Kung Fu Hustle(Gong fu)(2004)
reviewed by Benn "Where's the Humanity?" Farrell &Brian "The Naked Gun" Felts
"Kung Fu Hustle (Gong fu) is about the worst neighborhood in Shanghai, called "Pig Sty Alley," the only neighborhood where the gangs of Shanghai, like the most vicious Axe Gang, do not rule. However, a couple of wannabe thugs, including one named Sing, played by writer/director Stephen Chow, start some trouble there and before you know it, the REAL Axe Gang shows up. Except when the Axe Gang starts to terrorize the people of this alley, they are suddenly wiped out by three Kung Fu masters who live and work there. The very creepy Brother Sum, leader of the Axe Gang, played by Kwok Kuen Chan, retaliates with a couple of assassins who end up killing the Kung Fu masters. In the process, the draw out two of the most powerful fighters in the area, the landlords of the alley, a dude who always looks drunk and some fat lady who likes to yell and hit people. Meanwhile, Sing, who is trying to initiate himself into the Axe Gang by killing someone, searches for a victim. He eventually tries to make it a young pretty street vender selling ice cream. After a couple run in's together, Sing and this mute beauty realize they have a history together; he defender her honor as a child when he was just learning the Buddha Palm method of Kung Fu. Eventually, Brother Sum has Sing break into the local mental institution to free "The Beast," an old man notorious to be the deadliest fighter ever. "The Beast" is enlisted by the Axe Gang to retaliate against the Landlord and Landlady. Their epic battles eventually turn the heart of Sing, who comes to their aid, and eventually unlocks his true fighting potential. The story is very cute. The message is very simple, "Good will always overcome evil." The same simple message a little 1970s film called "Star Wars" carried. Director Chow had such a manner of pacing in this picture, I knew when I ran off the rest room, I was going to miss SOMETHING exciting. Of course, according to Brian, I missed a good laugh; one of MANY this picture carries. This movie is an acquired taste. Even I, at times, had a look on my face as if to say, "What the hell is going on HERE?" For the most part, I laughed a lot at the slapstick dark comedy. My favorite funny scene was when Sing and his sidekick kept trying to kill Landlady with a series of throwing knives, except somehow, each knife ended up being stuck in Sing's torso. I was almost crying by the time the sequence was over. The picture is fun to watch, has funny material and for a comedy, is definitely tailored for an International audience. It doesn't just bear gags of which only Asian audiences would find funny. It ends on a very sweet subplot, and a possible sequel. I enjoyed it immensely. If you enjoyed kung fu flicks and screwball comedy violence, then "Kung Fu Hustle" is one to check out. Benn - Where's the Humanity?
I really agree with Benn on this movie, it is very entertaining and its fun to see something like this from
another country. Five years ago, this movie would not have made it over here and I am really surprised that
it did today. Normally we only get the award caliber movies not the 'Naked Gun' of Hong Kong movies.
I highly recommend this movie for all of the reasons Benn has given and it will definitely make my
DVD collection.
Brian - the Naked Gun
Have you ever seen Japanimation features like "Fist of the North Star?" Well, it's THAT kind of wacky, wacky, WACKY action sequences that litters this latest import from China. However, this picture is a near screwball comedy, which spoof numerous American contemporary classics, like "The Matrix" and "The Untouchables."