Kung fu collaboration a hit

Supposedly inspired by Stephen Chow's 2001 blockbuster Shaolin Soccer, Japanese action comedy Shaolin Girl is perfect for diehard fans of the comedian.

The film stars teen idol Kou Shibasaki as Rin, a Japanese girl obsessed with Shaolin martial arts. After nine years practising kung fu in the Shaolin Temple, she returns to her hometown - only to discover that the kung fu school founded by her late grandfather is in ruins.

Eager to spread the gospel of martial arts, she joins a university lacrosse team and blends her kung fu skills with the sport to stunning effect. Meanwhile, the school principal - a practitioner of kung fu's dark arts - wants to fight Rin and prove he's the best fighter in the world.

Combining the plots of Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle, the film is surprisingly entertaining despite its silly premise. Director Katsuyuki Motohiro recycles gags and action set pieces from the comedies of Chow, who serves as consultant on the movie, so the fun is not lost in translation.

The climactic fight sequence, a tribute to Bruce Lee's Tower of Death, will particularly excite fans of old-school kung fu flicks.

Hong Kong actors Lam Tze-tsung and Tin Kai-man and mainland actress Kitty Zhang play only peripheral roles, but their presence will ensure the movie appeals to local and mainland viewers.