When the kind of violence perpetrated in the classic Warner Bros. “Looney Tunes” is aimed at cartoon ducks and roadrunners, the result is family entertainment.
When the same violence is aimed at live-action people, you get an R rating. That’s the unfortunate case for “Kung Fu Hustle,” an enormously silly and entertaining movie. If only this movie lost a few of its severed limbs and piled-up bodies, it would be beloved by cartoon-happy kids.
“Kung Fu Hustle” is the brainchild of Hong Kong action star Stephen Chow, who also directed and co-wrote the film. He also made “Shaolin Soccer,” which had a bungled U.S. release but was a smash hit everywhere else in the world.
The new one takes the hilarious opening half-hour of “Shaolin” and spreads it out over an entire movie. It’s set, maybe, in the 1930s-40s in Shanghai; specifics are not this movie’s strong point.
The setting is a slum called Pigsty Alley, where a couple of karate-chopping toughs (including Chow) come wandering in one day. They claim to be members of the Axe Gang, the baddest mob in town.
They try intimidating the locals, but it turns out the residents of Pigsty Alley are hardier than they appear. Then the real Axe Gang comes along….
But why talk about plot? “Kung Fu Hustle” is really one insane action sequence after another, executed with wild visual logic and plenty of computer-generated special effects. The fight choreography is by Yuen Wo-Ping, who’s become legendary for his work on “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and the “Matrix” pictures.
Chow has gathered a cast of veteran kung fu performers, all of whom get a chance to strut their stuff. Special mention, though, to the uproarious Yuen Qiu, who plays the perpetually scowling landlady of Pigsty Alley. (She only plays one note, but oof, what a note.) Cross her and prepare to meet your doom.
“Kung Fu Hustle” goes off the rails well before its halfway point, but that’s the plan. The fighting barber, the blind killer musicians, the impossibly accelerated footrace (plus some parodies of “Gangs of New York,” if I’m not mistaken) all combine for a giddy level of nonsense. This is a looney tune-ism of a high order.
“Kung Fu Hustle” HHH
Comic: An insane series of martial-arts fights makes this movie a wild and hilarious “Looney Tune” come to life. Stephen Chow stars and directs, with a great roster of kung fu fighters. (In Cantonese and Mandarin, with English subtitles.)
Rated: R rating is for violence.
Now showing: tk
“Kung Fu Hustle” HHH
Comic: An insane series of martial-arts fights makes this movie a wild and hilarious “Looney Tune” come to life. Stephen Chow stars and directs, with a great roster of kung fu fighters. (In Cantonese and Mandarin, with English subtitles.)
Rated: R for violence.
Now showing: Everett 9, Loews, Marysville, Mountlake, Meridian, Metro, Oak Tree, Woodinville, Cascade.
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