Kung fu (2004)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Stephen Chow

Writers:

Stephen Chow (writer)
Xin Huo (writer)

Release Date:

22 April 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Fantasy

Tagline:

A new comedy unlike anything you have seen before

Plot:

In Shanghai, China in the 1940s, a wannabe gangster aspires to join the notorious "Axe Gang" while residents of a housing complex exhibit extraordinary powers in defending their turf.

Plot Keywords:

Axe | Gang | Kung Fu | 1940s | China

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 18 wins & 27 nominations

Cast

Stephen Chow	...	Sing
Xiaogang Feng	...	Crocodile Gang Boss (as Feng Xiao Gang)
Wah Yuen	...	Landlord
Zhi Hua Dong	...	Donut
Kwok-Kwan Chan	...	Brother Sum (as Danny Chan)
Chi Chung Lam	...	Bone (Sing's Sidekick) (as Lam Tze Chung)
Siu-Lung Leung	...	The Beast
Qiu Yuen	...	Landlady
Kai Man Tin	...	Axe Gang Advisor
Kang Xi Jia	...	Harpist #1
Hak On Fung	...	Harpist #2
Shengyi Huang	...	Fong
Suet Lam	...	Axe Gang Vice General
Cheung-Yan Yuen	...	Beggar (as Cheng Yan Yuen)
Chi Ling Chiu	...	Tailor

Also Known As:

Gong fu (Hong Kong: Mandarin title)
Kung Fu Hustle (International: English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for sequences of strong stylized action and violence.

Runtime:

95 min | Philippines:99 min

Country:

China | Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese | Mandarin

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Switzerland:16 (canton of Zurich) | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | Malaysia:18PL | Spain:7 | Iceland:16 | Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:15 | Australia:M (cut) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (British Columbia/Ontario) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:18A (Manitoba) | Finland:K-15 | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:15A | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R | Brazil:14 | Peru:14 | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Shanghai, China

Company:

Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia

Trivia:

Surpassed Siu lam juk kau (2001) (Shaolin Soccer) in February 2005 to become the highest-grossing Hong Kong-made movie in Hong Kong.

Goofs:

Continuity: After Brother Sum has covered the mother and child in fuel the mother's hair drapes down her face and covers her forehead. In the following shot when Coolie catches the lighter, her hair is combed back out of her face.

Quotes:

The Beast: What is the name of your technique?
Sing: You wanna learn? I will teach you!

Movie Connections:

References Raging Bull (1980)

Soundtrack:

My Dream Lover

Potential Cult Film

I liked Shaolin Soccer, it was full of laughs and Stephen Chow has done it again with Kung Fu Hustle. It's not in the same vein as Shaolin Soccer and it is not a belly full of laughs, but it certainly emphasised his love of action movies especially Martial Art movies. The film pays homage to all those Hong Kong Martial Arts Serials, Bruce Lee and the action genre in general. 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. The fight scenes were pretty good, especially at the start with the three masters fighting the Axe Gang. 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.