I've said this in other places, but - can't say I liked
Kung Fu Hustle, though I did enjoy
Shaolin Soccer, and agree there were enjoyable elements to
Kung Fu Hustle, particularly earlier on. My enjoyment might have been enhanced had I been fully aware of the numerous references Chow makes to earlier Asian films (the most obvious being the inclusion of many actors from those older films in
Kung Fu Hustle). I'm told by admirers of the film that it is basically one long parody.
Keeping that in mind, while I felt that
Kung Fu Hustle exhibited plenty of cinematographic style, for the majority of the film its violence was mere brutality rather than especially comic, built on a flimsy plot. Such brutality isn't necessarily detrimental to a film (
The Godfather parts I and II being obvious examples, or in a similar vein,
Goodfellas), but if it makes up most of the films content - as it does here - I find it quickly becomes dull. This becomes increasingly noticeable as the film goes on, with its action growing in both bloodlust (especially in the fight scene involving Siu-Lung Leung [The Beast], Qiu Yuen [Landlady] and Wah Yuen [Landlord]) and cartoon idiocy. I tend to agree with much of the review
here:
MAGTHKF said:
Every Stephen Chow production, for whatever reason, creates worldwide flatulent noise. This one is no exception. First and foremost, this is not, repeat, not, a kung fu film. It is a high-production-budget crude Hong Kong gutter comedy that uses martial arts as a prop. Think of the silliest, most manic and childish cartoon---"Roger Rabbit"---run it through the sick, scatological mind of Stephen Chow, and this is what you get. Nose picking, **** you-**** that, thugs everywhere, ultra cartoon violence. And it is all special effects. It is unfunny and silly beyond words...
Strangely, the site doesn't review
Shaolin Soccer - considering its dismissal of Chow, I'd be interested to know whether they rate it any higher than
Kung Fu Hustle.
Of course, there are plenty of glowing reviews for
Kung Fu Hustle, such as on
Rotten Tomatoes, so clearly it appeals to lots of people.
