Kung Fu Hustle

Reviewed by Handol Kim

Hong Kong enfant terrible Stephen Chow's follow-up to cross-over sleeper hit Shaolin Soccer is a very funny and highly enjoyable film. Hustle reprises Chow as a loser who ultimately triumphs through the magic of powerful Kung-fu.

Many of the same cast members from Soccer join Chow as he paints a vivid and funny but heart-warming picture of a poor slum ruled by a fat, chain-smoking landlady with curlers in her hair, and her skinny, hen-pecked but lusty husband. Of course, things are not what they seem on the surface, as this seemingly cowardly couple are in truth powerful Kungfu masters whose powers only surface when they are pushed to breaking by the Axe Gang.

It's story of rag-tag losers - but ultimately noble poor folks just trying to make their way in life and not be bullied by criminals. It is also the story of the redemption of Chow's character, Sing, a petty criminal wannabee, who ultimately morphs into the ultimate Kungfu master.

Chow blatantly rips icongraphy from various film sources, ie. the top-hatted gang members evoke not-so-subtle references to Scorcese's Bill in Gangs of New York, while shades of the Matrix are in full display, ie. Sing's ascension to becoming the chosen one. Yet, there are shades of Chow's deft touch in his physical comedy, the subplot of lost childhood dreams and innocence - and most wonderfully - his tender portrayal of the poor folk of Pig Sty Alley - and each one of their personal indiosynchrasies. The scene where Rabbit-tooth Jane runs out of the tailor shops is so over-the-top that it works - unity is maintained and in Chow's Pig Sty Alley - the comedy of the exposed top-ass of the local hairdresser works - and works brilliantly.

Of course, there is the CGI-enabled hyper Kungfu - and it looks fine. Fight choreography is done by Yuen Wo Ping of the Matrix fame - but action aside, it is the images of these unlikely kungfu masters - really iconic physical characters - nay, even archteypes - engaged in major feats of Kungfu superheroism that really makes the movie.

Chow's hand behind the camera this time is more mature and he experiments and by-and-large pulls it off. Kungfu Hustle is a fresh and entertaining movie with a great look - with action and laughs for all. Highly recommend it.