Stephen Chow's new film, 'Shaolin Soccer: Women's Team,' has stirred up considerable controversy since its release. The film debuted on July 11 and quickly broke seven box office records, demonstrating Chow's enduring popularity among audiences. Within just two days, it grossed over 400 million yuan, a testament to its commercial success.

The film's impressive box office figures include a staggering 260 million yuan on its opening day, accounting for 80% of the total box office revenue in China. 'Shaolin Soccer: Women's Team' has set records for the highest number of viewers on its opening day for summer films in the past five years and the highest opening day revenue for summer films in the last three years. Currently, it holds over 47% of the total screenings, with projections suggesting it could reach 1.8 billion yuan in total revenue.

Despite its financial success, the film has faced sharp criticism regarding its content and special effects, which many viewers feel do not justify the substantial budget of 380 million yuan. On the Maoyan platform, which allows only viewers who have seen the film to rate it, 'Shaolin Soccer: Women's Team' received a score of 9.4. However, on Douban, a popular film rating platform in China, it only scored 6.6 out of 10.

Opinions about the film are polarized. Supporters praise its humor and the nostalgic elements that are characteristic of Chow's style, while detractors criticize the film's outdated special effects and question the use of its budget. Some younger viewers have dismissed it as merely a gender-swapped version of the original 'Shaolin Soccer' from 2001, which featured a cast of seasoned actors, including Chow and Ng Man-tat, who brought significant star power to the film.

Chow's reputation as a creative force has also been called into question, with some critics suggesting that he is relying too heavily on the nostalgia of his past works without bringing new ideas to the table. His previous attempts at reviving classic films, such as 'The New King of Comedy' and 'Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons,' have faced similar backlash, leading to a perception that he is out of touch with contemporary audience preferences.

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether 'Shaolin Soccer: Women's Team' will maintain its box office momentum or if the criticism will impact its long-term success.