Steven Chow directs this action laden martial arts comedy. I loved it and laughed all the way through. The odd, dysfunctional characters were so funny (and well acted) that I just got into the whole spoof, relaxed and enjoyed. The dubbed voices seem to really match up well to their respective characters.Sing (Steven Chow) stars as a loser hoodlum that gets in the middle of a rivalry between the Axe Gang (a group he hopes to join) and a couple of odd, married landlords who turn out to be Kung Fu masters in disguise. It is the latter duo that simply steals the show. The big showdown comes at the end when a newly, reinvented martial artist (Chow), challenges the ultimate Kung Fu bad guy, the Beast! A comical, fun battle begins and ends with a powerful thump guaranteed to blow out a lesser subwoofer!

The fight sequences are well executed, visceral and comical all at the same time. The landlords are hilarious (particularly the yelling attack of the land lady)! Coupled with some powerful sound effects and visuals, this movie delivers on all levels. This is a classic flick for me, and I am happy to own it. The acting here is first rate in terms of eliciting laughs. The characters are hilarious in that each has their own humorous idiosyncrasies that make them so uniquely entertaining when on screen. The film’s finale which showcases the best Kung Fu powers of each of the characters mixes shear drama with out an out laughs and a powerhouse soundtrack. I enjoyed this immensely!

Video

This 2.40 aspect release is excellent. Colors are well saturated in most scenes, but subjectively lack some vibrancy throughout some of the presentation. The dilapidated hotel setting comes across beautifully with rich details but, again, with somewhat muted colors. Contrast is also very good on this disc. Black levels are deep and much detail is preserved throughout. Some film grain is noticed in a few scenes but is not distracting at all to the picture. Much of the time, the film is clean and razor sharp! I did not find any egregious compression artifacts or edge enhancements. The film has only a few softer scenes but mostly things are very sharp. This is a great looking disc! The presentation here is excellent and is adding to the trend of better and better looking Blu-ray titles.

Audio

This film is one sonic tour de force. Recorded level allowed for viewing at -2 from THX reference. As I watched the dubbed 5.1 Dolby Digital version, dialog was not well integrated and as clear (as I’d expect) but certainly good enough not to be distraction after getting used to the overlaid voices. Dialog was very natural and held up well to reference level viewing (e.g. no hard edge). Surround activity is intense with a lot going on in the sound field. At times a 3-D environment is created with the sounds of the over the top martial arts moves. Active and often is the best description of surround activity (and bass for that matter). Dynamic range is also potent with deep, piercing thuds and bodies crashing about during the many fight scenes. Bass is deep and powerful. I would say subjectively to below 20 Hz and loud. This is a film that may overload a few lesser subs. The film’s finale with the sustained bass sequence is so powerful and violent, I found myself nervously eyeing my sub amplifier’s clip meters. Very potent bass! This is a reference audio track. This film will reward those with seat transducers!

Special Features

All of the Special Features included on this discs are presented in standard definition:

• Audio Commentary with Cast and Crew: 2nd audio track with Steven Chow and other actors.
• Deleted Scenes: 3 deleted scenes (Pig Sty, Community Meeting, Meeting Brother Sun).
• Behind the Scenes Featurette: Made for TV short that tells about the making of Kung Fu Hustle and interviews with the various actors.
• Ric Meyers Interview with Steven Chow: A candid one on one interview with Ric Meyers interviewing Steven Chow on his life, breakthroughs and film chronology.
• Outtakes and Bloopers: Botched scenes with funny one liners, forgotten lines, and other bloopers not making it to the film.
• Previews: Previews of XXX, Underworld: Evolution and Resident Evil: Apocalypse.

Final Thoughts

What more can I say, we have a decent load of extras to peruse, the film is funny and the characters are ones you can really get into. This film was a real surprise to me as I expected to be a dull spoof that would not translate well to the American market. I was wrong. You get a great story, a great looking disc, a reference soundtrack and some extras to peek at. What more do you want. Highly Recommended!!!