Kung
Fu Hustle (***)
review by Jon
Waterman
In 1940s China, ruthless gangs rule the streets. The most
vicious and powerful, the axe gang, is so cold-blooded that
they celebrate their victories with an oft-practiced choreographed
dance routine. The only place that’s safe from their
tyranny is in the slums where everyone is too poor to be exploited
and extorted. However that all changes after a chance encounter
with a poser auditioning to be in the axe gang reveals some
of the top martial arts masters living in the town. Now, the
axe gang wants them dead so that they can continue their uncontested
rule of the city.
Writer/director/star Stephen Chow (“Shaolin Soccer”)
delivers one of the most offbeat films of the year. He gracefully
combines and effectively blends comedy with what have to be
called the best action scenes so far this year (and probably
will remain on top for the rest of it) sprinkled lightly with
drama. The love story element could have been left alone and
the flashback reminders were completely unwanted. But when
the movie is on, it’s on.
The camera work is fluid and dynamic and shows how great an
action sequence can be if you let it play out instead of cutting
it to shreds in order to fake adrenaline. For the most part,
slow motion is used well and at appropriate times, but the
frequency of use is a little overbearing. The fights are incredible
if only for the fresh spin given to them. We’ve all seen
wire-fu by now, but mix in characters with supernatural abilities
and you get some scenes that are truly unpredictable and a
total blast to watch.
The visual effects look a little off, but this is one of those
rare instances where I don’t mind. It’s supposed
to look awkward and unrealistic. Without that feel, the rubbery
characters and their supernatural abilities would come off
as unrealistic and pathetic. By not hiding the CG or trying
to apply the normal laws of physics to the characters, it’s
a lot easier to let go and enjoy the goofiness of it all.
The intriguing characters help flesh out a movie that would
otherwise just be a huge dose of satisfying eye-candy. It may
not be the funniest movie in the world, but it should get most
everyone laughing at least once. The comedy is just the mortar
that holds the brick wall action movie together. It keeps you
interested and smiling during the down parts, but the real
substance belongs to the amazing fight sequences. Forget “Scooby-Doo,” this
is as close to a live-action cartoon you’ll see.
respond to jon@filmbrats.com
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