Kung Fu Hustle

By Kate Xian
April 08, 2005

Stephen Chow first burst onto the international scene with the uproarious Shaolin Soccer, now with his follow-up film Kung Fu Hustle, he brings his slapstick genre bending style to a pre-revolutionary Chinese setting filled with quirks and oddities. One can never cry cliche when walking out of a Chow film, as his movies are a unique amalgamation of homage, genres, and eras.

Chow stars as the clumsy and bumbling underdog Sing, who has aspirations of being inducted into the Axe gang. The axe wielding band of ruffians rule the town, but neglect poorer parts such as Pig Sty Alley. Sing inadvertently drags the Axe gang into Pig Sty in his efforts to join them, but this unassuming neighbourhood has secrets that create an all out war between the two factions. In the end Sing holds a secret of his own that even he wasn't aware of, and represents the resolution to this unorthodox battle.

Entertainment 9/10

The seamless combination of cartoonish outrageous comedy and martial arts action always makes the film feverishly entertaining. This is a film that continues to hold our attention through its charming story, unusual visual prowess, quick-witted comedy, and fast paced action. While it may fall flat in a few of its many sight gags and ridiculous situations, overall Kung Fu Hustle is pure fun without any pretensions. It's a movie that loves movies with its numerous references ranging from Bruce Lee to the Matrix to Spider-man. His love of the old is apparent in his casting choices as well with the likes of Leung Siu Lung (once known as one of the 'three dragons' in the 70s alongside Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan) as 'the Beast' and the previously retired Yuen Qiu (a former Bond girl) as 'the Landlady.' Chow's film is filled with passion and it definitely flows through to its viewers.

Innovation 9/10

When entering a Stephen Chow film, one can always expect something different, and Kung Fu Hustle is no exception. From dancing gangsters to Roadrunner-esque chase sequences to red undergarment wearing fairies, this movie has quite the imagination. Something that lacks in the majority of mainstream films today, making it a breath of fresh air from the predictable tedium of Hollywood. With that imagination however the film still manages to be shot brilliantly and beautifully.

Emotional Resonance 7/10

While this movie has no intentions of being a dramatic masterpiece, at its core it still resonates emotionally with its viewers because of its heart. Like Shaolin Soccer, what connects with the audience is its simple and endearing themes. Where Chow's previous film touched upon the value of dreams and persistence, Kung Fu Hustle deals with an average guy who deep down is good and pure but on the surface strives to be something worse because of a world that has beaten him into the ground. His themes are broad ideas that we all can relate to at some level.

Social Context 6/10

Okay so this is obviously a Hong Kong film, so how does this fit into the larger social context? Well being a film with a larger budget (Sony Pictures was a major financer) and wider release than most Asian films, Kung Fu Hustle will continue the slew of Asian films taking the world by storm. However, it is a Kung Fu film, so it may very well perpetuate the Asian stereotypes that already exist. Although the film doesn't take itself too seriously and is meant to even parody the martial arts movie, it is still engrained in the majority of people's minds that martial arts is what Asians are all about and this film may reaffirm those beliefs. On the other hand, it is a film that brings Asian culture to the forefront although in a cliched manner. Thus, whether or not this movie is beneficial to Asian culture remains questionable.

Recall 9/10

This film is memorable not because of its story or its action, but for its wild imagination and extraordinary mixture of genres. In a sea of clear-cut romantic comedies, senseless action vehicles, formulaic family movies, and redundant horror/thrillers, Kung Fu Hustle stands out like a sore thumb. How can one forget something so unusually entertaining?

Overall 80%

That means go see it this weekend!

North American Release Date: April 08, 2005
Running Time: 95 minutes
No MPAA Rating
Cantonese & Mandarin with English Subtitles
Director: Stephen Chow
Producers: Stephen Chow, Yang Bu Ting, Wang Zhong Jun, Chui Po Chu, Jeff Lau, Han
San Ping, & Wang Zhong Lei
Screenplay: Stephen Chow, Tsang Kan Cheong, Lola Huo, & Chan Man Keung
Director of Photography: Poon Hang Sang (HKSC)
Action Choreography: Yuen Wo Ping with Sammo Hung
Editor: Angie Lam
Music: Raymond Wong