Kung Fu Hustle - ScreenDaily's Review

[dleedlee]

Allan Hunter in Toronto 23 September 2004
Dir: Stephen Chow. HK-Chi. 2004. 95mins

http://www.screendaily.com/story.asp?st ... 243&r=true

The martial arts film to end all martial arts films, Kung Fu Hustle makes Kill Bill look like a playground scuffle. Stephen Chow's affectionate salute to the era of Bruce Lee and the Shaw Brothers is a jaw-dropping mixture of blistering fight sequences, slapstick sadism and delirious black comedy.

Action fans and Chow devotees will be in seventh heaven although the mainstream audiences who embraced Hero will be more resistant to the cartoon qualities and unrepentant overkill of this zestful venture. Chow's follow-up to the record-breaking Shaolin Soccer should perform equally well on its home territory and has the ability to go beyond cult status internationally.

A self-confessed fan of 1970s Hong Kong action films in general and Bruce Lee in particular, Chow has pulled together many of the great names from the period to collaborate on this homage including Matrix choreographer Yuen Wo Ping, stuntman Yuen Wah and actress Yuen Qiu with the latter coaxed out of a twenty year retirement. The talents involved make the film irresistible for anyone who shares Chow's passion but equally accessible to those who don't.

Set amidst the chaos of 1930s China, the film depicts a city in the grip of the ruthless Axe Gang, a collection of hoodlums distinguished by their top hats, terrible teeth and proficiency with an axe. The one safe area is a crowded apartment block in Pig Sty Alley. Petty thief Sing (Chow) attempts to gain acceptance from the gang leader Brother Sum (Chan) by extorting money from a barber in Pig Sty Alley. The residents rally round to thwart him.
When the Axe Gang decide to pay their own visit to the Alley, three residents unite to defeat a small army of hoodlums. It is the start of a war in which kung fu masters emerge from the anonymity of the crowd, Sing learns his true destiny and everything leads to a final showdown with the legendary killer known as The Beast (Leung).

Although it may be serviceable, the plot is the least significant element of Kung Fu Hustle and is merely an excuse to unleash a succession of action moves each more elaborate and impressive than the last. Gravity-defying wire-work, expert choreography and nimble stars allow Chow to create the kind of fights that take the breathe away as people are beaten, shot, chopped to pieces and blown to smithereens. The death and destruction is presented with such manic glee that it almost becomes inoffensive. Chases proceed at the speeded-up pace that reminds you of an old Benny Hill sketch, relentless pursuits have the fury and futility of a Road Runner cartoon, the Axe Gang shuffle and shimmy dancers from West Side Story and the result is part musical, part bloodbath.

The casual violence is also the cause of some truly hilarious moments that combine with the dark undertones of a Delicatessen. Audiences and critics often complain that too many films are content to follow a familiar formula.Kung Fu Hustle creates a world of its own.

Prod cos: Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia, Beijing Film Studio, China Film Group Corp Huayi Brothers & Taihe Film Investment Co, China Film Co-Production CoExec prods: Bill Borden, Zhao Hai Cheng, Wang Zhong Lei, David HungProds: Stephen Chow, Po Chu Chui, Jefrrey LauScr: Tsang Kan Cheong, Stephen Chow, Chan Man KuengCine: Poon Hang ShangEd: Angie LamProd des: Oliver WongMusic: Raymond WongMain cast: Stephen Chow, Yuen Wah, Leung Siu Lung, Chan Kwok Kwan, Yuen Qiu