Review of Kung Fu Hustle (2004) by Casey M — 29 May 2011

Hot Damn I love this movie. When I watch a kung fu movie I'm honestly not that interested in characters or story, I'm just in it for some sweet action. Now, in some cases like Tony Jaa Movies, that's all I get. But with Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle I get a bit more satisfaction. On top of AMAZING action sequences this movie is filled to the brim with pure silliness and affection.

Kung Fu Hustle is about a group of people living in a slum, and their fight against the evil Axe Gang. Along the way Sing (played by director Chow)desperately wants to become a member of the gang so he can be rich and live the good life. Sing's meddling is the whole reason the slum residents get in the brawl with the gang, but eventually Sing realizes his full potential. The story is not that creative, and the moral is often used, but Chow puts so much heart into it that the story's flaws are acceptable. The characters have clear development, which is sometimes hard to find in kung fu movies, but these characters help carry the story and action, which makes it all that more impressive. Chow pumps emotion into these characters, so when their lives are in danger, we actually care. This is hard to find these days, most film makers have forgotten that action alone doesn't cut it, we need to be rooting for someone, and you do with this movie.

Another fantastic aspect of this movie is its goofiness and silliness. In a movie with emotion and fantastic kung fu, you wouldn't expect over the top ridiculous goof ball antics. But that's what you get, and man is it hilarious. When you've got a middle aged woman in pajamas chasing a man with knives stuck in his shoulders at 60 mph on foot, you've got a winner. Especially when that man uses the knives as rear view mirrors. The jokes roll in at a good pace, and the more you pay attention to the little things the more you will realize how goofy this movie is.

As for the action- it's amazing. The first fight scene when three hidden kung fu masters take on the whole Axe Gang (about 40 men) made my jaw drop. It is my favorite fight scene of all time, and all the choreography is done by Yuen Woo Ping, the choreographer of Kill Bill and The Matrix. There are plenty of fight scenes with a wide array of different styles to please your eye balls.

This movie is over all amazing. It's touching, silly, astounding, and fun as hell. Check this movie out if you want to have fun and be entertained, this is the movie for you. Be ready for the goofiness, it comes out of nowhere.

Alternative to Watch: I don't have one this time, seriously watch this one. But after wards watch Chow's equally hilarious Shaolin Soccer.