Now, a new challenger has entered the arena.  Stephen Chow is a writer/director/star who tries to expand on the Jackie Chan formula to include elements from classic cartoons.  Blending wirework, computer graphics, and nuttiness, Stephen Chow has created the first Kung Fu live action cartoon.

You may remember Stephen Chow from Shaolin Soccer.  If you haven't seen that movie, you should.  Go right now and watch it.  That is, if you like funny martial arts.  It's worth a look-see. 

Kung Fu Hustle is advertised as a blend of musical and action movie; references are made to The Matrix, Crouching Tiger, Buster Keaton, and Jackie Chan.  However, don't be fooled.  Stephen Chow's emphasis in Kung Fu Hustle is less on the Kung Fu and more on the Hustle, if "hustle" is slang for "computer graphics."  There isn't a lot of fighting in the film.  There are, however, a lot of interesting characters with cool special powers.  It's a bit like a computer game, actually.  There aren't any training montages.  Everyone in the film is already a master, which is a nice premise.  But, they don't spend much time with traditional hand-to-hand moves.  These are ultra-masters.  They use their mystical powers to do things that can't be done (without the help of CGI, that is.)

As an example, if you saw The Matrix Reloaded, there was a scene where Neo fought hundreds of versions of Mr. Smith.  Bodies flew around, got knocked over like bowling pins, shot into the air, and flopped like rag dolls.  It was a superhero movie.  So is Kung Fu Hustle.  It goes beyond over-the-top.  It's ludicrous.  However, it's not supposed to be realistic.  Those of you who want a good realistic martial arts flick should check out Ong Bak; Kung Fu Hustle is pure comic-book fantasy. 

The acting is good across the board.  That's a good thing, since there can be long breaks between action scenes.  All of the characters are distinct and memorable, which you don't see very often, even in "real" movies.  This is especially impressive considering that many of the principle actors have limited acting experience.  The Landlady, for example, was last scene in the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun, in 1974, in a bit role.  It turns out that she went to Chinese Opera school with Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung, so you know she knows her stuff.  Not only that, she put on 40 pounds for the role.  Eat your hearts out, Robert DeNiro.  Deep fry it, cover it in chocolate sauce, and eat it...that's how you pack on the pounds.

There are some impressive computer graphics and they're used to great effect.  There's much less emphasis on physically demanding humor; there isn't much in the way of eye-popping acrobatics.  Mostly it's CGI and wirework.  But, it's refreshingly funny, and there are some truly funny moments.  Stephen Chow knows how to get the laughs.

It's more cartoony than Kung-Fuey, but fans of martial arts movies, Stephen Chow, or silly comedies will all have a good time.  It's too bad there weren't more musical numbers; there was only one, and it seems like a musical-comedy-kung-fu movie could be a big hit.  Even so, Kung Fu Hustle is great fun.

Expectation from the Title: The latest self-defense dance craze.

Mother's Rule (Always Say Something Good About Everything):  Stephen Chow is cute, talented, and funny.  He'd be invited over for dinner any time.

The Pros: Funny, visually impressive, memorable characters, good acting.

The Cons: Less kung fu than you might expect; might be too cartoonish for some people's tastes.  Not enough musical numbers.

Steven Chow, Kungfu Hustle, Kung Fu Hussle, Shoalin Soccer, Buster Keeton