re:mote voices

Title:Kung Fu Hustle [Gong Fu]
Cast: Stephen Chow, Wah Yuen, Qiu Yuen, Kwok Kuen Chan, Hsiao Liang, Zhi Hua Dong
Director: Stephen Chow

After the success of Stephen Chow’s Shaolin Soccer, we have his follow up Kung Fu Hustle. It is interesting that Kung Fu Hustle is showing in the UK at the same time as the Swedish film Evil; given that they have a certain thematic parallel. Both featuring a lead character, that reacts to event in their life by becoming “evil”.

As a child Chow’s character wanted to be a hero, but when he stood up he was quickly knocked down. He decides that if he became an evil gangster then he will get respect. Unfortunately when he poses as a member of a feared gang he picks on a community where martial art masters have been hiding incognito. Even more unfortunately real gang members happen to be passing and are drawn into events. Thus starts a feud between the residents of Pig Sty Villas and the Axe Gang, with Chow caught between them, faced with good and evil, and what choice he should make,

Like Shaolin Soccer, Kung Fu Hustle is an over the top martial arts film, going even further to take the action to a more carton like level. Mimicking films like Crouching Tiger in a consciously parodic fashion. Certain scenes remind of the Matrix Reloaded, without the over reliance on computer graphics – though they certainly make use of them.

Chow’s film is a striking piece of cinema – taking state of the art special effects to push the limits of slapstick comedy, while keeping an eye on being able to produce a convincing final product. Part of that is his eye for detail, visually and sonically, adding up to create the finished picture – a total and gleeful piece of cinema. Kung Fu Hustle is an outrageous comedy absurd and excessive, entirely over the top, and just damn good fun with that.