Hustle's Got Muscle

Stephen Chow’s Kung Fu Hustle is something of a minor masterpiece striking the balance between drama, action and comedy like few films can. Set in the first half of 20^th Century China, it follows a group of down trodden residents of an isolated slum as they defend themselves from local gangsters, the Axe Gang. The catalyst for the mayhem is Chow’s arrogant under-achiever who, in the spirit of all universal hero myths, must be reborn the hero and vanquish the enemy.

The key to Hustle’s success is the zany comedy which often plays like an ultra-violent, live action Loony Tunes cartoon with all the perfectly timed physical humour and slapstick that implies. With all the craziness on show, director Chow never loses sight of the large ensemble of vivid characters and the drama that accompanies their fight for survival.

Visually, Hustle has a very specific and beautiful design mantra, the cartoony CGI effects are far better suited here than in the appalling works of Stephen Sommers and the constantly surprising, fantasy fighting choreography is frenetically brought to the screen with the grace of a 1950’s dance number.

Fantastically original, funny and exciting stuff.