Kuala Lampur, July 9 -- KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 - For most audiences, Shaolin kung fu is synonymous with flying kicks, lightning-fast punches and gravity-defying stunts.

Despite the many kung fu classics that have graced the silver screen, action star and martial artist Shi Yanneng believes none has truly captured the essence of authentic Shaolin martial arts.

To Shi, a 32nd-generation disciple of Shaolin Temple, Shaolin kung fu has always represented far more than spectacular fight scenes and dazzling choreography.

"To this day, I do not think there has been a single action film that has fully and authentically presented the real Shaolin martial arts system on screen.

"You do see glimpses of it here and there with certain techniques, mo...