| Martial Arts Of Shaolin (aka Shaolin Temple 3) marked the first and only collaboration between former Wushu champion turned martial arts star Jet Li and legendary martial arts director Lau Kar Leung. Released at the end of the Shaw Brother's era as we know it, it was also Lau's last contribution to the studio until until 2002's Drunken Monkey. Martial Arts Of Shaolin does feature most of the same cast that first was beautifully showcased in Shaolin Temple (1982) but it's merely a sequel in name only so there's no catching up to do via the prior Mainland China productions.
Shaw's teamed up with Pearl River Film for this one and one of the finest assets of the production is the marvelous location work. Not only was the actual Shaolin Temple once more used but excursions to the Forbidden City, The Great Wall and a climax at the Yangtze river makes this stand out from all the efforts at the Shaw's stages that Lau previously had filmed on.
While the plot is no great shakes and basically utilizes the first movie and most others revenge storyline, it's a genuine treat to see all these actual Wushu performers perform under the direction of Lau. While not the best screen fighters Lau has ever directed, they're clearly not in need of aid in terms of wires or doubling either, especially not young Jet Li in his absolute prime. Lau Kar Leung bid farewell to Shaw Brother's in fine and grand style, firmly sealing his status as the greatest martial arts filmmaker in the world.
Romeo Diaz and James Wong also provide a score that lingers, in a very welcome way, long after the final frame. | 
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