Soccer, it goes without saying, is one of the most popular sports in the world. From the United States to Europe to Asia and even in-between, the game (commonly known as futbol outside the United States) has countless fans, as do the teams that play the game. Here in the United States, it has even become so popular over the years that it has led to the creation of a handful of movies centered on the sport, such as Bend it Like Beckham, Victory, and Kicking and Screaming. It has also led to movies centered around the sport in other nations, including Hong Kong, from where audiences got the sports/kung fu comedy, The Champions in 1983. Late this month, that movie received renewed attention thanks to Eureka Entertainment. The independent film distributor re-issued the movie Sept. 24 on Blu-ray. The precursor to the far more well-known hit soccer flick, Shaolin Soccer, this screwball/slapstick offering is well worth watching even if only once. That is due in part to its featured story, which will be discussed shortly. The movie’s general presentation adds to that appeal especially for American audiences. This will be discussed a little later. The bonus content that accompanies the movie in its new release rounds out its most important elements and will also be examined later. Each item noted here is important in its own way to the whole of The Champions. All things considered they make The Champions a surprisingly worthwhile watch whether one is a fan of sports movies, comedies, or even kung fu classics.
Eureka Entertainment’s new re-issue of the classic Asian import, The Champions, is a surprisingly engaging and entertaining presentation that deserves to be watched at least once. Its appeal comes in part through its story. Blending elements of slapstick and screwball comedy with the familiar underdog storyline of so many sports flick and the equally familiar kung fu leanings of so many movies from Hong Kong, it follows a young man who comes from the country to the big city and ends up joining a sports team. This after he unwittingly discovers his own talents as a soccer player. He eventually uses his skills to defeat “The King of Soccer” (Dick Wei) after “The King” had previously treated him so badly as a member of The Dragons. In other words, the story here is really the classic zero to hero tale that has become so commonplace among so many American sports/underdog tales. The catch is that with this movie, the over the top nature of so many American underdog/sports stories is actually completely nonexistent. It makes the story all the more surprisingly appealing. That is because that over the top approach that so many American underdog tales have taken is in fact so annoying because it is the same from one movie to the next. That minimalist approach (of sorts) is a nice touch here. Along the way there is plenty of kung fu action for fans of that genre as well as some surprisingly hilarious slapstick and screwball leanings at points. The whole is a story that even being an import, will entertain so many audiences even here in the United States.
The movie’s story is only part of its appeal in its new re-issue. Its general presentation plays just as much into its appeal. Speaking more specifically, Western audiences have the option to watch the movie either dubbed in English or with American subtitles. Eastern audiences can watch the movie in Cantonese if they so choose. Giving audiences those separate viewing options is appealing in its own way because, again, this movie is Asian at root. Having only subtitles means American audiences have to spend more time reading the translations than actually watching the movie. Audiences will in turn actually get less out of the movie. Having overdubs as an option means actually getting to hear and watch the movie. It is much more engagement. What all of this means is that the people at Eureka Entertainment took all of this into consideration ahead of time. Believe it or not there are companies whose officials do not have such foresight. To that end, those involved in bringing this import back to life for Western audiences with those options deserve plenty of applause.
While the movie’s story and general presentation are clearly of importance to its presentation, they are only part of what makes it worth watching. The bonus content that accompanies the movie in its new re-issue rounds out its most important elements. There is a handful of bonus content that comes with the movie, including a pair of feature-length audio commentaries. The keystone of the bonus content is actually the separate commentary/discussion by film critic James Mudge. Mudge talks in his featurette, about the history of kung fu movies and the Hong Kong cinema community. One of the most interesting anecdotes that he shares is how the soccer aspect of this movie is actually secondary and that the kung fu aspect is really the primary leaning. The whole discussion therein will be left for audiences to hear for themselves. It is enlightening to say the least. He also talks about The Champions as it compares to other Hong Kong flicks from the likes of Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan and other more well-known stars of the genre. His explanation of why their movies made them bigger stars versus the role of The Champions in star Biao Yuen’s career offers its own interest. Between all of this and much more that he discusses, Mudge’s examination of the movie and of Hong Kong film in general offers plenty of engagement and entertainment in its own right. It makes this extra the backbone of the movie’s bonus material. When his commentary and the other commentaries are considered along with the movie’s story and its general presentation, the whole therein makes for even more appeal for The Champions and in turn all the more reason for audiences to view this movie.
Eureka Entertainment’s new Blu-ray re-issue of The Champions is an interesting presentation that will appeal to a wide range of audiences, even here in the United States. Its appeal comes, as noted, in part through its story. That is because of how well it balances the familiar sports/underdog tale with the equally familiar kung fu genre elements of the Hong Kong film community. The movie’s general presentation, which offers Western and Eastern audio options, adds to the appeal, ensuring viewers on both sides of the Atlantic (and Pacific, really) will be able to watch the tale. The bonus content that accompanies the movie in its new re-issue rounds out its most important elements. That is because of the background and history it provides. Each element examined is important in its own way to the whole of the movie. All things considered they make The Champions a surprisingly enjoyable import that deserves to be seen at least once, whether one is a fan of kung fu classics or sports/underdog tales.
The Champions is available now. More information on this and other titles from Eureka Entertainment is available at:
Website: https://eurekavideo.co.uk
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