Mmmkay. Here's the thing. Mike Newell directed it. Chalk up one point. It takes steps towards more serious themes, and away from magical twinkle land. Of course, the last movie did that. But Goblet continues the trend. Another point. I found myself invested in the characters. +1. Finally, there was a brilliant scene. Can once scene make the movie? I think it did. When Harry returns from the maze, there is celebration juxtaposed with grief. There is mass confusion. I was shocked to see such an emotionally mature scene in a Harry Potter movie. +1. But I shouldn't have been- Mike Newell directed it.
I felt I had enough exposure to kung fu movies (nothing like Quentin Tarantino or other hard-core, well, let's face it, nerds) to make a sound call on the fight scenes, and as far as making me laugh, I say bring it on. Other films have attempted to blend kung fu and humor, to enormous critical acclaim. Oh, did I say acclaim? My fault. I meant to say ridicule. Anyone remember 3 Ninjas? Beverly Hills Ninja? Kung Pow? Me neither.
But sweet sassy molassy, I'll be remebering Hustle for a long, long time. For two reasons: I was laughing hysterically and it was so, so, incredibly odd. Not freaky odd. Not scary odd. Just an odd combination of respectable fighting, cartoony, Three Stooges humor, and overblown melodrama. The oddest thing is, it is readily apparent that the movie was intended to be made exactly the way it was. The oddity is not in the translation to American culture. We aren't laughing at cultural differences. We aren't laughing at bad filmmaking, either. It's no Crouching Tiger, but the story, editing, and acting all make a tidy package. No, we laugh because the director wanted us to laugh.
Synopsis: a ruthless Chinese gang tries to pick on a poor back alley community, only to discover that it is inhabited by kung fu masters. The man responsible for the clash, a castaway who gets no respect from either side, ultimately finds his place.
My favorite moment: The Roadrunner and Wil E. Coyote tribute, in which a landlady chases a bum down a highway, legs in a circular blur, in true cartoon fashion.
SEE IT!!
Not in order.
Not of all time, just my current favorites. Changes with my mood.