Stephen Chow has problems. He's one of Asia's biggest stars but he has subject matters that seem too flimsy for his versatile personality. So what's the solution? Make them edgy, or garnish his ideas with deep and troubled characters, which can sometimes be negative. What he does, is add zang and plenty of people getting seven shades of Asia beaten out of them in his latest offering - Kung Fu Hustle.

The man who brought you Shaolin Soccer, the kung fu versus premiership rumble, is back with a film that blends immiscible themes akin to an oil/water/fire combo. But there is talent here, something reminiscent of the Coen brothers in their complexity and setting up camp in leftfield.

The multi-talented Chow directs and he does that well. He writes and he does that well. As the lead, Sing, he does that very well as he morphs into a comedian that can and will split your sides (and I'm not just talking about laughter) Set in pre-revolution China, Kung Fu Hustle is a brutal take on gang warfare within a seemingly peaceful community. Despite Matrix-esquire choreography and special effects, the film remains serene in a child-like way. Chow clearly had fun writing and performing in what is essentially a comedy.

We witness a turf war erupt between the Axe Gang and the residents of Pig Sty Alley, neither of which are clever names, as the Axe Gang begin by chopping and scalping and the residents rise from their squalor and use their combat aptitudes to complete the David and Goliath analogy. Sing and his overweight bumbling sidekick are caught in the middle as he pretends to be a member of the Axe Gang and helps the feud escalate.

In all Kung Fu Hustle succeeds because it does what it says on the tin. It is a well envisaged roller coaster of a movie that has naïve comedic value and almost lends the film innocence. This is blended surprisingly well without glitches as comedy turns to brutal violence in some amazing set pieces that see people hacked, kicked, slapped and musically destroyed in one of the closing scenes (you'll see what I mean).

The characters are well thought out and lend their own comedy and fighting skills to the setup. Note the chain smoking landlady and the song and dance routines that on the surface seem ludicrous but add bonus comedy value as you know someone is about to have their teeth cut out or met with the 'Hand of God'- a brilliant scene that ends the film.

Another worthy attempt by Mr Chow, creating 95 minutes of well thought (and fought) out, thoughtless action! Phew