Look Out Tarantino
Kung Fu Hustle
Review by Ross Anthony

Wow! What fun this film is! Big action. Big comedy. Big heart. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll laugh and cry at the same time.

Opening with brazen audacity, with the rat-a-tat-tat of a Jimmy Cagney moon-shining gangster film of yesteryear. Then tap dancing with style, with a men-in-suits line-dancing cockiness that sets the mood for a rambunctious, fresh, original film to follow. Never a dull moment, seldom a wasted shot of any kind. While the film is bustling with special effects, it does not rely on them. The story is as crisp and bold as its brash opening. Not afraid to be bloody, but definitely not about blood. Not afraid to engage in complicated martial arts, but not about that either.

At the center, a child's choice: Right or wrong? Good or bad? Help the crying girl, or steal her candy?

The camera movement and character blocking are slick, sharp, cinematic and usually frosted with a sweet helping of humor. The whole film enjoys chip timing and full choreography. Made rich with care and talent. Kudos to writer, director, star Stephen Chow. This is one of the best films I've seen this year.

Original, it is its own piece, but forced to compare, I might say that "KFH" is a sort of Chinese "Pulp Fiction" with a vibrating funny-bone and a taste of "Matrix." If you crave a lush piece of entertainment and don't mind a little blood -- I highly recommend this film. (In Cantonese and Mandarin with English subtitles.)

This film screened at a Laemmle Theatre.


  • Kung Fu Hustle. Copyright © 2005.
  • Starring Stephen Chow Sing-chi, Yuen Wah, Leung Siu-lung, Chan Kwok-kwan, Yuen Qi, Eva Huang Sheng-yi, Lam Tze-chung, Tin Kai-man.
  • Directed by Stephen Chow Sing-chi.
  • Screenplay by Stephen Chow Sing-chi, Tsang Kan-cheong, Lola Huo.
  • Produced by Stephen Chow Sing-chi, Chui Po-chu, Jeff lau at Columbia Pictures Asia/ Beijing Film Studio of China Film Group/Star Overseas Ltd./Sony Pictures Classics Release.

Grade..........................A (3.5/4)

Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.

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Last Modified: Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 08:06:29 PDT