Kung Fu Hustle

To this day, Kung Fu Hustle is by far one of the most well known Chinese comedies in America, and no matter how many times one watches it, the slapstick humor of this movie never seems to get old. It is obvious to many that this movie is a parody based on numerous Chinese and American movies, and repeatedly makes fun of both cultures. Though many of the jokes and references may be lost in translation as well as to the movie's non-Chinese or non-Chinese influenced audience. Unlike Ang Lee and Zhang Yimou, Stephen Chow was not well known in America before the release of this movie, even though he had been making movies for well over a decade before Kung Fu Hustle's release. However, even with this his movie still made near the same amount as Hero, close to $100 million, which is rare for a foreign non-English feature.

Just like many of his previous movies, Stephen Chow both directs and acts in this movie. He plays the character of Sing, a poor young man who, after learning in childhood that good guys always finish last, wants to join the Axe Gang in order to become a "bad guy." He eventually gains the attention of the Axe Gang when he picks a fight in Pig Sty Alley claiming that he and his friend are members of the gang. However, unaffected by the gang's ruling, the members of the impoverished tenement fight back and through their dispute find a way to piss off the Axe Gang. A battle ensues between them, and eventually a mentally disturbed Kung Fu master is enlisted by the leader of the Axe Gang to finish off the Landlady and Landlord, who are also well versed in the art of Kung Fu. Although they are not the only people who are blessed with these gifts. Three other tenants of Pig Sty Alley also studied at various Kung Fu schools, as well as Sing, who learned from an overly priced paperback book that he purchased from a beggar when he was a child. Of course, taking from traditional Kung Fu and martial arts movies, Sing does not realize that he has these powers until the most crucial part of the movie where all hope seems lost. In the end, Beast, the bad guy, ends up taking Sing as his master and everyone lives happily ever after.

As I stated before, this movie parodies many aspects of American and Chinese films. Take for example Kill Bill and the The Matrix, as well as various Chinese martial arts movies (I would name of a few of the Chinese movies that were parodied in this movie as well, however, unfortunately I cannot remember the Chinese titles to them). Kung Fu Hustle even briefly plays homage to its predecessor Shaolin Soccer. In a very exaggerated and humorous way, Stephen Chow brings together elements of Hong Kong cinema with the over the top and artistic western portrayal of martial arts together, resulting in an immediate success in both countries. To me, this film seems to have more in common with other Hong Kong movies and humor than certain big budget movies from mainland China. However, I am aware that many people in America may believe both types of movies to be one in the same. Therefore, with this film even those who are not aware of the difference between the two will still find humor in the parody of martial arts action sequences, although may lose some of the idioms and references that only those who are knowledgeable about Hong Kong culture and cinema immediately catch.

Although not my favorite of the Stephen Chow collection, I still really enjoyed this movie. The action, humor, and characters by all means keep the viewer's attention. I am glad that this movie made such a huge splash over here in America. It certainly opened up the doors for more Hong Kong cinema to make its way over here. Or at least one can hope that this much is true.