Movie Info
Movie Name: Kung Fu Hustle
Studio: Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia
Genre(s): Martial Arts/Action/Adventure/Comedy
Release Date(s): September 14, 2004 (Toronto International Film Festival)/December 23, 2004 (China)/April 22, 2005 (US)
MPAA Rating: R
Who can stop the army of evil axes?
When Sing (Stephen Chow) and Bone (Lam Chi-chung) pose as members of the Axe Gang, they accidentally bring hell upon the low-rent apartment building known as Pigsty Alley. Three Kung Fu masters known as Coolie (Xing Yu), Tailor (Chiu Chi-ling), and Donut (Dong Zhihua) enrage the wrath of Brother Sum (Danny Chan Kwok-kwan) who leads the Axe Gang. Brother Sum wants revenge and he’s willing to pay for it regardless if the Landlady (Yuen Qiu) and her battered husband (Yuen Wah) are having none of it. It could be Sing’s chance…but the danger of the Beast (Bruce Leung Siu-lung) is lurking.
Road Runner!
Directed by Stephen Chow who also help produce the film and write the film (with Huo Xin, Chan Man-keung, and Tsang Kan-cheung), Kung Fu Hustle is an action-adventure comedy fantasy. The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and received wide praise. The film was given a large release and became a massive international hit.
I can remember seeing the trailers for Kung Fu Hustle and knowing I had to see it. Watching it in the theater, you knew you were watching something different and special. You can watch Kung Fu Hustle and see where it evolved from and what evolved from it…it still remains an interesting film.
Unlikely heroes…unlikely villain
The movie’s storyline combines so many genres. You have the surreal, the martial arts, intense action, and even dance. It is woven together in a manner that works and excels. Plot feels completely original while managing to feel familiar at the same time. The story rocks and rolls through the course of the movie and ends in a satisfying conclusion.
While Stephen Chow was a big factor in his previous movie Shaolin Soccer, Chow like the bookends to a bigger story. Much of the cast did appear in Shaolin Soccer and it is interesting to watch the two films back-to-back for that reason. While Yeun Qiu is the obvious scene stealer as the Landlady, everyone nails the scenes they are in from the Kung Fu Masters, to the villainous Danny Chan Kwok-kwan, and Bruce Leung Siu-lung. It is a great ensemble cast.
Any movie that can mix in a man jumping off a soaring eagle’s back gets my thumb’s up!
The visuals aide the story. From the Bollywood-esque dance scene at the beginning of the film to homages to Looney Tunes, The Shining, Spider-Man, and even Forrest Gump, the movie jumps all over the place, but it does feel a bit more controlled (if that is possible in a movie where people can run like Road Runner) than Shaolin Soccer. You can see how it benefited from movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, but it also feels completely original.
Kung Fu Hustle is a great and different film. It isn’t for everyone and you really have to get the humor and style of the film to enjoy it…but if you do, it can easily win you over. The movie received a 3D release in 2014 and there have always been rumors of a sequel…but just enjoy the dance for now.
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