Kung Fu Hustle is an instant kung fu classic (5 out of 5). If you wanted to only watch one kung fu movie in your life, I would call you a fool and list a dozen kung fu movies for you to watch, but Kung Fu Hustle would be on that list. Kung Fu Hustle is a traditional kung fu movie mixing hard hitting martial arts, low-brow humor, and mythical legends. Movies like this keep you entertained the whole way through.
This movie was wierd, but there's still a lot to like about it. The legendary kung fu moves like the Lion's Roar, the Toad Style, and the Buddhist Palm really stood out to me. Another great assest of this movie were the costumes. The outfits worn by the Fated Lovers when they first met the #1 killer, The Beast, looked as if they were taken right out of a classic 70's kung fu fight fest. Of course, the Axe Gang was awesome.
Kung Fu Hustle borrowed heavily from old kung fu movies, but there will be many movies in the future that borrow from it in return. The movie flowed well and was outrageous in parts. So, many moments stuck out, begging to be remembered. If you don't mind a little violence and language, see this movie. It has a happy ending and is fun all the way through.
Article comments
1 - HW Saxton
Glad you thought this was great. I want
to see this soon. I saw a special last
week on the making of it and all of the
special FX combined with the C.G.I was
just f'ing wild!!!
It looked an homage to the classic Kung
Fu films of the early 70's in spots but
done with even more style than Crouching
Tiger,Hero,House Of Flying Daggers,etc.
There is a great documentary called "Red
Trousers" about the making of films like
these and the stuntmen that do them.It's
narrated by Robin Shou and if you like
these flicks it's a must see for fans of
Hong Kong cinema.
2 - Nicholas
I'll have to check out the documentary. That makes me think of a line from this movies.
At one point, a father talking about their son to his mother mentions that he may one day grow up to be a doctor or a lawyer. The mother replies, thar no, he more likely would be a stuntman.
The characters in this movie stood out more than characters in most kung fu movies.
3 - Screen Rant
I saw this at Sundance and loved it. I reviewed it on my site.
Vic
4 - Joe
How 'bout a link to your review? I loved this movie, too. How many hidden tributes do you think there were? Am I the only one who thought the hallway to the Beast's cell running with blood was a tribute to Kubrick's the Shining?
5 - Screen Rant
Oh, sorry!
Review of Kung Fu Hustle.
Vic
6 - Screen Rant
BTW, yeah, that was of course right from "The Shining". I'm sure there was lots more in there, including of course the "100 Smiths" fight scene from "Matrix Reloaded".
Vic
7 - Nicholas
Great review Vic. I wish we were all as lucky as you to get to see the film at Sundance.
8 - Screen Rant
Eh, no biggie. You can see it NOW at a theater near you. ;-)
Vic
9 - Nicholas
True, it was actually so good that I want to see it a second time.
10 - Joe
The chase scene with Sing and the Landlady was equal parts Coyote/Roadrunner and Matrix Reloaded. To wit: the Landlady turning in slow-mo as she flies over the truck. The undisturbed cigarette dangling from her lip the whole time was priceless!
11 - Chris Beaumont
What an absolutely absurd film! I loved every second of it.
12 - richard
I thought commercials for McDonalds were better than this nonsense!