Cover story of Taiwanese singer-actor Jay Chou\’s movie, Slam Dunk

1. by Leong Wai Kit
Cover Story
Cover Story
BEEN THERE,
DUNK THAT
All the high-jinks action of
kungfu movies might seem
a bit far-fetched. You know
the ying over walls and
skimming tree-tops, but
leaping around a basketball
court? Sure can. Enter Jay and even Ng Mang Tat (better conflict with her management. So, discovered and offered a place at a
known as the default sidekick of pass! university basketball team by Coach
Chou as a ghting t slam Stephen Chow) are roped in. The ball ended in Charlene Wang Li – played by Eric Tsang
dunker. But it wasn’t easy assembling Choi’s court, who finally scored the (convincing even when short and
this team. lead role (phew). The sweetie-cutie stout).
Twins singer plays the eye candy And for the dash of romance to
T
he swordsmen turned Bouncing roles love interest of Jay Chou. the plot, Shi Jie falls in love with
sportsmen formula seems The female lead was initially Among those who didn’t score the basketball team leader’s sister,
to be working pretty okay in offered to Korean singer BoA, who, roles was – heaven forbid – NBA who is none other than the lovable
films these days. through her album releases in player Yao Ming. Though offered Charlene Choi. In the meantime,
Take the 2001 Hong Kong film Taiwan, has earned herself many a cameo part in Kungfu Dunk, the the team faces an unscrupulous
Shaolin Soccer. A bit of tackling Taiwanese fans. But the project over-towering sportsman had to competitor in a major competition.
here; a lot of kungfu (and CGI) came at a time when the demure turn it down, due to an injury near Along with several other kungfu
there, and goaaaaal. It scores. diva’s hands were full. So BoA had the time of filming. experts turned basketballers in
The latest is Kungfu Dunk to pass the ball over to… hey, Eun- the team, Shi Jie prepares for
(opens Feb 7) with players that hye, catch! In a nutshell some kick-ass action in the final
include the dude-cool Jay Chou and Bad pass. Singer-model-actress Jay Chou plays an orphan showdown.
Taiwanese drama idols Chen Bo-Lin Yoon Eun-hye, too couldn’t play the (Shi Jie) who grew up in a kungfu And with martial arts stunts
and Baron Chen. And to add more lead. At that time, the actress (of school, and is a natural with martial and CGI effects, Kungfu Dunk looks
haa-yak! to the cast, well-known the recent K-drama Goong fame) arts and basketball. With such set to take kungfu-in-sports action
16
6 names like Eric Tsang, Jacky Wu was reportedly embroiled in a unusual talents, he’s naturally movies to new heights. 17
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