Shaolin Soccer : coming August 15th - Page 2

Travis_W · 07-11-2003, 02:36 PM

Is there any chance that Disney didn't cut it? Even if it is dubbed at the theaters they MAY release a original language title track on the DVD. I'd order the Region 0 DVD but I really try to pass on importing when I can.

Todd Terwilliger · 07-11-2003, 02:51 PM

Travis,

I would say no chance because I've read reports from people at screenings that confirmed there were cuts. I wouldn't hesitate to order the R0 disc.

Matthew Brown · 07-11-2003, 03:36 PM

Travis -
Todd is correct on this. Unless things have changed recently, the movie had been cut. I am not even sure if they kept the original theme. I spoke to somebody who saw it and he confirmed it. This person I can't name but I can say he wrote a couple of books on HK films. You never know who you'll meet at Asian film conventions!

At least it seems that they aren't using Kung Fu Soccer anymore.

Originally Stephan Chow was supposed to do his own voice but I heard they scrapped that.

Matt

Matthew Brown · 07-17-2003, 08:15 AM

Well, I was correct about one thing. Miramax severely altered the plot of the movie. They removed the first locker room scene, just like I said.
http://www.kungfucinema.com/articles/2003-07-16-01.htm

This removes the ENTIRE subplot of the coach's redemption for taking money to throw a game.

Matt

Todd Terwilliger · 07-17-2003, 11:35 AM

Matthew,

Thanks for the link. The author makes a few good points. I'm still not in favor of the changes when they are plainly unnecessary. I wonder if Miramax ever screened the original before they made their editing decisions. I know that everyone I've shown the uncut version to has loved it.

Jeff Kleist · 07-17-2003, 12:55 PM

Of course they did, but Miramax's policy seem to be WE HAVE TO CUT SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!

Harvey Weinstein claims "It's to make the films work!" Well, he just made SS UN-work

This guy is the one who needs to get a life. Miramax cuts, dubs and destroys the integrity of these films. Sure they're not Shakespeare, but the HK film community is beginning to strike back, because the creators are sick of it. Kinji Fukusatsu reportedly included clauses in his Battle Royale 2 contract that the films are not to be sold to any distributor that will cut one frame

Matthew Brown · 07-17-2003, 01:25 PM

Todd -
They screen these films. I attended the one for Shaolin Soccer that was held in Secaucus NJ. The opening scene was cut from that one, too.
They showed it in it's original language and at least one scene was replaced with one of the alternate ones that are included on the Universe DVD.

The people running the screening don't want to hear that it shouldn't be altered. When they ask how you feel about subtitles they say, "You didn't like the subtitles, did you?" They ask you if the movie was slow in the beginning, middle, or end. You comment on the music. They ask what movies you've seen recently and you pick from a list which usually includes Romeo Must Die and Rush Hour.

They hated me. When the movie ended I said out loud, "Now we'll go home and watch it the way the director intended". They pick a focus group to stay behind after the movie and they get real pissy if you are by the theater door and they think you are trying to listen in. The groups they pick are "wannabe movie makers". Ones who love to give their opinion of how the film should be. Of course you also have to be between 18 and 28 as well as be a part of their target audience.

My biggest complaint is that they called this movie a "work in progress". They never explained that it was already finished. They did the same with Iron Monkey. They already replaced the music for Iron Monkey when they test screened it.

I only knew about these screenings because a friend goes to the movies a lot and Secaucus must have frequent test screeings because there is always somebody there with flyers asking if you want to see a free movie.

Matt

Jason Harbaugh · 07-17-2003, 01:30 PM

Is this worth a blind purchase from DDDhouse? I thought the trailers were great and it does look like a film that I would probably enjoy. I was looking forward to seeing it in the cinemas but if it is all cut up and dubbed I guess I won't.

Jeff Kleist · 07-17-2003, 02:59 PM

Yes, it's gloriously silly, and you'll pay less than you'll pay for Miramax's butchery 6 months down the line.

Why not pick up God of Cookery while you're at it for a nice Chow double feature?

BrianB · 07-17-2003, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Is this worth a blind purchase from DDDhouse? I thought the trailers were great and it does look like a film that I would probably enjoy.

yes given you liked the trailers. It's not expensive to import it and you'll get it in a nice brown paper hand-wrapped package from the guys at DDDHouse

Great film.

Jason Harbaugh · 07-17-2003, 04:23 PM

Thanks guys. Just ordered my very first import.

My friends will be shocked. They also really wanted to see this and now I can have them over to see it uncut and before the theatrical release here. Double bonus.