Kung Fu Hustle
The single words that I could use to describe Kung Fu Hustle are: surreal, funny, weird, neat, cartoonish. At times the films feels like it wants to be this great serious epic, and when that is happening, I sense cultural touchstones with great meaning slipping below my radar faster than a Dennis Miller monologue interpreted in sign language. At other times (fewer than I would have liked), Kung Fu Hustle feels like it wants to be a lighthearted spoof or comedy about the kung fu genre. Like good spoofs, it makes itself a good example of the medium it is lampooning, while still managing to poke holes in the image. Like bad spoofs, it occasionally trips over its good ideas and loses itself in its own blend, and rambles unnecessarily.
Director/star Stephen Chow (Shaolin Soccer) has created an interesting and weird world with (frankly) third rate but unapologetic CG effects that actually add to the visual charm of the piece. Some of his creations and characters feel well known and mythological, and others like a new and exciting Batman baddie; the effect is muddy but still watchable. An invulnerable old man contains more character in his feet than many of the others do in their entire retinue. The landlady is the clearest cut and most over the top character – you can’t go wrong watching what she is doing in a scene. Allegiances switch and morph, and occasionally it’s best just to let go and watch the show, without caring too much where the plot is going. The flip side of that is of course that it becomes harder to care about anyone; the end sequence is more awkwardly egotistical than triumphant or groovy. Maybe it’s a cultural thing; I was having much more fun before the dues ex machina.
I should warn filmgoers who were expecting a whole different style to the movie – yes, there is a brief dance sequence, not dwelled upon or repeated, so the “hustle” in the title would be better applied to the sense of “get moving” rather than actually dancing – the preview makes it look much more kooky wacky comedy musical than it is. Kung Fu – we’ve got, tons of it. Some of it is so over the top that it ceases to interest, because it’s no longer a ballet of physical ability but wires and smoke and mirrors. But man, the music is great!
I am glad I saw it, because my curiosity was slaked, but I can’t imagine watching it twice. The extreme fans in the theatre around me enjoyed themselves but “it’s no Shaolin Soccer,” so perhaps a double feature of Chow is in order on the couch with a tub of lo mein. I wouldn’t spend too much more on it.
MPAA Rating R-strong stylized action & violence
Release date 4/22/05
Time in minutes 95
Director Stephen Chow
Studio Sony Pictures Classics
