Kung Fu Hustle

Does for the kung fu genre what Shaun of the Dead did for the zombie flick. Unfortunately, unlike Shaun, Kung Fu Hustle doesn't hit its target all the time. However, the fight scenes are terrific - they mix in the occasional bit of humour, but for the most part, they're as impressive as you'd expect to find in any "serious" martial arts movie. When writer/director/star Chow goes for pure comedy, the results can vary. Notably, a chase scene and another scene involving knives and snakes are examples of slapstick comedy done to perfection, but at other times the jokes just didn't fly for me. Overall, a pretty entertaining flick, but I can't give it as high a score as the critics did. My grade: B-

Synopsis: In Shanghai in the '30s, times are dangerous and gangs rule the streets. The most notorious of these, the Axes, strike fear into the hearts of honest citizens and inspire admiration in one young wannabe. One day, in a slum on the outskirts of town, he wreaks havoc when he recklessly poses as an Axe member and causes a veritable riot between the real gang members and the denizens of a housing project who just so happen to be strangely well versed in the art of kung fu. (via Yahoo)

Director: Stephen Chow (Shaolin Soccer)
Writers: Stephen Chow (Shaolin Soccer), Tsang Kan Cheong, Xin Huo (Shower), Chan Man Keung
Stars: Stephen Chow (Shaolin Soccer), Wah Yuen (Supercop), Qiu Yuen, Kwok Kuen Chan (Shaolin Soccer), Hsiao Liang (Legend of a Fighter), Zhi Hua Dong

Useless Trivia: The actors who played the landlord and landlady both had bit parts in recognizable 70s movies. Wah Yuen was an uncredited tournament fighter in Enter the Dragon. Qui Yuen also had an uncredited role in the Bond flick, The Man With the Golden Gun.