MovieChat Forums > Kung fu (2005) Discussion > actually this is a mediocre movie

actually this is a mediocre movie

posted 14 years ago by whoji
48 replies | jump to latest

First of all. I am a Chinese and understand both Chinese Mandarin and Cantonese.

Let me tell you folks here. Most Chinese people will give this movie a bad score. at most mediocre, like 6 out of 10. Most if not all of my chinese friends (some from HK and some from mainland) will think this moive is a huge let down. Not comparable to some earlier Chow's movies in 90s.

I am surprised to find out that this movie is actually well received in foreign region. maybe it's due to cultural difference.

Another movie actually very bad is also well received is "Red Cliff". Most Chinese ppl will give it a 3/10 score. I noticed some fans in US call Red Cliff epic and compare it to LOTR. actually the dialogues is very cheesy and so modern-feel.

anyway, just to point out. i am glad knowing you people like hong kong or chinese movie

[–] azayrahmad 13 years ago

Well then who's giving this movie awards anyway... I thought they are Chinese fellows.

You see, actually you were right. I mean, when I see at reviews of those movies on IMDb, most bad reviews ironically comes from chinese people who speaks chinese language. I think the filmmakers have western audiences in mind, so they aren't bothered with dialogue and language, since western audiences won't understand it anyway.
This is not only happens to Chinese movies, even Hollywood movies sometimes had this kind of problem too. For example is those Disney's movies that are box office flops in US but surprisingly well received in China. Transformers 2 and other Michael Bay's movies which get many negative reviews in US is considered masterpiece in some countries. Apparently they don't see what's considered bad by US audiences. Movies like Troy and Beowulf might receive many bad reviews from US audiences, considering most of them have already learn Homer's Illiad and Beowulf in their school and comparing it with the movies. But foreign audiences might never know what's Illiad and they just see Troy like any other epic and they might like it.

[–] truheart_1 13 years ago

Let me start by saying this movie is easily one of my favorite movies of all time.With that said, I can understand if some Chinese people feel it's mediocre. I'm sure there are many american movies that I think are either terrible or mediocre but are seen in a different way by overseas audiences. To me, this is one of the most entertaining movies I've ever experienced.This is pure entertainment to at it's best.

I've seen hundreds of movies,I've seen so many movies I forget to rate them. My official count is over a thousand movies on IMDB. I'm not saying that to make it seem like I'm an expert on the subject. I'm saying that to highlight the fact that no matter how many movies I've seen, I always come back to this one from time to time. This is a masterpiece of pure entertainment. I don't believe Stephen Chow had any other intentions but to entertain. In my mind he succeeded.

[–] stardama69 13 years ago

That's a really good thread truheart. Same thing happens to me with "Casshern" : I found it awesome beacause refreshing and beautiful, but now I understand why lots of japanese people hate the movie - it must indeed seem very clichee to them.

[–] london777 8 years ago

Movies like Troy and Beowulf might receive many bad reviews from US audiences, considering most of them have already learn Homer's Iliad and Beowulf in their school.
This is the most hilariously deluded comment I have ever read on IMDb.

I guarantee that 95% of Americans have never even heard of the Iliad or Beowulf, let alone learned them in school. Half of them would struggle to master "Frog and Toad Are Friends" by the ninth grade.

[–] christopher-169-407833 13 years ago

Well. Its box office tally made it the highest-grossing film in Hong Kong history, surpassing the previous record holder, Chow's Shaolin Soccer. It won 6 Hong Kong Film Awards and was nominated for 16. It won 5 Golden Horse Awards (best picture eg). It was named Outstanding Film in the 2006 Hundred Flowers Awards.

Back in Shanghai almost every newspaper gave it high scores. And The movies box office in China was one of the best (if not the best) in the world for Kung Fu Hustle.

Red Cliff is also one of the movies on the top of chinese box offices (in China) of all time.

So. No. I think you are wrong in general.

[–] frAnkzOnE 12 years ago

I'm Chinese and I absolutely love this movie, so do almost everyone I know. So much for the "Most Chinese people will give this movie a bad score" crap.

You try too hard bro and you don't represent anyone Chinese or not...

[–] sushifreak-1 12 years ago

I respect your right not to like this film much; however, I love this film and so does my brother and his wife who is Chinese though raised most of her life in America (and speaks Mandarin and Cantonese). The story is beautifully written and has so many interesting quirks (the steady progression of the bad guys, the back story of the main character, the way who exactly is the main character is unknown for longer than most films, the mix of drama/action/humor, and so on and on). It is funny, beautiful, terrific martial arts, and exciting to watch. These are all things I feel about it and don't expect them to change your mind, but to say that all Chinese people have a similar opinion to it as you do is a bit ridiculous. I hated Titanic, but apparently most Americans seem to disagree with me.

[–] rohanseth8 12 years ago

I totally agree with you.
There was a movie made on our country which was loved around the world but to be honest i did not like that movie one single minute(Slumdog Millionaire).
There are a lot of movies that the people of same country do not like but others love it. I myself loved Kung Fu Hustle.

[–] Azarazar007 12 years ago

While I could respect YOUR opinion on the matter, but how can you speak on behalf of whole of China?

[–] Youmoron 12 years ago

Yeah Chinese people gave it such a bad score and review it became the highest grossing film in Chinese cinema Ha ha ha.

This thread is nothing more then some guy who values his opinion over everyone Else's and believes only he is correct.

[–] shootmenowplz1 12 years ago

Kung Fu Hustle is one of the best comedies i have seen in many many years, actually probably ever. Plus, managing to mix that aspect with martial arts and special effects so very effectively should be an excellent lesson to other filmmakers, and to us all. This film is damn near perfect!

[–] LeeSir 11 years ago

Back then his films were aimed towards Hongkies but since Shaolin Soccer did well abroad, Ah Sing aimed this flick at Mainland & International market rather than Hong Kong. Same as Jackie Chan's CZ12. But this doesn't mean in any way that KFH is mediocre. There is nothing wrong with it. It's just different than his previous films, that's all.
Nonetheless Chow Sing Chi's earlier films are funnier than Kung Fu Hustle. Hell, that's the reason this movie exists. That's the only thing i agree with op but let me say it again this is not a mediocre movie!