Mishalak Reviews: Kung Fu Hustle
Apr. 22nd, 2005 09:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mishalakThe first ten minutes might be a little hard on some viewers ... okay scratch that. The whole movie might be hard on some viewers. Imagine if you will all the most silly over the top things that happen in a classic cartoon and translate them into a live action kung fu movie with all the blood, guts, snot, and un-PC behavior that implies.
I must admit that I was a bit annoyed with the total gay stereotype of one character, but it wasn't atrocious. They made fun of everyone in this movie so that made it seem okay to me. Another problem is that the best parts of the movie come in the middle rather than at the end. The most incredible fight scenes and certainly the funniest bits come relatively near the beginning. Right after the choreographed dancing with axes and the set up in the case of the funniest bits. A friend I was with did like afore mention bits of gangsters showing off their Strictly Ballroom moves, but not the gruesome bits in between.
Though there were flaws I had an excellent time because I went in with the right mind set. I knew it would be very, very silly. I mean python levels of silliness. Every stereotype of the kung fu master taken to 11 and then warped in strange surreal ways with references to all sorts of western movies thrown in for fun. And there were some deeply bad ass characters as well. But go with a friend so you can laugh together.
What: Kung Fu Hustle
Playing now at area theaters
Who's if for: People who liked The Search for the Holy Grail, but with extra blood. People who like Kung Fu movies, but don’t take them too seriously.
Who won't like it: Anyone who dislikes lots of violence. It may be cartoon violence, but it's there. People who can't stand subtitles and/or cheesy pop culture references.
Personally: Thumbs Up, Way Up!
I must admit that I was a bit annoyed with the total gay stereotype of one character, but it wasn't atrocious. They made fun of everyone in this movie so that made it seem okay to me. Another problem is that the best parts of the movie come in the middle rather than at the end. The most incredible fight scenes and certainly the funniest bits come relatively near the beginning. Right after the choreographed dancing with axes and the set up in the case of the funniest bits. A friend I was with did like afore mention bits of gangsters showing off their Strictly Ballroom moves, but not the gruesome bits in between.
Though there were flaws I had an excellent time because I went in with the right mind set. I knew it would be very, very silly. I mean python levels of silliness. Every stereotype of the kung fu master taken to 11 and then warped in strange surreal ways with references to all sorts of western movies thrown in for fun. And there were some deeply bad ass characters as well. But go with a friend so you can laugh together.
What: Kung Fu Hustle
Playing now at area theaters
Who's if for: People who liked The Search for the Holy Grail, but with extra blood. People who like Kung Fu movies, but don’t take them too seriously.
Who won't like it: Anyone who dislikes lots of violence. It may be cartoon violence, but it's there. People who can't stand subtitles and/or cheesy pop culture references.
Personally: Thumbs Up, Way Up!