By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Stephen Chow
Starring: Ng Man-Tat | Qiu Yuen | Stephen Chow | Wah Yuen | Xing Yu | Yuen Wah
Original language title: Gong Fu
Country: china, hong_kong
Year: 2005
Running time: 95
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0373074/combined
Hilary says: “A kung fu comedy incorporating aspects of classic Hollywood cinema, Westerns, Looney Tunes, and a hint of musicals; no great need for a plot summary here. In short, the residents of Pig Style Alley rise up and fight the violent but impeccably-dressed Axe Gang headed by Brother Sum (Kwok Kuen Chan). Writer/director/producer Stephen Chow (SHAOLIN SOCCER) stars as Sing, a wannabe Axe who just might be the long-awaited a master of the ‘Buddhist Palm’ style of kung fu.
“Chow is fun to watch, as is the Axe Gang, clad in spotless matching suits as they go into battle. However, the standout is Landlady (Yuen Qiu) who literally kicks ass without taking the curlers out of her hair or the cigarette dangling from the corner of her mouth.
“4 cats for sheer entertainment value and 5 for Landlady showing the guys how it’s done”
Tom responds: “Yuen Qiu is the ‘older sister’ of the circus troupe that produced the ‘Seven Little Fortunes,’ which included Yuen Biao, Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung. Playing the landlord in KUNG FU HUSTLE is Yuen Wah, also one of the Seven Little Fortunes.
“Another great performance in KUNG FU HUSTLE is Ng Man-Tat, who is a regular in Stephen Chow’s movies, who plays the evil-doer. He’s not a handsome man to begin with, but he did the creepy role so well that I wasn’t sure it was him at first.”