In Shanghai, China in the 1940s, a wannabe gangster aspires to join the notorious "Axe Gang" while residents of a housing complex exhibit extraordinary powers in defending their turf.In Shanghai, China in the 1940s, a wannabe gangster aspires to join the notorious "Axe Gang" while residents of a housing complex exhibit extraordinary powers in defending their turf.In Shanghai, China in the 1940s, a wannabe gangster aspires to join the notorious "Axe Gang" while residents of a housing complex exhibit extraordinary powers in defending their turf.
- Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 25 wins & 47 nominations total
- Crocodile Gang Boss
- (as Feng Xiao Gang)
- Donut
- (as Zhi Hua Dong)
- Brother Sum
- (as Danny Chan)
- Bone (Sing's Sidekick)
- (as Lam Tze Chung)
- Beggar
- (as Cheng Yan Yuen)
- Inspector Chan
- (as Zhang Yi Bai)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBruce Lee Tribute: When the Landlady is seated between the Boss and his assistant, she faces the boss, and mimics the gestures Bruce Lee used while also facing a crime boss in Return of the Dragon. She wags her finger at him, then closes both fists, then just the right (while knuckles cracking can be heard), she jerks her head up, and the boss nods he understands, then she thumbs her nose, exactly like Bruce Lee.
- GoofsWhen Coolie takes on the Axe Gang alone, before the tailor joins in, an Axe Gang member takes a perfect unblocked swing at Coolie's back, realizes that Coolie can't block it, and runs away.
- Quotes
Barber: Why don't you train us to be top fighters... and we'll avenge them!
Landlady: Becoming a top fighter takes time, unless you're a natural-born kung-fu genius, and they're 1 in a million.
Barber: [Does martial arts routine] It's obvious I'm the one.
Landlady: [immediately punches him in the face] Don't think so.
- Alternate versionsThe version released in Spain took a few artistic licenses when it was dubbed. Giving each character a different accent from each region of Spain or from other parts of the world.
- Sing has a Madrid accent and also the street slang.
- His partner has Catalan accent.
- The landlord and his wife have an Andalusian accent.
- The Ax Gang Vice General has an Argentine accent.
- The Crocodile Gang Boss has a Mexican accent.
- Donut has the accent of a Chinese person trying to speak in Spanish.
- The Two Harpist have a French accent.
- The Beast has an Italian accent.
- And some neighbors of "Pig Sty Alley" have a Galician accent.
- SoundtracksZhi Yao Wei Ni Huo Yi Tian
Composed by Liu Jie Chang
Lyrics by Lin Huang Kun
Performed by Huang Sheng Yi
Arranged by Ying-Wah Wong (as Raymond Wong)
Although there was not much to the story, it was not non-existent, either. There was a simple story happening which made sense for what we were watching. Even the jokes with the subtitles came across as funny, and from my experience, humor does not translate as easily as this movie would have you believe. It borrowed or spoofed a bit from Spider-Man and The Matrix as well, which was a bit unexpected for this film, initially. At least for me.
To be honest, I could enjoy this movie without sound or subtitles, too. It was that appealing to the eye. It would be a good background movie for a party or poker game which could catch your eye at any moment and still hold your attention. It could also be great if you feel like a good comedy. I was entertained throughout and even though I was dead tired when I saw it in the theater, it held my interest all the way to the end. 9/10
- BraveHawk
- Apr 23, 2005
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- Kung Fu Hustle
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $20,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $17,108,591
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $269,225
- Apr 10, 2005
- Gross worldwide
- $104,882,445
- Runtime1 hour 39 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
- 2.35 : 1