Review: KUNG FU HUSTLE

Sing: Stephen Chow
Landlady: Yuen Qiu
Landlord: Wah Yuen
The Beast: Leung Siu Lung
Doughnut: Dong Zhi Hua
Tailor: Chiu Chi Ling
Brother Sum: Chan Kwok Kwan
Fong: Huang Sheng Yi
Sing’s Sidekick: Lam Tze Chung

Directed by: Stephen Chow
Written by Chow, Tsang Kan Cheong, Lola Huo and Chan Man Keung
Running Time: 99 minutes
Rated: R (for sequences of strong stylized action and violence)

I was a fan of Stephen Chow walking into this film. I really liked ‘Shaolin Soccer’, as it was full of gut splitting laughs and was one of the biggest surprises of the last few years. For the second film in a row, Chow again hits the bullseye with ‘Kung Fu Hustle’. While the film has some huge laughs, it’s no where near the same vein as Shaolin Soccer. This film has a few serious moments, some romance and most of all… some off the charts kickass Kung Fu. You can clearly tell that Chow has a deep love for action movies especially of Martial Art variety. The films pays a very sweet homage to many Kung Fu films, while at the same time making it’s own place that I think will make it a nice addition to the genre. The film also had characters that were well written and had complete backgrounds and developed as the film progressed. Basically this was the complete package, and a must see for those who are looking for the next great film to come out of Hong Kong…

Speaking of Hong Kong, the setting takes place in that city, but years back (around the 1930s I think) during a time when gangs were running amok one another and causing havok to the point where the slums was the best place to live since the gangs had no reason to be there as there was no profit to gain. But when the gangs happen to grapple with the slums, they are sent packing as those living in the slums are great Kung Fu masters trying to live a normal life in peace, and after that chaos unsues as the Gangs do anything (even hire assassins) to get back at those who embarassed them. While the story here is very simple, what elevates it to something better than an average Kung Fu film is its characters, especially the main character Sing (Chow) who is a wannabe gangster attempting to join the famous Axe Gang. Some of these scenes are very funny as seemed to be at times a spoof of other films like Gangs Of New York. Young Sing’s reasons for wanting to join this gang are rather simple: he thinks the bad guys are cool and wants to be as cool as them. His arrogance and obsession to become a member of the Aze gang causes a war to break out between a poor housing complex that secretly holds a number hidden talents and the murderous axe gang. But there are also sub-plots and flashbacks that give us an idea that Sing is a good guy, and that in the end he would do what was right to make up for being a royal dick at the beginning. Chow managed to direct and act this role perfectly, slowing transforming from the fool we all laughed at to the hero who we all rooted for to win in the end.

There is also a fantastic slate of supporting performances that makes the film that much better. The two actors playing the landlord and landlady are not just hilarious at the beginning but do a little developing of their own when their secret is revealed. The Kung Fu masters from the slums are also cool, but the characters that seemed to steal the show are the assassins that are hired by the Aze gang to kill the masters that made them look like fools. The two musicans are spectacular, as are the special effects that make they look extremely vicious. And just when you thought the action couldn’t get any better, we are introduced to the mother of all assassins, ‘The Beast’. An Assassin so brutal, that he’s been voluntarily living in nut house cause there is no one out there skilled enough to waste his time. Characters like this combined with the lead made this a really too character piece, which I think is rather rare for a Kung Fu film these days. Action films are too busy blowing things up to care about things like developing characters or making them a person the audience would care about as they get hurt or attacked. Something that makes this film head and shoulders above the average martial arts picture.

What also impressed the crap out of me was this film’s extreme and off the charts use of digital effects. They are extreme and top knotch, being used to ephasize the action in the film and the characters u sing them, instead of overshadowing the action and the story. Having succumbed to the digital revolution with his last picture (Shaolin Soccer), Chow manages to once again to use his effects wisely as they are used to elevate the scenes as they never seem to stand in the way. This film has the kind of effects you would expect to see from a Hong Kong production, as normally they would rivals rivals Hollywood features in every category (set, costumes cinematography), but this film also amazingly is enough the CGI department as well! And while you can clearly notice most if not all of the effects, that really doesn’t matter. They effects are used to generate some knee slapping laughs and some bitchin’ action scenes. These scene left the audience rolling on the floor and breathless at other times because of the impressive action seen on screen.

I am again however, left in awe at the aweome direction of Stephen Chow. Ever since 94 when Chow co-directed ‘Love on Delivery’, he has been spitting out one great movie after another. This film is not as funny as his earlier projects, but this is done intentionally as Chow gambles on making a Kung Fu film, rather than a comedy. A gamble that pays off as the action is amazing. ‘Kung Fu Hustle’ still reminds us of Chow’s great comedic timing, but introduces us to a visual eye that seems to have a talent for putting together a kickass action sequence. It’s been a while since we’ve see a film that has been able to take serious and intense graphic violence and then just jump over the top ridiculous spoofing. Chow not only pulls this off, but creates an atmosphere and mood throughout the film that is incredible. As always the comedy is funny and easy to get into, but when the scene switches gears and kicks up the action a knotch… you can’t help but be amazed by each mind blowing scene. And then where the scene changes to a bit of melodrama, you’re hanging off each word waiting to hear what happens or what is said next. When you put all this together, you have a complete package and a film that is completely out of this world.

Overall, I highly recommended movie to anyone who wants to see the next best thing in the action/Kung Fu genre. The film is a blast and a lot of fun to watch. Chow composes a masterpiece of laugh, kicks and special effects that will be hard to top this year or for a few years. It was basically the total package, and it made for one of the best movie going experiences I had this year. If you’re into Kung Fu and are looking for what I truly think is the next big thing for the genre, then give Kung Fu Hustle a look and I assure you it will not disappoint. I pretty much guarentee you this film is going to make my top ten for 2006. I’m dying to go back to the theatre and watch it again. I would recommend you checking it out while its still in theatres… the big screen is the best way to experience this film for the fist time.

Rating: 10 (Out of 10)