Kung Fu Hustle (2004)

In Shanghai, China in the 1940s, a wannabe gangster aspires to join the notorious "Axe Gang" while residents of a housing complex exhibit extraordinary powers in defending their turf.

Director:

Stephen Chow

Writers:

Stephen Chow, Kan-Cheung Tsang (as Tsang Kan Cheong)

Stars:

Stephen Chow, Wah Yuen, Qiu Yuen

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 25 wins & 46 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Stephen Chow	...	Sing
Xiaogang Feng	...	Crocodile Gang Boss (as Feng Xiao Gang)
Wah Yuen	...	Landlord
Zhihua Dong	...	Donut (as Zhi Hua Dong)
Danny Kwok-Kwan Chan	...	Brother Sum (as Danny Chan)
Tze-Chung Lam	...	Bone (Sing's Sidekick) (as Lam Tze Chung)
Siu-Lung Leung	...	The Beast
Qiu Yuen	...	Landlady
Kai-Man Tin	...	Axe Gang Advisor
Kang Xi Jia	...	Harpist #1
Hark-On Fung	...	Harpist #2
Shengyi Huang	...	Fong
Suet Lam	...	Axe Gang Vice General
Cheung-Yan Yuen	...	Beggar (as Cheng Yan Yuen)
Chi Ling Chiu	...	Tailor

Storyline

Set in Canton, China in the 1940s, the story revolves in a town ruled by the Axe Gang, Sing who desperately wants to become a member. He stumbles into a slum ruled by eccentric landlords who turns out to be the greatest kung-fu masters in disguise. Sing's actions eventually cause the Axe Gang and the slumlords to engage in an explosive kung-fu battle. Only one side will win and only one hero will emerge as the greatest kung-fu master of all.

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Plot Keywords:

1940s | kung fu | written and directed by cast member | stylized violence | public nudity | 

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Taglines:

From walking disaster to kung fu master

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sequences of strong stylized action and violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

The quote "What are you prepared to do?" is a direct reference to The Untouchables (1987).

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Goofs

As the leader of the Crocodile Gang leaves the police station, his hat changes from a straw cowboy hat to a shapeless fabric hat, then back to a cowboy hat by the time he gets downstairs.

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Quotes

Brother Sum: Don't block my view!

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Alternate Versions

Original Hong Kong release uses the regular Columbia Pictures logo at the beginning used in front of American films, yet the American release only has the Sony Pictures Classic logo on the bright blue background.

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Connections

Featured in Films of Fury: The Kung Fu Movie Movie (2011)

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Soundtracks

Xiao Dao Hui Zu Qu
Composed by Shang Yi
Administered by Music Copyright Society of China

User Reviews

Potential Cult Film

I liked Shaolin Soccer, it was full of laughs and Stephen Chow has done it again with Kung Fu Hustle. It's not in the same vein as Shaolin Soccer and it is not a belly full of laughs, but it certainly emphasised his love of action movies especially Martial Art movies. The film pays homage to all those Hong Kong Martial Arts Serials, Bruce Lee and the action genre in general. I would even say that Kung Fu Hustle is a more refined Shoalin Soccer in terms of storyline, action sequences and acting.

The setting is great with some nice scenes of old Hong Kong and the way people used to live. The fight scenes were pretty good, especially at the start with the three masters fighting the Axe Gang. Okay, the story was predictable but that didn't take away the enjoyment one bit.

Overall, it is a highly recommended movie to watch and I can't wait for his next film.

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures [hk][jp] [China] (English) Sony Pictures [United States]

Country:

Hong Kong China USA

Language:

Cantonese Mandarin

Release Date:

22 April 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kung Fu Hustle

Filming Locations:

China

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$269,225, 10 April 2005

Gross USA:

$17,108,591

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$104,882,445

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia, Huayi Brothers Media, Taihe Film Investment Co. Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1