When one watched the trailer of kung fu hustle, one realised that one could expect an intelligent movie that parodied the kung fu movies of yore.

And when i watched the movie, i got much more! it is a sort of - parody as well as a tribute - a wonderful mix of over the top and subtlety.

Stephen Chow's character is nicely underplayed and subtle. the references to other films are delightful. the best one for me was the scene where one of the slum dweller's is dying and the landlord and landlady are mourning over him. and the guy, while dying, says..."what are you willing to do!" in English!! and the landlord and landlady reply in Chinese "why are you speaking in English, we can't understand you" while still crying. the obvious reference to "The Untouchables" where Sean Connery exalts in the same way to Kevin Costner is just hilarious.

To know that the film is funny when watching it with subtitles makes you appreciate how funny it must be in the original language.

special effects and sub plots too are very interesting. all in all it is a film that can be watched just to enjoy the visual spectacle as well as by the cinema goer who seeks out the subtleties of cinema.

A good entertainer. In his day Jackie Chan came up with some wonderful rib ticklers that mixed kung fu with slapstick and over the top acting and situations. And although this cannot compare totally to his achievements considering the time they were made...it definitely is a good movie on its own.

One of the few movies that stands out in originality, creativity and brash "in your face" attitude among its contemporaries.