Kung Fu Hustle

Original title: Kung fu

20042004
RR
1h 39m

Action Comedy Fantasy

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.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.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.

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Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award
- 25 wins & 47 nominations total

Videos2

Trailer 1:44

Kung Fu Hustle

Clip 4:35

Streaming Passport to China

Photos167

Xiaogang Feng and Kai-Man Tin in Kung fu (2004)

Left: Danny chan Kwok Kwan as Brother Sum

Center: Stephen Chow as Sing; Right: Lam Tze Chung as Sidekick

Stephen Chow and Tze-Chung Lam in Kung fu (2004)

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. —Anthony Pereyra {hypersonic91@yahoo.com}

1940s kung fu anti hero gangster boss hitman 311 more

Taglines
- A film that proves being a good, bad guy is harder than it looks.
Genres
Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
- Rated R for sequences of strong stylized action and violence
Parents guide

Trivia
Bruce Lee Tribute: When the Landlady is seated between the Boss and his assistant, she faces the boss, and mimics the gestures Bruce Lee used while also facing a crime boss in Return of the Dragon. She wags her finger at him, then closes both fists, then just the right (while knuckles cracking can be heard), she jerks her head up, and the boss nods he understands, then she thumbs her nose, exactly like Bruce Lee.

Goofs
When Coolie takes on the Axe Gang alone, before the tailor joins in, an Axe Gang member takes a perfect unblocked swing at Coolie's back, realizes that Coolie can't block it, and runs away.

Quotes
Barber: Why don't you train us to be top fighters... and we'll avenge them!
Landlady: Becoming a top fighter takes time, unless you're a natural-born kung-fu genius, and they're 1 in a million.
Barber: [Does martial arts routine] It's obvious I'm the one.
Landlady: [immediately punches him in the face] Don't think so.

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.

Connections
Featured in At the Movies: Sahara/Eros/Kung Fu Hustle/Winter Solstice/Mondovino (2005)

Soundtracks
Zhi Yao Wei Ni Huo Yi Tian
Composed by Liu Jie Chang
Lyrics by Lin Huang Kun
Performed by Huang Sheng Yi
Arranged by Ying-Wah Wong (as Raymond Wong)

Top review

9/10

Fantastic

This is one of the most richly imaginative, creative, downright enjoyable movies I've ever seen. I haven't enjoyed myself this much since Pulp Fiction.

It took me a while to figure out who the hero was. First I thought it was the barber guy who got himself constantly smacked about by the landlady. I suppose it's because he looked so dim, he therefore had to be a kung fu master in disguise. I've read some of the other posts, and everyone seems to think the knife scene was the funniest. I didn't expect to come to this movie for a laugh, but the knife scene almost killed me. Luckily it was just me and my friend in the movie theatre, so I could let it all out.

If you go to the movies to free your imagination, then this is the movie for you. Stay away from people who say it's far-fetched and unrealistic. If they want realism, they should go to the laundromat.

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