Kung fu
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Movie Reviews of Kung fu
Movie Review: Great Fun
Summary: 5 Stars
Shanghai, China, the 1930s. The Axe Gang is taking over the town but is not interested in the poor slums. This leaves the residents of Pig Sty Alley to deal with their overbearing Landlady. One day, Sing (Stephen Chow) and his sidekick, walk into the Alley and attempt to blackmail people there. When the residents of the tenement stand up to fight him, he reveals that he is part of the Axe Gang and signals for help. Gang members show up and the landlady and the tenement residents fight them off. The Axe Gang realizes that they have been called to help someone who is not a part of the gang, but Sing is desperate to become a member. Now that the gang and the residents of Pig Sty Alley have met, they can't back down from each other, fighting until one group is victorious. The leader of the Axe Gang realizes that he will not be able to fight them alone and brings in The Beast.
"Kung Fu Hustle", written and directed by the star, Stephen Chow, is a fun, exhilarating, fast-paced film, borrowing elements from and paying homage to many other genres. Chow is clearly a filmmaker who loves films; he seems like a kid in a candy store. Now that he can make a film, how many different types of things can he get into the story? "Hustle" combines all of these elements in a way that is fresh and exciting.
The opening sequence is a homage to police interrogation films and westerns. When the opposing sides face off on a dusty road, we are transported from Shanghai to the Wild West. The sky turns magenta and everybody faces off, preparing for a classic gun fight. This scene is very theatrical, comical and sets the tone for the remainder of the film. Of course, we aren't in the Old West and the leader of the Axe Gang uses an axe to prove his point and keep us firmly rooted in the world of kung-fu.
The story is a framework for Chow to throw each and every trick in the book at the audience. After he introduces the Axe Gang, we then meet the residents of Pig Sty Alley. Landlord walks through the shops, receiving tributes and terrorizing everyone in a jovial way. Until he meets up with his wife, Landlady, who terrorizes her husband. Everyone in the Alley appears perfectly normal until Sing shows up.
When the two groups meet, we learn that people have special skills that they hesitate to use, unless absolutely necessary. They will do anything to protect their lives and friends. This leads to a series of amusing, entertaining fights, in which their skills are comically enhanced by special effects. Chow deftly blends all of these elements together making them appear somehow natural. Amazing considering all of the special effects, cartoon style action and over the top acting. Once we have accepted that these things can happen in this universe, we can accept the behavior as it becomes more cartoonish and more outlandish.
The story, while slight, is effective at creating a character that we can root for. Chow's Sing is just a guy looking to join the Axe Gang, but as he witnesses their brutality, he seems more drawn to the people of Pig Sty Alley. He realizes that their efforts to use their powers, only when absolutely necessary, to defend themselves, is the more responsible course of action. Throughout the film, we see glimpses of a pivotal moment in his childhood; he saves a deaf mute girl from a bunch of bullies and buys a book about kung-fu from a street beggar. Later, we learn that Sing may be the Chosen One. To live up to this prophecy, he has to make some changes in his life.
All of these over-the-top, disparate elements combined together would normally create a mess of a film. In "Hustle", they come together to create a fun, enjoyable film that will hopefully spur filmmakers to come up with more creative ways to tell a story.
Movie Review: Funny, Exciting, and Extraordinary Tributes to Kung-hu Films
Summary: 5 Stars
Stephen Chow's follow-up to 'Shaolin Soccer' (which was virtually killed in US market) is totally different from 'Shaolin.' 'Kung-hu' is a comedy, sure it is, but the star/director Chow takes this martial arts very seriously, and the film itself gives more emphasis upon martial arts actions (including silly ones) than the parodies or sight gags. And look, the film is credited with TWO choreographers -- Sammo Hung and Yuen Wo Ping!
[THE STORY] is set in pre-Revolutiona China. The city is ruled by ruthless mobsters 'Axe Gang,' and now remember, they are really ruthless. Even though they dance like 'Cotton Club'-Meets-'Gangs of New York' style. And of course, they wield axes while dancing in the street.
Then our hero Sing (Chow) enters. He wants to join in the 'Axe Gangs,' and to prove his 'ability' as gangster (whatever it is), he tries to extort money from the locals living in the 'Pig Sty Alley.' What he didn't know was, the people are much, much more strong and resourceful than he expected.
The plot may sound rather pointless, and in fact it is. In short, it is about two wannabe gangsters, and the fights between gangsters and the residents of the 'Alley.' You see several references to other films, but the film's greatest merit is not them. It is kung-hu action.
[ACTIONS] For Stephen Chow shows unexpectedly exciting fight sequences between the unique characters -- assassins who use musical instruments like invisible swords (and this scene is very violent), the tailor and cook who fight like devil, the Landlord and Landlady, and The Beast ... yes, he fight like a beast, or a toad (literally).
[THE STAR] Stephen Chow as hero Sing displays considerable martial arts skills, especially in the finaly act which goes like the climax of 'Matrix Revolutions' -- and Chow is better than Keanu! -- but it is the extraordinary supporting actors that really are rivetting. The hen-pecked landlord by Yuen Wah (known as 'magnificient villain' in Hong Kong films) and his chain-smoking wife landlady by Yuen Qiu (coming back to screen after almost 30 years) are real scene stealer, always surprising us with their outrageous personalities. And wait for 'The Beast' by Leung Siu Lung (himself a major Kung-hu star during the 70s, and comes back to movie after 15 year hietus) whose initial appearance as a bald and plump middle-aged is very deceptive. And look for Yeun Cheung-Yan (as a suspicious-looking seller of 'kung-hu manuals'), brother to Yuen Woo Ping and action choreographer of 'Charlie's Angles.'
The film may not as funny (and silly) as 'Shaolin Soccer' and if so, that's because Stephen Chow really respects the art of kung-hu and its masters. It is still a comedy, and it is often funny, but perhaps you should see it as an action film -- with ridiculously exaggerated fight styles based on the traditional kung-hu. So, my advice: Don't think, just feel, and enjoy yourself.
Movie Review: A outrageously funny and odd epic of kung fu and cartoon
Summary: 5 Stars
With the cheesy but nonetheless great nod to Looney Tunes, complete with a splatter against the giant billboard; surprising violence that evokes Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill"; a very stupid plot that only sets up great action sequences one after another; and the traditional video-game showdowns of heroes versus villians, "Kung Fu Hustle" is stupendously silly but fun, fun, fun!
Directed by Stephen Chow, this movie is a great crowd-pleasure that captures the logic-reducing entertainment of kung-fu and chopsocky movies from the 70's and 80's. It is also enhanched by the combination of slapstick cartoon comedy and of CGI effects that have replaced wires. What you get it is a fantastic, quirky movie that is paradoxically trashy and pure fun at the same time. Knowing what to expect before viewing it should be underway, as it is a movie that not only defies gravity but the reasoning power of a logical brain. Folks, the story doesn't serve the characters to develop, but to thrust them into situations where they can demonstrate their powers and show it throughout outrageous fights, choreographed with perfection and finesse that you cannot help but drop your jaw, even if you have become numb and cynical over the years of post-"Matrix", post-"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". In other words, not exactly a calibre to be nominated for this year's Oscar's "Best International Movie" award, but nonetheless should be and should also win because it is perfection. Like hamburger, instead of a five-star Texas steak, but the most delicious hamburger you'd ever had. It knows its stupid, but it is earnest, loving and delicate. This is kind of a film that you should appreciate for what it really is. However, it is not just your conventional kung-fu movie. Aside from the chaos and cartoon outlandishness that makes the film over-the-top and giddily energized to the max, there is an element of an operatic musical movie during its fight sequences because of the eloquence of the soundtrack and how it accompanies the moves of the characters so rightly, and sprinkles of an engaging and heartfelt, albeit predictable, romance halfway throughout the film.
Words does not do justice to the wonderment of seeing this film; just watch it, halt your brains, and enjoy. One of the best and enjoyable "stupid" movies in a very long time.
Movie Review: Comedy for the Ages? Um, yeah.
Summary: 5 Stars
Benny Hill. Road Runner. Tex Avery. Hee Haw. The honor roll of highbrow comedy? No. But the most obvious possible inspirations for Stephen Chow's great new flick, Kung Fu Hustle, you betcha.
I love this film. But I may have laughed so much it was dangerous. As I gasped for air, no doubt turning purple and falling over several times during this masterpiece, I kept trying to get myself to calm down a little. I truly want you to go see this great film, a.s.a.p., but remember, it is so insanely funny it may be hazardous to your health. (Possible treatment for this condition: Breath deeply, count thirty and think of the last Adam Sandler film you saw. Yeah, that would do it.)
Litmuswise, a few points. You must accept and smile at women who wear curlers 24/7, who beat up on their skinny husbands, and who smack the sundry citizen upside the head with a house shoe, to like this film. You have to think crushing bones and kicking people square in the jaw is, at least in theory, the very nucleus of great comic genius. And the sight of people running down the road at 80 miles an hour, Benny Hill style (but with CGI, natch) has to double you over in helpless paroxysms of laughter AT LEAST the first time it happens. If any of these pertain to you, then you very well may get the brilliance of this film.
Now, it's not all crude, rude and socially unacceptable. I don't want to give the game away, but the scene where Sing selects an opponent to square off with Mano y Mano from among the townsfolk is purest Keaton, as is the scene of his attempted assassination of Landlady. Astonishing, out of the box, cerebral visual gag-making at it's finest. Bravo!
Ten stars of ten. Someone said that the tiny things in this film work better than the blowout set pieces. I'm not sure I agree-- and we could quibble all day about which things in this film are small and which big-- but I like this comment simply because it may prompt people to take a closer look at the great SMALL things in this film.
But overall, and this can't be overemphasized, I think the whole thing works like a Swiss watch. Scene for scene, there isn't anything I would remove as flab or as a misfire. Chow makes good. REAL good. We are very lucky, indeed, to have him making films like this in our time.
Movie Review: Brilliantly transcends the genre
Summary: 5 Stars
I think Roger Ebert said it best by stating that Kung Fu Hustle (the latest from actor/director/screenwriter Stephen Chow) is a mix of Jackie Chan, Buster Keaton, Quentin Tarantino and Bugs Bunny. If that combination makes you laugh then you will undoubtably love this movie.
The beginning brilliantly sets up the antagonists by showing how ruthless and bloodthirsty they are before going to the beginning credits and having the Axe Gang then dance to the music. It's a wonderful beginning, showing the dichotomy of a ruthless gang that dances like they belong in a musical. Very funny.
When the movie begins in earnest, we are introduced to Pig Sty Alley where poor people are scrambling to live day by day. Stephen Chow populates his area with wonderful characters who are hillariously funny and different from each other. They all have motives, sometimes hidden, and it makes watching them quite humorous.
But what Kung Fu Hustle does best is play with the martial arts conventions. Like Wuxia films, the characters possess supernatural abilities to send swords flying by playing instruments and other plot spoiling devices. But unlike some Wuxia films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, they are taken to the extreme as a sort of satire of the genre while at the same time embracing everything wonderful about those films. The martial arts are spot on, having been done by the wonderful choreographer of The Matrix and Kill Bill Woo-ping Yuen. Yet unlike those films and again in touch with the style of the movie, the action is playful.
The violence is over the top, stylized with sequenes that remind us of the Looney Tunes cartoons. In fact, Stephen Chow incorporates a lot of homages to American Cinema with quotes in line with Spider Man and the Matrix and even a sound sampling from the Matrix in a couple scenes. It's funny to catch.
Overall a terrific film that incorporates Oriental cinema with Western cinema. Brilliantly shot, written and acted, it successfully merges many totally disparate genres into a movie that satirizes, makes homages to, and transcends the martial arts genres. Absolutely wonderful a must see for all fans.