Kung fu
Tags: comedy, murder, cult, violence, flashback, absurd, psychedelic, action, philosophical, romantic, entertaining

Plot synopsis:
Turmoil grips Shanghai in the 1940s. Various gangs vie for power, the most feared of which is The Axe Gang, led by the infamous Brother Sum and aptly named after its weapon of choice. In the absence of law enforcement, people can live peacefully only in poor areas which do not appeal to the gangs. An example is Pig Sty Alley, a tenement home to people of various trades, run by a lecherous landlord and his domineering wife. One day, two troublemakers, Sing and Bone, come to the alley impersonating members of the Axe Gang in order to gain respect. Their plan fails miserably, and Sing's antics attract the real gang to the scene. In the massive brawl that ensues, more than fifty gangsters are defeated by three tenants who are actually powerful martial arts masters: Coolie, Master of the "Twelve Kicks;" Tailor, master of the "Iron Fist;" and Donut, master of the "Hexagon Staff."After the fight, Sing and Bone are apprehended by Brother Sum for causing trouble and publicly humiliating the Axe Gang. The two narrowly escape death when Sing quickly picks the locks on the chains with which they are bound. Sing asks Sum to make himself and Bone members of the Axe Gang. Impressed with his skill at lockpicking, Sum tells them that if they kill just one person, he will allow them to join the gang. The next day the duo return to Pig Sty Alley to murder the Landlady, but fail comically due to ineptitude. The two part ways and narrowly escape from the furious Landlady. Sing is badly injured and hides in a traffic control pulpit, where his injuries spontaneously heal. During this convalescence he unconsciously strikes the steel sides of the pulpit, leaving deep impressions of his hands. After he has fully recovered, he rejoins Bone, but is unable to explain his mysterious healing.Sing and Bone lament their failure on the streets, and Sing describes his childhood. He spent his meagre life savings to buy a Buddhist Palm manual from a beggar with the intention of "preserving world peace." He trained himself, but when he tried to defend a mute girl from bullies trying to steal her lollipop, he was beaten. Sing concludes that good guys never win and decides to become a criminal. After telling his story, the duo then steal ice cream from a street vendor, laughing maniacally as they escape from her on a tram.Angered by his gang's defeat, Brother Sum hires the Harpists, a pair of skilled assassins who fight using a magical Guqin. They strike Pig Sty Alley at night as Coolie, Tailor and Donut are preparing to depart, having been evicted for antagonizing the gang. The three are quickly overwhelmed, prompting the Landlord and Landlady, revealed to be Kung fu masters of even greater prowess, to intervene. Although the killers and the Axe Gang are driven off, the three evictees suffer fatal injuries: Coolie is decapitated, Tailor dies of stab wounds, and Donut dies of blunt-force trauma. The Landlord and Landlady evacuate Pig Sty Alley out of concern for their tenants' safety.The following day, after being humiliated and pummeled by a clerk he had previously antagonized, Sing mugs the female ice cream vendor from the earlier scene. She is revealed to be the mute girl from his childhood whom he had vainly tried to defend. He recognizes the old lollipop she offers him as a token of her gratitude, but becomes upset, rebuffing her and berating Bone. In exasperation, he drives Bone away and is picked up by members of the Axe Gang. Brother Sum, having earlier witnessed Sing's ability to quickly pick locks, instructs him to sneak into a mental asylum to free The Beast, a mercenary rumored to be the most dangerous person alive.The Beast is freed and brought over to the Axe Gang headquarters behind a casino. However, his flippant attitude and sloppy appearance puzzles Sum and his men. Soon, they are ultimately convinced when The Beast fires a gun point-blank at his own head then stops the bullet between two fingers. The Beast, however, loses interest in Sum, and approaches the Landlord and Landlady, who have come to Sum's casino to deal with him and his gang. The three masters engage one another, and although initially overcome, the Landlady is able to subdue The Beast by breaking the top off a giant funeral bell and using it as a megaphone to amplify her sonic technique, the Lion's Roar. The Beast, injured, pretends to surrender, but then attempts to stab his opponents with poisoned barbs. Although he fails, the Landlord and Landlady are forced to lock their bodies with his to counter his attack, and all three become unable to move. Sum orders Sing to kill the Landlady and Landlord, but feeling reformed, Sing beats away Sum and hits The Beast instead. Enraged, The Beast breaks free of the joint-lock and pummels Sing. Fortunately, Sing is spirited away by the Landlord and Landlady when The Beast's back is turned. The Beast, annoyed by his complaints, casually kills Sum, and gives chase.At Pig Sty Alley, Sing, while wrapped head-to-toe in bandages and treated with Chinese medicine, undergoes a metamorphosis. He quickly recovers from his wounds, and his latent potential as a "natural-born Kung Fu genius" is realized. He engages the Axe Gang and The Beast, fending off the gangsters with ease. However The Beast puts up a fight, and his Toad Technique sends Sing rocketing into the sky. As he falls back to Earth, Sing recalls the Buddhist Palm, and delivers a blow that knocks The Beast flat and leaves a huge, hand-shaped crater in the ground. The Beast again pretends to surrender, but when Sing relents, The Beast tries to stab him with his poisoned barb, just as he had tried to stab the Landlord and Landlady. Sing calmly performs another Buddhist Palm technique, leaving a three-story hole in the wall of the tenement, although he intentionally avoids hitting The Beast. Stunned, The Beast remains immobile while Sing relieves him of his weapon. The Beast, stammering, asks Sing what sort of technique he had just performed - Sing offers to teach him, and, weeping, The Beast kneels at his feet and admits the battle is over, Sing victorious.Some time later, Sing and Bone open a candy store. When the mute ice cream vendor walks by, Sing goes out to meet her. The two see each other as their childhood selves, and run happily into the shop while some people of Pig Sty Alley, including the Landlord and Landlady are shown as normal citizens. Outside, the same beggar who sold Sing the Buddhist Palm manual offers a selection of martial arts manuals to a boy eating a lollipop.

Review: Chow's comedic timing gets better and better with every movie he makes, and while his films are depending more and more on CGI these days, and makes this movie much more a fantasy kung fu film than a traditional one, it hardly detracts from the enjoyable experience.
Kung Fu Hustle not only reminds us of Chow's terrific comedic timing, it introduces us to his stunning visual eye and exhilarating action direction.
When the scene is funny you appreciate the comedy, when it switches gears to action you are blown away by the terrific sequences, when it switches to melodrama you are on the edge of your seat awaiting character responses, and when they're all fused together you do exactly what Chow is hoping you'll do.
Kung Fu Hustle tells the story of Sing, a wannabe gangster attempting to join the famous Axe Gang (who during some of the early scenes seem to spoof Gangs of New York - look for a firework visual quote), a legion of black suits responsible for a series of gruesome murders and complete dominance over a 1940s Hong Kong.
Stephen Chow shows respects to them, as the way he respects Bruce Lee. Above all, Kung-Fu Hustle is a movie with great hilarity, stunning CGI effects, fantastic Kung-Fu, and the lives of ordinary people.
Stephen Chow truly understands kung-fu, in my opinion, and it a sure thing that he crazies about it.It's not a common kung-fu movie like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" or "Hero".
Five minutes later, a nuclear strike warning in my town couldn't have torn me away from the screen, and it's been watched a dozen times since.There's always been a certain cheesiness to Hong Kong cinema, but on rare occasions a writer or director will directly tap a nerve and somehow weave that directly into the story: 'Kung Fu Hustle' is one of those films.
In the wildly imaginative and action-packed Kung Fu Hustle, petty thief Sing (Stephen Chow) aspires to be a ruthless gangster.
With jaw-dropping fight sequences by Yeun Wo Ping (famed action choreographer of Kill Bill Vol.1 & 2 and The Matrix) Kung Fu Hustle will blow you away!
So, it doesn't look good for A-xing at the beginning of the movie.It doesn't get any better, either a little later as we discover it is A-xing's goal is to become a member of the notorious Axe Gang, the fiercest, cruelest and most widespread gang of the city.One day when A-xing goes into a slum, Pig Cage Town, to do his usual extortion, he witnesses a real clash between two gangs: the Axe Gang is clearing out a local gang that has not shown allegiance to the Axe. A-xing realizes the slum residents -- including the plump landlady and her skinny and wimpy-looking husband -- have each turned into kung-fu masters to fight against the large group of gangs.A-xing then realizes this is a battle between good and evil and that he is called to choose one side.Stephen Chow continues his unique comedy style, twisting the slapstick jokes and reinterpreting them with his composed face.
I liked Shaolin Soccer, it was full of laughs and Stephen Chow has done it again with Kung Fu Hustle.
I would even say that Kung Fu Hustle is a more refined Shoalin Soccer in terms of storyline, action sequences and acting.The setting is great with some nice scenes of old Hong Kong and the way people used to live.
Okay, the story was predictable but that didn't take away the enjoyment one bit.Overall, it is a highly recommended movie to watch and I can't wait for his next film..
I'm not very familiar with the previous work of the director Stephen Chow except for Shaolin Soccer but this flick has everything to entertain any movie fan.Both the humor and the drama made me weep like a small girl, even thou I'm a guy almost at my 30's.
I can't tell you how many times where I've walked out of a martial arts - or even action - movie, and been immensely disappointed because the fighting and explosions were great, but the rest of it simply fell short.
So having said that, consider this a rave review of Stephen Chow's "Kung Fu Hustle".While the film itself was entertaining, the prospect of summarizing the scattered plot is not.
The two areas of town don't concern themselves with one another until a wannabe member of the Axe Gang, Sing (Stephen Chow) and his sidekick (Chi Chung Lam) poses as a member in the tenement to extort money, causing a series of events to occur in the tenement that wind up with most of the Axe Gang either killed or injured and Brother Sum (Kwok Kuen Chan), the leader of the gang, to do everything in his power to wreak revenge on both the tenement and its occupants, particularly those who act as its safeguards.As I mentioned earlier, there were a lot of parts that I found so funny that I was either finding myself almost lightheaded from laughing so hard, or finding myself obnoxious because I would struggle to recoup in order to read the subtitles in time to not miss anything.
So while the film was overall one of the funniest I've seen in recent memory, there were a couple of great moments of highly stylized action."Kung Fu Hustle" wasn't a perfect film by any means, but the criticisms I have about it are completely nitpicky.
The story of Kung-fu hustle itself is set in a sort of 70's China and people like me who love travelling and different cultures get a real feel of being in China.
I watched Kung-fu hustle a few times now and bought it on DVD and cant wait for his next movie.
This movie is a highly creative and stylized action film from the Hong Kong kung fu genre.A lot of wit, slapstick, visual effects, killer kung fu, and a unique plot offer an incredibly fun and entertaining film.
If the language was not so hard to master at such a point this far in my life, I would love to be able to learn it just to get the true dialogue they were speaking.From the background story of Sing to the rag tag collection of people living in Pig Sty Alley to the seemingly inept but fear in sheer numbers of the Axe Gang, this film has enough characters to satisfy anyone.
They each have a place in the movie and I don't think it would be the same without them.The story, cinematography, the effects(at times obviously CG but they fit within the context of the film), the characters and even the music all make this a memorable viewing, enough to put this in my collection of films that I could watch over and over without growing tired of it.There is so much I actually enjoyed of this film, I would love to dig deeper into the career of Stephen Chow.
I had not heard of him before this viewing, but I would like to see if his other films were as entertaining.If you like movies that have martial arts, enough action and comedy to spare with a story strong enough to hold it all together, I would recommend you catch this movie.
This movie has everything--comedy, drama, pathos, incredible action, slapstick, great acting, a great story, wildly inventive absurdity, actual thematic threads (a long gone element in US films), moments of sheer poetry, and genuine heart.
If Chow had become the US star he should have a couple of years ago, Americans would have lined up for Hustle even if they had never seen a kung fu movie in their lives.
Note the chain smoking landlady and the song and dance routines that on the surface seem ludicrous but add bonus comedy value as you know someone is about to have their teeth cut out or met with the 'Hand of God'- a brilliant scene that ends the film.Another worthy attempt by Mr Chow, creating 95 minutes of well thought (and fought) out, thoughtless action!
We're presented with lots of genuine comic scenes and I liked how Chow used many classic films as reference source (e.g. The Shining, Casino etc).In terms of performances, 'Kung Fu' belongs to the Qiu Yuen, Wah Yuen and Stephen Chow.
To Stephen Chow's credit, it feels totally original, and you find yourself as you're watching the movie eagerly waiting for the next bit of insane craziness he's going to throw on to the screen.This movie pokes fun at the earnestness of recent films in the genre, like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "Hero," and "House of Flying Daggers." Nothing is taken seriously here, and thank God for that.
Because of the action and good sound this is best seen on the big screen, but if you can't see it on the big screen, just make sure you see it :-) Good music, good humour, big characters, good choreography, plenty of surprises and a story set at a fun pace.The people who made this used many of their own ideas, not something you see that often these days in mainstream cinema and that is why I found this so refreshing.
If you've seen Shaolin Soccer (or earlier films like God of Cookery), you may have scratched your head at the bizarre references in Chow's movies.
This is a normal man's dream of Super Gongfu Hero, it's a real hero's story in true-life.We are personally on the scene of movie world,you can feel the happiness or the sadness of Chow& hits friend.
Comedy, martial art action and lots of fun with a splendid Stephen Chow.
This amusing film deals about a a pair small delinquents named Sing(Stephen Chow) and his sidekick Bone(Chun) in Shanghai during the 1940s.Sing wishes unite with Axe gang led by heinous criminal Brother Sun(Chan).A slum named Pig Sty Alley is the solely location where the Axes band don't extort but the inhabitants are hapless and poor.The slum is ruled by a loud-mouthed landlady(Qiu Yen) with an apparently feeble husband.The wannabe mobsters,Sing and Bone,attempt swindle a barber when the authentic Axe gangster appear in Pig slum.Them,it results to be that various Kung Fu experts with breathtaking strength are living into slum and an incredible fighting take place.The Axes gang leader contract a magician violinists fighters and an obnoxious assassin which break out from the prison for eliminate the slum rebels.And Sing spontaneously decides save the day,turning a extraordinary transformation.This entertaining film displays noisy action,slapstick comedy,tongue in check,spectacular martial art struggles and is pretty bemusing.Stephen Chow- combining his facet of actor and director-introduce his comedy talent and hilarious moments here and there,developing his trademark,creating parodies along with hard-hitting Kung-Fu scenes.He frequently utilizes Chinese name ¨Sing¨ in his films.Stephen Chow collaborated with another legendary Kung Fu choreographer,Yuen Wo Ping,famous since '70's for his Hong Kong movies and nowadays working in Hollywood(Matrix ,among others).The overwhelming fighting and sensational action scenes are made by cables and wires and by computer generator,as well.Besides appear,one of the most notorious experts, Sammo Hung(Martial law) as additional action choreographer.The supporting cast is frankly magnificent,special mention for Qiu Yen,as the landlady,she apprenticed Chinese martial art and Beijing-opera skills with Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung under the same master in her younger days and played as a girl wrestler saving Roger Moore in Bond 007¨The man with the golden gun(1974)¨,in order to add fat for the picture,she took a Japanese sumo fighter's diet(like Renée Zeelweger for Bridget Jones).The motion picture is produced by Columbia Pictures Production Asia,Beijing film studio and China film group.Chow's creativity into comedy and Kung Fu action had been demonstrated with the successful¨Shaolin soccer¨,now with ¨Kung Fu¨going on to amuse viewers around the world .He's recently shooting the following the sequel with similar actors..
But as in all good comedy there is also a message.Talented director/writer (with Tsang Kan Cheong)/star Stephen Chow has the whole concept of Kung Fu as entertainment down pat.
Overall the effects and fight scenes make the film very worthwhile and therefore highly recommendable.Overall Kong Fu Hustle is an incredible achievement in film making and everyone who is not afraid to see the Hong Kong action genre spoofed should definitely watch it.8/10.
Part action film, part love story, part loving homage, Hustle is a pitch-perfect example of the best that Hong Kong cinema has to offer, effortlessly mixing digital wizardry with old-school martial arts stunts while never skipping a comedic beat.
Bruce may have proved himself as a fighter but Stephen Chow proves himself as a creator and actor.Ultimately Kung Fu Hustle is a movie that you have to see.
Kung-Fu is an action-comedy, in many senses of the word, but that's not enough, it contains the utter height of "coolness" in a very Die Hardish sense, yet leaves you emotive, much like the first time you finished watching Episode I.
This movie is fantastic and extremely funny.It is a brilliant comedy because it's very funny.This is a parody to martial arts movies like Matrix reloaded.Stephen Chow is confirmed as a genius with this film and his previous film(Shaolin soccer)was excellent too.I went to the cinema to see this without waiting great thing but I took a great surprise.This is an extraordinary comedy(by my point of view)and I totally recommend this fantastic film,because movies like this deserve to be seen.I die to see Kung fu hustle 2 but I will have to wait.This is a great,fantastic and superb film.A must see.Rating : 10.
Absolutely cool movie with action filled comedy blended fight scenes .The stunt choreography is done to a level next to complete perfection .
Lee's review in the Chicago Reader will discuss the context of this movie in learned fashion for you, explaining how Chow puts ordinary everyday Chinese characters "back into a genre whose elements have degenerated into global cliché." I don't know that I appreciated all that, but I could see this would be huge fun for the intense kung fu fan, and I also could see the link Lee notes with Sergio Leone..
With some genuinely funny moments and some stunning visuals, I think you could find this deeply entertaining whether you're a fan of the genre or not.Don't go watch this film if you're looking for gritty, realistic fight scenes, because you'll be disappointed.
It is truly as fresh and new a movie that has been made in the action comedy genre.Stephen Chow has used himself effectively, not allowing his character to overshadow the movie.
Having given us a taster of his films with the amusing but bizarre "Shaolin Soccer", Chow goes well and truly overboard with "Kung Fu Hustle" which is possibly the most over-blown, chop-socky action film in existence but unlike some, this film is a great deal of fun.The film take place in 1940's China where the police are powerless to stop the vicious Axe Gang from ruling the city.
Let me just say that although story-telling isn't the strong point of martial arts movies, "Kung Fu Hustle" is one that bucks the trend.
Id like to thank Stephen chow for making such a great film!
The film blends action, comedy and even romance together while using cartoon like martial arts moves.
What makes this movie so great is that the movie combines good old-school kung fu action with excellent visual and special effects, and also a few action and chase sequences that look like they were ripped off of old Warner Brothers cartoons.
The visuals shine during these scenes, especially the chase between the landlady and the main character (Sing, played by the director/writer of the film, Stephen Chow).
There is a lot of slapstick and physical humor that makes up for the lack of jokes involving dialogue; so if you are the kind that does not laugh at a typical businessman beating down two wanna-be assassins or a guy throwing a knife at a woman, only to have it bounce back and stab him, then you are not going to find this movie as funny as other people would.Bottom Line: One of the best films in a very long time.
Stephen Chow managed to blend irreverance and poignancy, action and introspection, violence and comedy, satire and personal belief very, very well in Kung Fu Hustle.
Like chow's other films, the plot is a typical good guys must fight bad guys story, but the plot isn't what you'll remember.
Stephen Chow Sing Chi's Kung Fu Hustle may be the most satisfying film-going experience that Hong Kong film enthusiasts have dreamed for in recent years.
When there's action, you never want to blink for a second; when the action isn't on, there is always comedy, suspense, or complex drama to keep us involved.In my book, Stephen Chow in crafting Kung Fu Hustle has reached the peak of perfection in film-making.
I like especially the ones done by the tailor and the old man, and not to mention the fighting and action, everything you'd expect in a kung fu movie.
There are, however, several laugh out loud slapstick sequences in Kung Fu Hustle that comes as a nice surprise (the surprise being that it was actually funny, and reasonably inoffensive).The action choreography is first rate, the special effects are hugely imaginative, all in all the technical credits are above par for a Hong Kong film.The references to the Matrix are courtesy of great wire-kung fu fights choreographed by the inestimable Yuen Wo Ping.
Stephen Chow gives us a great movie once again after the funny Shoalin Soccer.
Kung Fu Hustle combines humor, creativity, imagination (WAY out the box when compared to most US movies) epic fight scenes and wonderful cinematography.
Kung Fu Hustle is a great mix of action cinematography and cartoon like special effects.
I feel like I do not need to see another fight or action scene in a movie ever again.
Many movies that mix martial arts with comedy fail to find a good balance between both styles and I don't like most of these attempts but this film here is one of the worst attempts to combine these two genres.