not horrible nor great

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

This is my second viewing. The movie is unique because it has comedy, kung fu and fantasy. Though predictable but still good. Not a scene is wasted, characters are developed well and fighting scene is entertaining. I wish for a sequel although unlikely.

Kung Fu Hustle is a movie about Kung Fu masters facing one another, protecting one another, and battling the Axe Gang. I have never heard of this movie and I was told to watch it for my final for my Perspectives class and I truly did not have high hopes for this movie, but I was wrong! This movie was absolutely great and I enjoyed watching it so much. It was such a good mix of feelings for the viewer as well. You felt sad at some points, you felt happy in others, and the rest of it was just plain exciting. I can not tell you how much I laughed during this movie and I was watching it with my mother as well, she thought it was weird but she laughed multiple times. The movie also has an interesting mixture of time periods and mixing of different cultures. It was sort of like a western film, mixed with roaring 20's, mixed with old school gangs and mafias like in "The Godfather", mixed with a goofy Stephen Chow movie. I thought the story line was goofy, yet exciting and I would totally recommend this to anyone who wants to watch a goofy Chinese Kung Fu movie. I honestly wish there was a remake of this movie!

Good: Almost everything. I love it all, from the crazy slapstick humor, to the wild kung-fu fantasy fighting, to the insane villains and incredible heroes. Stephen Chow is not a man who does things by halves. When he does things, he does it all the way. Kung Fu Hustle is physical evidence of this. Kung Fu Hustle is not a film for the meek. Everything about it is completely over the top from the beginning (where a man's leg is sliced clean in two by an axe) to the end (a kung-fu style called the Toad, which emulates the croaking and hopping of it's namesake). Another amazing aspect is the soundtrack. Inspired by classic Shaolin music, it's incredibly fitting to the scenes in this movie. I actually went out of my way to find the soundtrack to listen by itself. The special effects are a bit too much, but that's just part of it's charm and humor. This is my favorite movie of all time in terms of sheer entertainment. I've watched it 4 times already.Bad: Character development. The protagonist, Sing, isn't a hero until 3/4ths of the movie is through. And for no apparent reason or explanation other than the lollipop. The Landlady and Landlord are also cowards until the movie is halfway through, also for no apparent reason.Verdict: I highly recommend watching this movie at least once. Or twice. Or thrice. Or four times like I did.

Kung Fu Hustle (2004): Dir: Stephen Chow / Cast: Stephen Chow, Danny Chan, Yuen Wah, Yuen Qiu, Bruce Leung: Absolutely hilarious martial arts comedy written, directed and starring Stephen Chow. The Axe Gang is the most feared gang in the country and they take aim at the peaceful Pig Sty Alley but are surprised when their peaceful target is skilled in martial arts. Amusing setup travels from one fight scene to the next with a rather merciful conclusion. What really shines are the exquisite visual elements and the humour propelled by the cast. Chow plays Sing who wishes to join the Axe Gang but he is ordered to commit a murder to do so. He reflects upon younger days when standing up for a young girl resulted in his ass getting kicked. He is a wimp with a good heart and Chow plays him to perfect comic pitch. Other characters include the Beast who looks nothing like one. Danny Chan plays the ruthless Axe Gang leader who tests Chow and eventually misuses his control to dire consequences. A landlady, played by Yuen Qiu possesses the "lion's roar" and becomes a force to be reckoned with. Yuen Wah plays the landlady's drunken husband with powers of his own. Bruce Leung plays the Beast whose transformation is both nasty and funny. Great mix of martial arts and humour that takes jabs at martial arts films that destroys the law of gravity. Score: 9 / 10