attending the convention, but it will definitely not be my last! Meeting Mike Nelson and Kevin Murphy of MST3K fame was super cool, as well as Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, David Naughton, Linda Blair -- and even Traci Lords. TRACI FUCKIN' LORDS!!!!
But I digress - I'm not here to drop names - like others on this website -
I'm here to talk about Shaolin Soccer. Miramax sponsored a screening of their version of the movie on Saturday night (only the second screening in the country of this version, so far), for which everyone found themselves in high anticipation. I mean, we've all heard the rumors - most of which have come from this site alone: Hip hop soundtrack, bad dubbing, cut to hell, etc. Well, on behalf of everyone in attendance that night, I would just like to say that all of your worries can be put to rest.
NO HIP HOP! NO HORRIBLE DUBBING! NO HORRENDOUS BUTCHERING OF THE FILM!
Right off the bat, it's obvious that a new credit sequence has been added, but it's short and to the point. It's also noticeable that a few of the scenes have had a little cosmetic surgery- "nipped and tucked" if you will - so as to clean up the areas that were a little rough around the edges. Now, I'm sure most people reading this are already screaming bloody murder, but I assure you it really does help make the transitions smoother and keeps the movie going at a lightening fast speed. For example, the scene where the crippled Golden Leg finds the beer can embedded into the brick wall: in the original, there's a little flash back to remind us where the can came from - in this version, there is no flashback. It was unnecessary! It's little superfluous moments like that which have been either cut or altered in order to help speed the story along. Plus, they have even added back in two scenes that were cut from the original - the most memorable one being a dance sequence that occurs at the sweetbread shop after the first meeting of Sing and Mui! The rest of the movie has been untouched - completely untouched.
The dubbing is actually well done. The voices are authentic, not annoying, and are performed with the perfect amount of emotion and comic timing. The English translation is a considered improvement over the subtitles from the international DVD release and really helps to clarify some of the dialogue that was not translated well previously.
Best of all, pretty much all of the original music is still in the movie!!! In fact, there were only two times (that I noticed) where there was any change in music. There is a bit of techno thrown in to some of the soccer matches, and the inevitable "Kung Fu Fighting" at the very, very end of the film - but that was it! I even went back and watched the DVD just to make sure. I also talked to some of the dealers who were selling the DVD at the Con and had attended the screening, and they were pleased with the results, as well.
So, in sumation, ALL IS WELL! There is nothing to fear about the U.S. release. Miramax has not bastardized the film we all know and love. In fact, the film received a standing ovation, and many of the people who had not seen it at all agreed that it will be a huge hit when it gets released. Not a single person had anything negative to say about it! I talked to the Miramax representative in charge of the screening, who was just as nice as she could be (and a cutie, to boot), and she said that there are no plans to release the film anytime before April of next year. APRIL OF NEXT YEAR?!?! Now, I realize that Jackie Chan has a couple of films slated for release soon, but do they really think that his films would interfere with Shaolin Soccer? Hell no!!! Shaolin Soccer will be remembered LONG AFTER "The Tuxedo" has come and gone and definitely after "Shanghai Knights" has crashed and burned. (Sorry, but I don't have high hopes for that one).
So, listen up, Miramax! You obviously listened when the fans cried out against the butchering of the film, and now is the time to listen again! The fans demand that you release it IMMEDIATELY!!! The film was the talk of the convention, and if my predictions are correct, this film is going to be a nice little cash cow for the company. DO IT, HARVEY! RELEASE THIS FILM NOW!!!
Sincerely,
The Blair Zip
