Being fascinated by Chinese culture, it’s hard to miss this movie, but I did.
In China, everything is done according to the same principle, as I noticed, and it sounds something like this: "If something works, don't invent new ones, finish it," and it's not about this film, the adaptation of kung fu and the themes with qi (internal energy), it was always a sore topic of Chinese science fiction, but then they decided not to worry about it, and they did it right.
Given the weapons that are used there, the story is about the early to mid-20th century, and it's very well shown the mood at the time, to be honest, it's the only film from China that shows the weakness of power and freethinking. Looking at the moods that were there in the past. For me, this is almost a “relic” film, because you feel the mood of the past.
I wonder if they wanted to reshoot it, how many percent of the game would not allow before the release?
Stephen Chow once again gave a grinding action, fantastic kung fu and a dramatic story. After the success of Killer Football, the director and actor applies martial arts to all interpretations. So why not show the dizzying kung fu, which is seasoned with adult ratings, hidden forces, thriller and comedy? “Kung Fu-style showdowns” collects all the above qualities, giving an amazing history of martial arts, self-acceptance and choice of side.
In the courtyard, there is a gang confrontation, a battle for territory, dividing it into sections. The film imposes harsh laws, and radical methods of solving problems accompany the film with blood and meat. The exposition is given in order to assess the scale of opponents, as well as to show the entire fantastic part of the tape. Kung-fu acts not just as martial arts, not a way to achieve harmony, but as a superpower, which is emphasized. This is not a believable showdown of Jackie Chan, it is magic.
In this vein, we are sent to a small yard where all the guests are ridiculed, where the harsh hostess is in charge, and the careless appearance of citizens serves as a cover. A cover for something big. Humor borders on the absurdity of what is happening, until the main character – Stephen Chow – comes on stage. The heterogeneity of this person is accompanied by jokes and attempts to prove his coolness.
In a world where everything is run by gangs, it is very important to be cool: a member of a gang, independent or just strong, but in this regard, the film distinguishes a quite ordinary hero. Events clash the forces of evil and good in order to assess the scale of fights. It's just something. Everything is very unexpected, it seems that there is no limit to fantasies. Whether it is a fatal blow or just a slap in the face, the consequences are unpredictable. Lots of action, funny scenes. In addition to the usual fight, waving arms and legs, we are met by internal forces, and concealment of ability, and complete disregard for pain.
It sounds like a kung fu parody, but that's the whole point. You can create martial arts as fantasy as possible, but at the same time equate it with catastrophic consequences. After a few interesting fights, the plot takes over. Mixing the main character with the secondary allows you to distract from the unpretentious guy, looking at the strong masters and their opposition, but it is Chow’s life goal that begins to lead the entire film.
The picture in a good action shows magic, death and comedy, mixing everything in one episode, which gives rise to conflicting feelings. For every strong opponent there is someone stronger, and so on until the final. Fights are so mystical that intrigue appears before each of them - you do not know how the fighters will behave, what they will undertake, whether they will survive. Separately, I want to note - the dirtier, more intricate, more bummy the character looks, the more strength he hides. This is the whole point of the film: everyone knows how to fight, just someone well disguised.
Flashbacks and warrior path directions for Stephen Chow reveal him as a person, perfectly managing this character. Ambiguous and unpredictable, just like everything in this movie. Funny that this is not Bollywood scenes, where the absurd serves as a catalyst for the plot, here we have China – so any magic and mysticism will be seasoned with prophecy, new heroes, hidden knowledge and the true spirit of the warrior.
The picture is full of cruelty, rudeness and violence. All the elements of the adult rating are seasoned with fights and humor. You don’t seem to be serious about this, but when the plot progresses, it becomes clear that all the characters have a certain status, certain forces and purpose. “Disassembly in the style of kung fu” is a funny canvas that hides fantasy, brings the true qualities of a person to the desired level, directs them on the right path.
Unpretentious and funny kung fu thrash from experts in their field.
The film is full of content for fans of spectacular Chinese movies about muzzle. Of course, the main focus was on fights, and they were successful here. The fights are beautiful, watching is very exciting. The skirmishes are mostly humorous, parody, but there are also relatively serious ones, with good references and a concept. The stage with musicians is a real stylistic masterpiece.
At the same time 'Kung Fu Hustle' quite heterogeneous in its direction. Attempts to add some serious, dramatic moments and a primitive love line to the crazy thrash seemed to me unsuccessful. These are all personal nagging, but here it was necessary either to develop these topics in more detail, or to abandon them altogether.
Despite this, the film pleases with its ease, banter over the templates of the genre and obvious self-irony (the housewife burns). In addition, the soundtrack here is selected with taste, especially magnificent and touching ' Zhi Yao Wei Ni Huo Yi Tian'.
'Kung Fu Hustle' in general, it turned out well and certainly worthy of viewing by all connoisseurs of the genre. The movie is stupid, but spectacular and causing a smile. You should not expect more from him.
Shanghai, '30s. The city is controlled by the Axe gang. A small swindler Shin and his friend are engaged in theft and extortion. They pretend to be “Toporov” and come to the poor quarter “Pig”. But there people turn out to be kung fu masters and fight back. This attracts the attention of real "Apporov" to the quarter.
The success of “Killing Football” in 2002 made actor and director Stephen Chow famous all over the world and his next picture “Kung Fu Style Disassembly” was released in a wide international box office, collecting more than $ 100 million. The film is a parody of the Wuxia genre - Chinese kung fu paintings, where the characters demonstrate superhuman speed, reaction and blows, fly and everything like that.
Stephen Chow exaggerates the usual techniques from the shoulder, achieving a comic effect. They fight with serious faces, but it's funny. All these martial artists, hiding under the masks of ordinary people, use incredible and fantastic martial arts techniques. The fights were staged here by Yuen Woo-Ping and Sammo Hung. But most of all, various special effects are used here. The film is not hilariously funny, but very funny. Almost every scene of the reference gender. Moreover, Stephen Chow parodied not only films about martial arts, but also a lot of Hollywood films: here and “The Matrix”, “The Shining”, “Reservoir Dogs”, “West Side Story” and many others. And the Shanghai of the 30s resembles the Chicago of the 20s from the classic gangster tapes. The film sometimes crumbles into episodes and there is a feeling of confusion, but many scenes are done very well and can even be watched separately from the film itself.
If you are not a fan of Hong Kong martial arts movies, then you are unlikely to be interested in this film. But in the opposite case, you can get a lot of pleasure. Although the film parodies this genre, but shot with a clear love for it.
7.5 out of 10
(about 57th minute of the film)
Kung fu style showdown
Oh, Chow's dialogue is beyond my comprehension. So are the movies. The main characters want to get into an unrealistically cool gang of "Appor". “Toporam”, in turn, a-ha-ha, hung by local peasants (headed by an aunt who always smokes a cigarette).
“Kung Fu Style Showdowns” is a bright, stylish, beautiful and original film. Stephen Chow is a fantastic fictionalist who will make you laugh and applaud nonstop. Steven fools around and throws his audience with a crazy visual. Many critics bowed to Chow.
Even I (when I saw the picture at the time of its release) somehow lost, drowned in the visual part. And only now, during the re-viewing, it suddenly dawned on me that there are dramatic dashes of romantic notes in the “Showdowns”. A lollipop on a stick and a mute girl.
It would seem to be a completely secondary line, but it is still able to touch you to the depths of your soul (watched with a lump in your throat). Add a posh parody of gangster action movies along with kung fu movies. “Disassembly” came out after the popular “Killing football”.
It’s no surprise that there are so many familiar faces in the showdown. I would especially like to highlight Danny Chan and Lam Ze-Chun. The first brilliantly played the villain (don’t bother me to watch!), the second successfully played along with Chow himself (loser friends). By the way, I am very sympathetic to the fact that Chow does not try to pull the blanket over himself.
Yes, he is the main character, this is his picture! But, the old man really lets open absolutely all the actors who play for him. How can you forget that boy with his pants down or the couple? And about the Beast and not to say, colorful turned out to be a villain.
“Kung Fu-style showdowns” is one of the most stunning films of the 21st century. Laughter, tears, kung fu. A beautiful and smart movie in one bottle. You won’t find a second such movie. Chow is not afraid of anyone, managed to walk Kubrick. Elevator with blood, a clear reference to "The Shining."
The picture has almost a classic script of old Eastern militants. Numerous neighborhoods of the city are stuffed with motley gangs that not only keep the local population at bay, but the most powerful of them seized power, morally and partially physically destroying the police. But there are neighborhoods, the poorest, where they did not go and better not do it.
Very inventively demonstrated combat scenes, both in terms of production and humor. Each showdown is remembered for its unpredictable highlight, and thanks to bright, original characters, the viewer not only enjoys an unusual picture, but also gets involved in what is happening. Humor is quite competent, despite its color. There are also silly jokes, but not so much as to spoil the overall impression.
I liked the moralizing side, which easily broke through all this total frivolity. The message is clear, because each of us lacks faith in ourselves, and without it, nothing.
I will recommend the film for viewing, it is bright, boring, with well-written characters, with an excellent staging of fights, which are noisily diluted with all sorts of ideas.
In the courtyard there is a time of unrest and unrest, various groups are fighting for power in the city on the streets, but the poorest district in which everyone lives quietly and peacefully, up to one time stands apart. When a gang of axes comes to power.
Pig lane, it is home to hundreds of people who quarrel, swear, but remain neighbors and every month pay rent to the grumpy landlady and her petty husband. But when a gang of axes comes to them in the alley, people will have defenders capable of selecting villains.
Stephen Chow the main character, light, funny, somewhat naive and confused person, who despite the comic image is the most dramatic character.
I also liked the other characters of the film, a couple of killer musicians who just had a full break, such bright and violent mercenaries I have never seen in films, except in anime, but what they did is just mega cool.
And the unsurpassed master of kung fu beast with a murderous aura, who is honored to fight the masters of kung fu. In this man, as if calm, skill and strength themselves came together, he was like a real master of martial arts showed not only strength but the character of the spirit.
But among the huge mass of guests and bandits, you will be surprised not by the main bandit leading the gang of axes, but the hostess of the house in a nightgown and curlers. She turned out to be just a stunning woman who does not spoil. And her lion roar is a killer thing. You have to look at it and admire it.
A film with a bit of philosophy, a great kung fu master does not become a day and revenge does not bring relief. But the words that great power is responsible have become the most memorable to me.
"Kung Fu Disassembly" successfully combines tragedy, drama, action film and comedy with some fantastic elements. In general, the film is undoubtedly fascinating, maybe kung fu here and served with a touch of fiction, but this gives the film, the very highlight that many serious deep-thinking films lack. And the romantic line, like the cherry on the cake, is the undoubted decoration of this oriental action movie.
A cool, bright and original film from me enthusiastic applause and the highest rating.
This film was recommended to me by a friend, saying that you should not take it seriously and it is better to immediately tune in to a humorous manner, which I actually did immediately. This film is first of all a comedy and only then an action movie.
I received my positive charge. To say that I was delighted is to say nothing. From the very first minutes of watching the picture, you know that it will be even cooler. The whole story is immersed in the world of stupidity, exaggeration, absurdity. This story, of course, is not from life, it is from fantasy.
The film is very beautiful. I especially liked the battle with musicians. Kung fu combined with music is something unusual and beautiful. Throughout the film, I loved the color scheme. Everything was filmed in soft, pleasant colors, nothing irritated the eyes.
To sum it up, I really enjoyed watching the movie. First of all, I laughed from the heart. I fell in love with each of the actors who took part in the filming. Even the minor characters were so colorful that it was impossible to miss them.
Do you hear the rustle of flying time?
His chariot is always on the road.
Rabindranath Tagore.
And the unsurpassed master of murder, the Beast, and the Vulture, and the wife of the Vulture, the Lion's Roar, with eternal curls and a smoking papyrus, intertwined in one large knot, unable to continue the fight. From the wreckage of the destroyed casino, the Axes creeped out cowardly, afraid to approach the masters clamped in the grips. The leader of the Axes handed a stick to Sin. - "Kill them!" Before the mandatory scene, the unsuccessful thief Sin, who does not know how to fight, seemed only one of the secondary heroes of the film-parody of the Chinese cinematic genre “Wusya” with flying main characters. But a short inept blow to one of the immobilized masters, he became the main character of the parable.
Shanghai is known as the Paris of the East. And in the thirties, he justified his nickname twice. European-style luxury neighborhoods of the city center with gentlemen's clubs, casinos and posh shops coexist with neighborhoods for the poor. The police guard foreigners and the rich, and spit on the poor. A small crook Shin and his bad friend Gu wander into Pig Lane, hoping to get money from hardworking people, drawing a tattoo in the form of crossed axes. Having received nothing from the residents of the Pig, they only provoke the real Axes to fight the local poor. Among the poor live secretly three great fighters who swept away the gang, despite the Mausers and Tommi-gans. Tension is building. Axes hire killers with a murderous old seven-stringed zither. The night battle follows the day battle. The war is unleashed, and it seems that it cannot be stopped.
But director Stephen Chow's Kung Fu-style showdown would never have been Hong Kong's highest-grossing film without the subtext. Chow crossed the action movie with comedy and with a parody of the action movie. Unaccustomed, such a mixture can sometimes seem monstrous. One scene of the night battle of hired killers-citists with three masters, where the Axes, sitting in the car and chewing popcorn, watch the murder, what is worth it. The frank cynicism of the unsurpassed master of the murders of the Beast in a normal action movie would cause an attack of a whole range of bad feelings, but in "Showdowns..." the words of the Beast, dressed in an alcoholic T-shirt and hospital slippers, sound like an exquisite comedy replica dash of philosophical revelation. Understanding the true meaning of this film comes gradually, like saturating a truly gourmet dinner at the end of a hard day.
And the path to understanding begins with understanding the musical design of the film. “The Song of the East China Sea Fisherman” introduces the inhabitants of Pig Lane, cheerful, even pathetic orchestration contrasts with the gloomy-rhythmic music at the first acquaintance with the Axes in the center of Shanghai. Thirty-three tunes were used by the director, adding contrast to day and night battles, making the characters more expressive. The lyrical component was strengthened by the song Liu In Chang, written in the seventies. Going through the whole film as the melody of the main character, the song sounds in the finale from the face of the silent girl. And it's not just music that helps director Chow manipulate the viewer's feelings, moving them easily on a scale from funny to scary. Taking for the basis of his parable the real history of China of the thirties, where there really existed a cruel axe-like ubiquitous Green gang, filling the picture with real things of the time, Chow built his Shanghai with colonial streets and multi-storey “Pigs”.
Having reinvented Shanghai, Stephen Chow untied his hands. In a fake city, it is so easy to change day for night, a cheerful showroom in which secret craftsmen live under the guise of tailors and bakers - to a gloomy city of murderers. The houses of a fictional city will never be obscured by the palisade of the skyscrapers of Shanghai Pudong, which meets monsoon clouds from the ocean with spires. His real hero will forever remain a petty thief, magically reborn like a caterpillar into a butterfly, into a great master. His right hand is bent at chest level, and his palm looks outward.
Incredible in its absurdity, a parody comedy of the Wusya genre (adventure fantasy) “Disassembly in the style of Kung Fu” by Stephen Chow, revealing the background of Shanghai, – the disassembly of the mafia, poverty and other charms of life of that time with the addition, of course, oriental martial arts, and comic situations causing homeric laughter, passing a hurrah at the box office, and receiving a positive response, both from the audience and most critics has become one of the best combat comedies for today. This is the same “Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon”, only he has much more pleasant delirium, and the pathos is diluted with sarcastic and wise jokes of the grumpy wife of one of the residents of the working quarter with a bad reputation and following the laws of the genre, those very famous and popular films where the now deceased, holy man participated for all connoisseurs of martial arts, Bruce Lee the film is truly amazing, Chinese folk music playing in the background even more pleases the heart and my spoiled soul.
And for those who wish to find something soulful in it, the story focused on the hero has several heartbreaking moments associated with a girl selling ice cream, and the very unwillingness of residents to obey the will of the glamorous mafia will cause understanding from the viewer. And then, according to the familiar scheme of Killer Football and all the films, where her hero Aki Neo from The Matrix, going to the next level, gets a chance at Fatalliti from Mortal Combat (the fights here are the same as from the mothball movie of the 90s). Action spreads both common sense and logic, in short, it destroys everything! And at the same time, the film makes you think a little about the benefits of the skills of a young fighter in a Chinese slum, in order to calmly walk through the dark corners of his native provincial city.
The cult comedy of the best Asian comedian came in 2004, following the no less spectacular comedy Killer Football.
The 30s of the last century. In China’s leading cities, power is divided by gangs that are controlled by everyone, including the police. Among all these gangs, there is a leading gang, the most dangerous and ruthless, and they call themselves "Axes". They look pretty scary, gangster-like. A black tuxedo, a fitted suit, and a well sharpened axe on his belt. Everyone trembles as they pass, but there are places where no dal before this gang. But the circumstances are such that the gang once visited one of these neighborhoods, but they don't know what they're dealing with. In this city, every second has the skill of kung fu.
Stephen Chow. In my opinion, the most brilliant director and actor. In the early 2000s, he became famous for the mind-blowing comedy Killer Football. I think almost everyone has watched this amazing comedy, because every year it is played on different channels. So, in Killer Football, Stephen Chow combined kung fu and football, and as a result, we witnessed a killer spectacle, a real masterpiece. And here. Three years later, he presents us with another masterpiece. Which is also filled with amazing action. The plot of the film is quite simple, but the climax is very long and interesting, and the film is equipped with a strong drama. High-level acting. Stephen Chow assembled the same team that played in his previous film. Why? It is always easier to work with trusted people, especially when they have already shown themselves well. So it was nice to see everyone again, some of whom I didn’t immediately recognize. For example, a goalkeeper, and the one who looks like Broeus Lee. Well, in this film, he got the role of the main villain, which he certainly coped with.
Also very pleased with the camera work. The fighting scenes are beautifully shot. The picture is also amazing, however, as the previous film by Stephen Chow.
To conclude, Stephen Chow is one of the best comedians of our time. His comedies are so funny that you can lose your mind when watching them. These comedies can be watched at any age. There’s nothing wrong with the movie.
In my opinion, one of the best comedies of the past decade, I think those who have watched will undoubtedly agree with me.
I’ve watched Kung Fu Showdown more than 8 times and laughed like crazy every time, as well as the first time. This is what distinguishes the cult comedy from others.
'Kung Fu Disassembly' - a chic film. Exactly, gorgeous. And it really is. This movie got into my head and lives there. This movie has excellent special effects (including sound), cool editing and makeup. Now for more details:
I love the dialogue of the heroes. Sometimes, their phrases are just funny jokes, and sometimes... The wisest philosophy. I've disassembled this film from quotes, for example: 'Hmm, so what?' or ' Some of the weaklings gathered here' I use them at the right time.
The music left a pleasant impression. Such airy and light, which undoubtedly emphasizes the already chic atmosphere.
Fights here do not particularly stand out among other films of the Wuxia genre (adventure genre of Chinese fantasy, which focuses on the demonstration of martial arts). But, nevertheless, there are a couple of fresh tricks that I remember well.
The actors did the right thing. I really liked the variety and thoughtfulness of the characters. Everyone can be different.
Excellent comedy, both for family or in the company of friends, and for watching alone.
The film is definitely worth your attention, because such a humorous thrash with excellent special effects is still necessary to look for. Here your attention will be provided with excellent humor, and kung fu fights in the spirit of Jackie Chan, and the superpower of "Asterix and Obelix" and the real thrash, in all its manifestations: from cutting off the legs and head to urinating on the enemy's face. If it does not scare you away, but on the contrary, it is interesting, then the film is for you.
Personally, I was pleased, or rather even touched, the love line of the film about a deaf-mute girl and a guy who wanted to save her, but he did not succeed, and his fate until a certain point was not the best way. Their subsequent meeting touches everyone.
Otherwise, the genre of Chinese fighting games is not mine, and during the long fights I was bored. Although they are very original. In general, it is up to you to “watch or not”, but a good rating for the film is deserved.
8 out of 10
A wonderful film that will be interesting for both children and adults. It's such a fighting tale. In the film a lot of interesting details and funny twists, the fantasy of the writer and director works 100%! The first time I watched 10 years ago, yesterday I revised it again, and although in some places I remembered the plot almost a frame in a frame, it was still not boring.
I caught myself thinking that Hollywood shoots such pictures, sometimes mixing comedy with pathos and moralism, but the Chinese succeeded in an ironic easy option where nothing is imposed. This, however, does not mean that the picture does not make sense - just its presentation was carried out competently in accordance with the laws of the genre.
The footage is beautiful and dynamic, fights with a good production, and some are quite extraordinary, with unexpected moves and completion. And the film itself claims to be original, otherwise it would have long been forgotten.
Two points, perhaps, will be removed only for a severed leg at the beginning of the film, and even the head of one of the masters. Of course, there was no accent, and besides it is Asian cinema, but anyway, it is too naturalistic to show children.
8 out of 10