Kung Fu Hustle 20 years later.

  Stephen Chow is an absolute genius of Chinese and Hong Kong cinema, and a perfector of action-comedy, and nothing reflects this perhaps quite as well as in his 2004 masterpiece Kung Fu Hustle. It is a hilarious yet exhilarating and enthralling tale set in 1940s Shanghai, and I think Chow does a good job at portraying a setting at this time. Every element of this film works in perfect coordination and is executed in masterful beauty: the notable traditional Chinese soundtrack, the exquisite cinematography, cartoonish editing and the elaborate sets and costumes all help to display both the incredible directing, and the acute talent of the director himself.

The film follows the endeavours of a large group of shantytown residents as they reject the oppressive influence of the notorious Axe Head. The Landlady of the town- played by martial arts hero Yuen Qiu- and her husband- by Yuen Wah- are revealed as being none other than world-renowned. Meanwhile, our unlikely protagonist- played by Stephen Chow himself- seeks out his place in a life of crime, but is quickly dissuaded from following that path, revealing himself instead as none other than our eventual hero. Stephen Chow is a polymath when it comes to the arts and he always manages to cast himself as the protagonist of his films, and in this case both the director, producer and co-writer as well. His film blends both outlandishly comical elements, intense action, and a hint of emotion and his style of directing was fully embodied in his 2004 work which, personally, I would regard his most excellent film, greater even perhaps than his hit 2001 movie Shaolin Soccer.

Perhaps as a result of this film, the association of gang culture with Shanghai has become quite the meme throughout China, accentuating into a fluctuation of online jokes. The Axe-Gang certainly embodies, if not outdoes, the dangerous reputation of gangs in America and elsewhere, each member being equipped with a lethal axe and donning a black attire. The gang seems to hold authority over the city, and even its law enforcement forces, emphasizing the corruption of 1940's China, and perhaps subtly modern China as well. The Axe-Gang are seen as the sole gang in Shanghai, with a rigid hierarchy and unethical practices, promising to wipe out any rivals, such as the gang depicted at the very start of the movie. 

The sheer success, prosperity and relative wealth of Axe-Gang members might seem attractive to many of the poorer residents- most notably Sing (the protagonist) himself- but the rich sense of community in the poorest areas of Shanghai- like Pigsty Alley, and their relative safety, has fostered a strong animosity towards the gang. Besides, the residents are well off enough on their own, even without the fierce overwatch of the Landlady over Pigsty. The poverty of Pigsty Alley is represented in a largely positive light, with the main imposing threat being that of the Landlady herself.