Kung Fu Hustle 2005

In the sweltering streets of 1940s Shanghai, two small-time crooks, Sing (character) and Bone, nurse a burning ambition to join the notorious Axe Gang, led by the chillingly ruthless Brother Sum. In their quest for acceptance, they descend upon Pigsty Alley, a rundown slum where they masquerade as Axe members in an attempt to extort its inhabitants. Their charade eventually catches the attention of the real gang, prompting a confrontation that culminates in a stunning display of kung fu prowess by three of the slum’s tenants: Coolie, Tailor, and Donut, whose true identities as masters of the ancient art are quickly revealed.

However, the Landlady of Pigsty Alley, fearing retribution from the Axe Gang, takes drastic measures to evict these unexpected heroes. Meanwhile, Sing and Bone find themselves at the mercy of Brother Sum, who captures them intending to make an example out of them for their impertinence. In a daring escape, they narrowly avoid certain doom, impressing Brother Sum with their cunning.

Sing’s recollections of his childhood are triggered when he reflects on the vagrant who tricked him into buying a martial arts pamphlet, leaving him heartbroken and broke. The pamphlet’s Buddhist Palm technique became an obsession for Sing, which he later attempted to use in a futile bid to save a mute girl named Fong from bullies. Instead, he found himself on the receiving end of their brutality, leading him to conclude that heroes never win and resolve to become a villain.

As Sing and Bone plot their next move, they set their sights on the Landlady, but their attempt at murder goes awry, and they are forced to flee in disarray. In a mysterious turn of events, Sing’s injuries mysteriously heal while he sits atop a traffic pulpit, his thoughts consumed by his own bitter past.

Meanwhile, Brother Sum seeks vengeance against Pigsty Alley, hiring two enigmatic Harpists armed with an ancient guzheng capable of channeling mystical energy. They successfully eliminate the three masters, but are ultimately defeated by the Landlady and her husband, the Landlord, who reveal themselves to be skilled fighters in their own right.

Sing’s frustration reaches a boiling point as he attempts to steal from an ice cream vendor, only to discover that she is none other than Fong, now grown and offering him a lollipop as a symbol of redemption. The painful reminder of his past failure sends Sing fleeing in shame. Brother Sum, undeterred by Sing’s setbacks, offers him a path to immediate gang membership if he can utilize his lock-picking skills to free the legendary assassin known as the Beast from its mental asylum confines.

With a mix of trepidation and determination, Sing takes on the challenge, ultimately succeeding in releasing the Beast back into the Axe Gang’s headquarters.

As Brother Sum’s initial reservations about the Beast’s carefree demeanor and disheveled appearance give way to awe, he bears witness to the latter’s extraordinary display of heroism as they intercept a bullet in mid-air. The Beast’s unconventional introduction is soon followed by a confrontation with the Landlady and Landlord at the adjacent casino, which culminates in a stalemate. However, when Sing, fueled by his misguided convictions, launches a counterattack against the Beast, he is met with a fierce retaliation. In the ensuing chaos, the Landlady and Landlord seize the opportunity to whisk away the unconscious Sing, leaving the Beast to claim dominance over the Axes.

Meanwhile, at Pigsty Alley, the unlikely duo tend to Sing’s wounds, only to be astonished by his remarkable recovery. The perceptive Landlady uncovers a hidden talent - Sing is, in fact, a natural-born kung fu prodigy. Empowered by this newfound proficiency, Sing effortlessly dismantles the Axes before turning his attention to the Beast. Employing the ancient Buddhist Palm technique, Sing successfully neutralizes his opponent, prompting the Beast to concede defeat.

As the dust settles, Sing and Bone join forces to open a sweet shop, proudly bearing Fong’s iconic lollipop as their logo. Fong himself pays a visit to Sing at his new venture, and the pair share a heartfelt reunion. In a poignant postscript, the vagrant who first introduced Sing to the world of kung fu can be seen outside, peddling an assortment of pamphlets - a testament to the enduring power of inspiration.