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| Kung Fu Soccer Early Reviews Say Stephen Chow Finally Brings Back the Shaolin Soccer Magic. (Photo: Weibo) |
Stephen Chow appears to have found himself back on familiar ground. Early screenings of Kung Fu Soccer (功夫女足) have generated an enthusiastic response across China, with audiences praising its mix of heartfelt sports drama, outrageous comedy and martial arts spectacle. Before the film even reaches cinemas on 11 July, the conversation has already exploded online, as viewers argue that this may be the closest the filmmaker has come to recapturing the energy that made Shaolin Soccer such a beloved classic. For once, nostalgia is not doing all the heavy lifting—at least according to those who have already seen it.
The discussion accelerated after the hashtag #功夫女足的观后感# climbed into Weibo's top trending topics on Wednesday, 8 July. Advance screenings organised by Maoyan gave selected audiences an early look at the film, and the first wave of reactions has been largely positive.
Viewers have praised the balance between comedy and emotion while also pointing out that public opinion seems strangely divided before the majority of cinemagoers have even bought a ticket. Apparently, judging a film before watching it has become a competitive sport of its own.
At the centre of Kung Fu Soccer is the struggling Emei women's football team, an underfunded squad fighting to keep their dream alive despite outdated facilities, financial hardship and a coach whose loyalty becomes increasingly questionable.
Rather than relying on convenient miracles or over-the-top heroics, the story focuses on persistence, teamwork and resilience. The players survive by taking part-time jobs while refusing to abandon football, making their victories feel earned instead of conveniently delivered by cinematic magic.
The film's biggest twist comes through its inventive blend of traditional Chinese martial arts with football tactics. Tai Chi becomes a graceful dribbling technique, while Wing Chun transforms into devastating shots capable of sending goalkeepers into early retirement.
It sounds gloriously ridiculous on paper, yet early audiences insist it works because the absurdity never overshadows the characters themselves. Somehow, flying footballs and martial arts combinations coexist without turning the film into complete chaos, which is an achievement in itself.
Much of the praise has also been directed towards the cast, whose preparation has impressed audiences almost as much as the finished performances.
Zhang Xiaofei reportedly cut her hair and spent six months in intensive football training to portray the team's determined captain with convincing physicality. Rather than simply looking the part, viewers say she genuinely carries the spirit of a leader whose confidence slowly spreads throughout the squad.
Meanwhile, Dilraba Dilmurat has drawn attention for transforming herself physically by gaining around eight kilograms to better portray the team's powerful striker. Early reactions suggest the change was more than cosmetic, with audiences highlighting how naturally she fits into the demanding sporting sequences.
Instead of looking like someone carefully avoiding grass stains, she reportedly plays the role with convincing grit and determination. Lay Zhang also earns positive notices for his performance as the team's coach.
Viewers describe the character as balancing humour with genuine responsibility, avoiding the exaggerated mentor stereotype often found in sports films. His comedic timing fits comfortably within Stephen Chow's signature style, while still grounding the emotional moments that give the story its surprising weight.
Of course, the biggest talking point remains Stephen Chow himself. Although serving behind the camera as producer and director, audiences believe his unmistakable creative fingerprints are visible throughout the film.
Fans repeatedly mention that the opening sequence immediately reminded them of Shaolin Soccer, with one viewer joking that the flying football nearly hitting an aeroplane had the entire cinema laughing before the plot had properly started.
It is exactly the sort of unapologetically absurd humour that made Chow famous, and many believe he has rediscovered that balance after years away from the sports comedy genre.
Visually, Kung Fu Soccer also appears to deliver on expectations. Reports suggest the production invested around 380 million yuan in visual effects, and early viewers say the money is visible on screen.
Rather than using digital effects simply to create spectacle, audiences believe they enhance the imaginative martial arts sequences without overwhelming the story. The football action reportedly feels energetic, inventive and refreshingly playful instead of resembling a lengthy computer graphics demonstration.
Beyond the comedy and action, many viewers were unexpectedly moved by the film's emotional core. Rather than focusing solely on winning championships, Kung Fu Soccer explores the realities faced by female athletes struggling for recognition and financial stability.
Several audience members said the most memorable scenes were not the spectacular football matches, but quieter moments showing the players working ordinary jobs before returning to training with unwavering determination. Those moments, they argued, carry more emotional force than any explosive special effect.
The friendship between the teammates has also earned widespread praise. Instead of relying on tired rivalries or unnecessary internal conflict, the story celebrates mutual support and collective resilience.
Audiences appreciated seeing women encouraging one another through setbacks rather than endlessly arguing for dramatic effect. Sometimes cooperation turns out to be more entertaining than another predictable dressing-room shouting match.
Not every reaction has been completely glowing, however. Some viewers admitted they entered the cinema expecting another routine inspirational sports drama dressed up with martial arts choreography.
Others acknowledged the growing scepticism surrounding the project before release, with critics accusing Stephen Chow of leaning too heavily on nostalgia. Those concerns continue to circulate online, although many who have actually attended early screenings argue that the assumptions do not match the finished film.
Several netizens also suggested that modern audiences have become less receptive to Chow's trademark absurd comedy. Some believe viewers now dismiss exaggerated humour as empty visual spectacle rather than appreciating the deliberate nonsense that has always defined his filmmaking.
In other words, people are demanding realism from a film where martial arts techniques improve football skills. That is certainly one way to approach cinema. Even so, one point repeatedly appears throughout early reactions: Kung Fu Soccer avoids many of the clichés that often weigh down sports films.
There are no miraculous overnight transformations, no invincible heroes and no magical shortcuts to success. Instead, the victories come through persistence, teamwork and characters who remain surprisingly grounded despite occasionally launching footballs with martial arts precision.
Whether the overwhelmingly positive first impressions translate into box office success remains to be seen when Kung Fu Soccer officially opens in cinemas on 11 July. Early audiences clearly believe Stephen Chow has delivered a heartfelt sports comedy that respects his classic style while introducing fresh emotional depth. Now the wider public will decide whether this really is a triumphant return or simply another nostalgic reunion. Have you already been convinced by the early buzz, or are you waiting until release day before making up your mind?