Champions takes place before the 1936 Olympics, where China is trying to determine who to send to represent the country for a special exhibition during the closing ceremonies.The kung fu scenes are well done here, though I could have done with out the wirework, which seemed really out of place in a film that is supposedly trying to showcase real martial artists.

As for the rest of the movie, it's really hit or miss. Dicky Cheung makes an decent enough lead and former child star Tze Miu has a solid supporting role. But the combination of sugary-sweet and cheesy exposition, obvious nationalistic overtones, and a ending that drags on for far too long ultimately hamper this movie from rising above the realm of the average.