play the main character, Hui Guang, impress with their contortionist feats and physical prowess . . . The splashy all-monks-on-deck numbers combine the pop of a Broadway dance routine with the testosteroney thrill of Hong Kong action movies. But Soul of Shaolin ultimately seems a pretty cheap enterprise. The sets are mostly painted flats, and the music . . . is recorded. Much of it is schlocky; for long stretches it sounds as if someone loaded up the world’s most bombastic movie soundtracks on an iPod and then pressed the shuffle button. The passages of more relaxed indigenous music come as a big relief. Unfortunately for the makers of Soul of Shaolin . . . the innumerable Cirque du Soleil shows have set a far higher standard in terms of stagecraft . . . I seriously doubt Soul of Shaolin represents the best of Chinese culture." Sam Thielman of Variety called the production "a rushed, expertly trained assault that leaves you slightly confused afterward" and "a little weak on storytelling and variety." He added, "In the rare instances when the show communicates with utter clarity, it succeeds by speaking a universal language of one-upmanship and pratfalls . . . At the end of the day, however, you can get more precision from The Rockettes and you can get smarter Chinese action-comedy from a Stephen Chow movie. Soul of Shaolin isn't a failure, exactly, but it doesn't hit its target often enough to be a success, either." Joe Dziemianowicz of the New York Daily News rated it two out of five stars and commented, "To borrow from A Chorus Line, Shaolin rates as follows - Martial arts: 10. Magic: 3 . . . Some kung-fu moves will make your head spin. When these performers launch into the air and whirl nearly horizontal to the ground, it's no Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon special effect. Unfortunately, cheesy sets and choppy staging choices undermine the highs. Lights and piped-in music don't seamlessly fade and bridge scenes. They slam off, like someone hitting the brakes to avoid a car crash. If you love martial arts and think Kill Bill is high art, you might not mind." Frank Scheck of the New York Post gave the production three out of four stars and commented, "The impressive performers . . . provide a dazzling display of their skills, many involving staffs and sabers, but mostly their masterful