It's always good to bow out leaving people wanting more. Yet if you were to tell us back in 2004 that “Kung Fu Hustle” would be the penultimate time we would see Stephen Chow in front of the camera then very few would believe you. His cinematic popularity was at its apex with international recognition coming through the release of “Shaolin Soccer” and this subsequent follow up. With only “CJ7” to come a few years later. Alongside “Shaolin Soccer” this madcap action-comedy both sends up and homages the martial arts cinema that Stephen Chow loves so much and serves as an ideal entry point to his world of Mo Lei Tau comedy.
Kung Fu Hustle is screening on New York Asian Film Festival
Sing (Stephen Chow) is a petty crook who aspires to part from the feared axe gang. Along with his sidekick Bone (Lam Chi-chung), he inadvertently stirs up trouble between the gang and the residents of Pig Sty Alley who live under the rule of the Landlord and Landlady (Yuen Wah and Yuen Qiu). As the residents reveal themselves to be martial arts masters, the gang turn to Sing to free Beast (Bruce Liang) and take revenge. Yet Sing may not be all he appears as has abilities that are unknown to himself and as he slowly finds his conscience once more, he may yet prove to be the savior he once dreamed he could be.
Stephen Chow's affection for martial arts cinema is exemplified in the casting. Yuen Wah as the Landlord had appeared in several earlier of his movies, playing his father in “Legend of the Dragon” and a crazed gangster in “Magnificent Scoundrels”. Best known for his villainous roles alongside Sammo Hung in “Eastern Condors” etc and as a stuntman in the Bruce Lee era, he had proven his comedic talents before and so is of little surprise that he gets to excel here. He makes for a superb double act with Yuen Qiu who found herself returning to the screen after a 19-year absence. They steal the show with Yuen Qiu especially during a revelation with hairnet in place, cigarette drooping from the side. It's a tour de force of character acting. Another one returning to the screen was Bruce Liang, appearing as the central villain Beast. Initially looking decrepit, he is in fact a lethal killing machine. This trio of performers demonstrate one of Chow's key strengths as a director in that he is willing to share the limelight with others and allow them to generate laughs.
If there is a weakness in the casting, then it is that of his sidekick and love interest, neither of which is the fault of the performers. Eva Huang gets no dialogue as Fong, instead relying on gesture to express emotion. There is nothing wrong with her performance as such, it's just her character is just “there”. Chow had previously given the likes of Karen Mok, Zhou Wei etc, strong presences that join in the mayhem. Fong's innocence is emphasized in comparison to the skullduggery going on around her with all the others having material interests to gain but doesn't give her much to do. As the put-upon sidekick Bone, Lam Chi-chung gets some good moments. It's just unfortunate that for so many years this has been played by Ng Man-tat who excelled in the part. If you have not seen a Stephen Chow movie before then it will be of no consequence, it's only if you have that you will recognize this aspect.
Chow is in his element here. Both from a physical aspect, as he gets to show off his martial skills and also with his comical range that veers from slapstick to deadpan depending on what the scene requires. His character here is also much closer to the archetypical Chow role. Fast talking, devious, ambitious, and incredibly vain brought to redemption through love. It can make him unlikable at the start of the feature and especially here where his redemption is possibly not as clear cut in the journey and just seems to happen rather swiftly. He has a tremendous presence, and it is hard not to laugh at some of the situations that present themselves and is quite prepared to make himself the punchline when required.
The excellent use of special effects are combined with the imaginative choreography of Yuen Woo-ping to create a live action cartoon that at times equals the best of any Looney Tune short. There is a clear affection to the world that has been created with Pig Sty alley despite the grimness of the surface appearance, demonstrating the communal spirit that we see in the likes of “The House of 72 Tenants”. The Axe Gang could be from any classic era martial arts movie and the Harpists are a staple of any wuxia fiction where musical instruments are as deadly as the blade. The comedy is well timed, with a roadrunner sequence the overall highlight. Action and comedy is a tricky mix to get right with one usually dominating over the other, but Chow gets the combination just right, allowing moments of genuine danger to be interposed amongst the humor. Even smaller characters get moments, Coolie and the Tailor get to show off unexpected martial arts skills and who doesn't love a random dance sequence that comes out of nowhere!
The transition of Stephen Chow from comedy performer to respected director takes another step forward with “Kung Fu Hustle”. Blending superb action with some inspired comedy, it elevates the sometime maligned kung fu comedy genre to a new level. Making fun of the absurdities but with affection, this is a highlight of Stephen Chow's career and one of the best action comedies you will see.
Well said this is a great classic kung fu comedy! Any sequel?