The unusually titled “Kung Fu Hustle” comes to the US from Hong Kong, where it was somewhat of a sensation. Actually, it turns out that it was one of the top growing Hong Films of all time. It was written, directed and stars Stephen Chow, who was also behind the hysterically funny “Shaolin Soccer” a few years back. When I had first heard the premise of “Shaolin Soccer”, which involved a martial arts master who becomes a soccer player, I kind of rolled my eyes and put it aside. I knew I was going to watch it eventually or at least pass it on for someone else to review. As it turns out, my wife and I had to drive out to Fort Worth (we live outside of Dallas) with our rambunctious son and two of his rambunctious friends. We brought the movie along, thinking it would placate them during the long drive and since I wasn’t driving I could glance over every now and then. Instead, I was immediately sucked into the movie, first by the gorgeous cinematography of the opening scenes, then by the outrageousness of the imagery as it continued.

Watching “Shaolin Soccer” was like watching a live action Looney Tune cartoon. It was incredibly silly, but I laughed all the way through it. So with that in mind I was all the more excited about the prospect of seeing Chow’s follow-up film, “Kung Fu Hustle”, expecting the same (or even higher) level of lunacy. And it delivered in spades on every count.

In “Kung Fu Hustle”, Chow stars as Sing, a young man who desperately want to become a member of the infamous Axe Gang. The Axe Gang is basically Hong Kong’s version of the Mafia (think low brow Yakuza) who have a stranglehold on ‘the town.’ Sing ends up doing everything wrong, incurring the wrath of both the gang he wants to join and the kung fu masters who want to take back the town.

Where “Shaolin Soccer” was “The Bad News News Bears” meets any Tex Avery cartoon, “Kung Fu Hustle” is more “The Godfather” meets any Tex Avery cartoon. The film is surprisingly violent, yet most of the violence is so excessively cartoonish as to make it laughable (which I suppose is the point). It makes fun of the Kung Fu movie genre is a way that I’ve never seen it done before. It was also interesting to me that despite the violence, Chow seems to have an almost childlike sense of humor, which is evident in scenes where people can suddenly break into dance for no reason. I found myself laughing extremely hard at much of what I was seeing, no matter how over the top it went.

You can watch “Kung Fu Hustle” in the original Chinese language with subtitles, which is the way I recommend. There’s always something lost in the translation with dubbing, and the film is a lot funnier with the subtitles. Of course I realize that there are way too many people here in the States who would rather gouge out their eyes than watch a subtitled movie (you know… people in Texas…), but I can only suggest to those people to go ahead and take some classes to upgrade their reading skills. It will further enhance your enjoyment of this film, and perhaps even allow you to get a real job.

As for the reasons you should pick up this DVD, aside from the film itself, Sony / Columbia Tristar has wisely added quite a few extra features to make it worth your while. The earlier release of Miramax’s “Shaolin Soccer” didn’t have any features at all, so these were very welcome. First up is a commentary by Chow and a couple members of the cast. I wasn’t sure what to expect even to the point of whether or not it would be in English (it isn’t). They pretty much laugh it up all the way through the film, and thankfully their commentary is presented with English subtitles so you know just what they’re laughing about. This is the one time I would suggest watching the dubbed version, that way you can understand the film and the speakers simultaneously.

You’ll also find an interesting interview with Chow conducted by Kung Fu movie expert Ric Meyers. His knowledge of the genre (he’s written several books) allows him to ask Chow some great questions, and some of the answers were a bit surprising. There’s also a behind the scenes featurette and a couple of deleted scenes, but even more interesting is the brief blooper reel. Here you get to see how some of the wire work was done.

The transfer to DVD is spectacular, much better than “Shaolin Soccer.” Much of the action in the film is so fast and frenetic, but I had no problems keeping up with everything.

I wouldn’t recommend “Kung Fu Hustle” to just anybody mind you. This is a film best seen by those with a broad sense of humor and some knowledge of Tex Avery cartoons. This will allow them to appreciate the hysterically stylized violence the film depicts.

Directed by: Stephen Chow
Starring: Stephen Chow
Extras: Deleted Scenes, Outtakes & Bloopers, Director & Cast Audio Commentary, Behind the Scenes, Ric Meyers Interviews Stephen Chow, Poster Gallery
Specifications: Widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Sony / Columbia Tristar
Release Date: 8/9/2005
Region 1
MPAA Rating: R (For Sequences of Strong Stylized Action and Violence)
Website

We'll give Kung Fu Hustle a B.