I have recently re-watched versatile comedian-actor-producer-director Stephen Chows cinematic masterpiece, Kung Fu Hustle, for the umpteenth time. I truly admire his artistic work, because he is exceptionally talented, especially in creatively fusing hard-hitting kung fu action with hilarious comedy, plus a little bit of love drama, rousing music and fancy dance routines, as reflected in the above movie. I have in fact watched - and re-watched - many of his other movies, particularly King of Comedy, CJ7, Shaolin Soccer, From Beijing with Love, The Mad Monk, King of Beggars, God of Cookery, the Fist of Fury duology and the God of Gambler trilogy, just to name a few. I know, some movie-going folks may be turned off by his nonsensical antics. In reality, thats his over-the-top style of comedy, known in Cantonese circles as mo lei tau (無厘頭）. By the way, the story plot of Kung Fu Hustle is about two young gangster-wannabes (with Stephen Chow as one of them) who aspire to join the notorious Axe Gang, and unwittingly get themselves caught in the gangs clashes with a bunch of seemingly unruly residents (some of whom happen to be highly skilled pugilists in quiet retirement) of a crowded settlement, known as Pig Style Alley. Also, a motley of deadly but quirky assassins are thrown into the crazy medley to heighten the tension, and more precisely, the entertainment. I must say, the climactic fight scenes (of course, with the help of techno-wizardry) are the best I have ever scene in Chinese movies. I read that they have been choreographed by the legendary Yuen Wo Ping, whose exemplary work has also been reflected in the Crouching Tiger, Kill Bill and Matrix movies. Sing Chai, which is Stephen Chows nickname, is really good!
Posted on: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 03:35:40 +0000
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