I haven't been to a martial arts movie for a long time. The previews to the show were cool-- A mix of happening moves choreographed with jammin' music and funny lines a.k.a. old-school slapstick-- so I had to check it out.
The story is that a big loser and his side kick want to be a part of the Axe Gang, the biggest, baddest gang in the streets of Shanghai. They encounter a bitchy landlady and her two-timing husband, plus a mix of intersting characters that live in their slum neighbhorhool, while attempting to fulfill their initiation into the Axe Gang.
When an important member of the Axe Gang gets killed, the gang is out for revenge. They pit themselves against the surprising kung fu masters in this slum. The loser and his side-kick try to prove themselves to the Axe gang but bungle everything in their path. Although this is a comedy, there are surprisingly potent action scenes and engaging special effects. Think road runner and coyote.
Yet it boils downt to this-- there is only one living soul that can truly rid the land of the Axe gang. Who could it be? A lost son? An unsuspecting kung fu master? You'll have to see it to believe it.
Worth the money rating: $$$$
