Do the Hustle

Mentioned Stephen Chow a while ago, for a "lesser" work. This week, we re-watched Kung Fu Hustle, one of his best.

Like Shaolin Soccer, this shows Chow in full control, with a great cast and a big budget. The Axe Gang ruthlessly controls ca. 40s Hong Kong - with a little disco dance to prove it. Chow and a porcine friend pretend to be members in order to shake down a slum called Pigsty Alley. But the landlady, in her curlers and bathrobe shuts them down. When the actual Axe Gang gets involved, we find that there may be some secret masters hiding in the slum.

Chow and his pal are brilliantly inept, and the Axe Gang and the secret masters are dazzling brilliant. Like Shaolin Soccer, Kung Fu Hustle is full of absurdities and in-jokes. For example, when Chow first shows up, some kids kick him a soccer ball. He does a few tricks then stomps the ball flat - "No more soccer!".

Another gag has thousands of black-clad, sunglass-wearing assailants attacking one defender, ala the Burley Brawl from the Matrix. And it comes out fresh and sharp.

Great kung fu, great comedy, great movie.