I rarely ever watch a movie more than once. Even in the case of movies that I’ve raved about don’t inspire me to watch them over. That said there have been a handful movies that have hit all the right notes with me and brought me back for another viewing.
Kung Fu Hustle is one of those movies. In addition to watching the film multiple times, I’ve replayed enough clips of the wacky, slapstick Chinese film from Stephen Chow to have watched the movie dozens of times over.
There are several personal favorite scenes of the movie that bring me way too much enjoyment, but there are three scenes in particular that no matter what mood I am in, I am always in the mood to watch it..
I enjoy all three scenes pretty equally, so I’ll put out a trio of posts to feature each. As to not play any favorites (and to spare the scenes’ feelings), I’ll post each in the order of when they appear in the movie.
That Scene Where Coolie, Tailor, and Baker Bust Up the Axe Gang
This first scene comes early in the movie as the Axe gang threatens to light a mother and her small child aflame if he doesn’t get the answers he’s looking for. The leader of the Axe gang forces the hands (and legs) of three “normal” villagers to step forward (“coolie,” tailor, and baker) to defend their village, exposing their identities as undercover kung fu masters:
Oh man, that’s good. Now I’m not saying Kung Fu Hustle should go down in the annals of movie history (it did, however, get a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes), but man you have to admit that’s damn good.
My favorite part of the favorite scene? When the Axe gang push the supposedly-weak and cowardly tailor too far and the old man turns into a bruising, muscular bad ass kicking every and all butts within a 20 yard radius.
(hits replay)