Review: Kung Fu Hustle (2004, directed by Stephen Chow)

Forgive my lack of professionalism, but: nyah-nyah-ny-nyah-nyah, we saw it fir-irst, nyah-nyah-ny-nyah-nyah...

Getting its world premiere in Toronto, Kung Fu Hustle is both a glorious tribute to and gentle spoof of classic Hong Kong martial arts movies. Con artist Stephen Chow stumbles into trouble when he instigates a confrontation between the residents of Pig Sty Alley (every second one of which seems to be a kung fu master) and the evil, lethal and impeccably choreographed Axe Gang, but the ensuing war helps him to find his true destiny.

There's no way to adequately describe how insanely over the top the fight sequences are in the film. Yuen Wo Ping and Sammo Hung helped stage them, but then crazy effects that put films like Storm Riders and Volcano High to shame are added on to create something hilarious and magical. From the first confrontation in the Alley, to the attack of the world's second-best assassins, to the final sprawling battle with the Beast, each one ups the ante and kicks more ass than the last.

But the film also shows a comedy master at the height of his powers. Chow's timing is genius as always, his supporting cast great, the dialogue sharp, and he even remembers to include the obligatory no sequiter film quote (in Shaolin Soccer it was Jurassic Park... here it's, of all things, The Shining).

It's been a long, long time since I've seen a film as purely entertaining as this. Four fests ago I saw Crouching Tiger and predicted a couple of Top Six Oscar noms and $100 million plus in North American box office. Kung Fu Hustle won't get the noms of course, but I see absolutely no reason why it can't easily hit nine digits at the BO.

This is the one that will finally break Stephen Chow in the USA. And it's about damn time.