Kung Fu Hustle (2004) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
It's the 1940s, and the notorious Axe Gang terrorizes Shanghai. Small-time criminals Sing and Bone hope to join, but they only manage to make lots of very dangerous enemies. Fortunately for them, kung fu masters and hidden strength can be found in unlikely places. Now they just have to take on the entire Axe Gang.
Rated R • 2004 • 1h 39m
Kung Fu Hustle is rated R mainly for its frequent, stylized but often brutal kung-fu violence and mature themes of gang brutality and humiliation. Parents should be aware of many on-screen fight deaths (some shown in stylized or shadow form), a few disturbing visual bits (a man’s head twisting, a decapitation shown as a shadow, a cat sliced in half as a silhouette), brief nudity/brief toilet humor, and pervasive cigarette smoking. The… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Kung Fu Hustle appropriate for kids?
Kung Fu Hustle is rated R mainly for its frequent, stylized but often brutal kung-fu violence and mature themes of gang brutality and humiliation. Parents should be aware of many on-screen fight deaths (some shown in stylized or shadow form), a few disturbing visual bits (a… Read more — free account
Content severity in Kung Fu Hustle
What happens in Kung Fu Hustle, moment by moment
- 0:02 ⚔ Violence & Gore 7/10
- 0:05 🔥 Mature Themes 7/10
- 0:06 ⚔ Violence & Gore 7/10
Sex and nudity in Kung Fu Hustle
Mild and played for comic effect. IMDb Parents Guide notes a couple of shots of a young mans buttocks and one brief on-screen moment of a man defecating; there are also some crude sexual references and innuendo but no explicit sex or nudity. None of the sexual bits are prolonged or graphically filmed.
Violence and gore in Kung Fu Hustle
Frequent, stylized but intense kung-fu violence throughout—this is the main reason for the R rating. IMDbs guide documents an opening ax killing, shotgun wounds, a man whose back is broken (foam from his mouth), a 360-degree head twist that kills a character, and shadowed decapitation/cutting of a cat; many fights mix slapstick with realistic-seeming injury. Scenes range from non-graphic blood and spit to clearly lethal outcomes and large-scale, visually heightened massacre sequences during the final battles.
Language in Kung Fu Hustle
Relatively mild for an R movie, mostly subtitled insults and crude words. IMDb notes limited uses of words like "ass," one or two harsher expletives and an instance of the word "piss." Swearing is occasional and often in fast-paced group/riot scenes.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Kung Fu Hustle
Tobacco and casual drinking are present. The landlady (and other adult characters) are frequently shown with lit cigarettes and characters are seen drinking at the casino; the protagonist is shown scavenging for cigarettes. No sustained drug use or overdose scenes are depicted.
Mature themes in Kung Fu Hustle
Strong themes of gang violence, intimidation, revenge and public humiliation recur across the film. The Axe Gangs terrorizing of neighborhoods, the capture and attempted killing of characters, child bullying (including a boy being beaten and urinated on) and scenes set in a grim mental asylum are emotionally intense and drive the protagonists arc toward redemption. Death, loss of loved ones, and the moral consequences of violence are central to the story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kung Fu Hustle appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Kung Fu Hustle is best for ages 13+. It's rated R. Kung Fu Hustle is rated R mainly for its frequent, stylized but often brutal kung-fu violence and mature themes of gang brutality and humiliation. Parents should be aware of many on-screen fight deaths (some shown in…
What age rating does Kung Fu Hustle have?
Kung Fu Hustle is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Kung Fu Hustle about?
Kung Fu Hustle is rated R mainly for its frequent, stylized but often brutal kung-fu violence and mature themes of gang brutality and humiliation. Parents should be aware of many on-screen fight deaths (some shown in stylized or shadow form), a few disturbing visual bits (a man’s head twisting, a decapitation shown as…
Is there sex or nudity in Kung Fu Hustle?
Mild and played for comic effect. IMDb Parents Guide notes a couple of shots of a young mans buttocks and one brief on-screen moment of a man defecating; there are also some crude sexual references and innuendo but no explicit sex or nudity. None of the…
How violent is Kung Fu Hustle?
Frequent, stylized but intense kung-fu violence throughout—this is the main reason for the R rating. IMDbs guide documents an opening ax killing, shotgun wounds, a man whose back is broken (foam from his mouth), a 360-degree head twist that kills a…
Is the language in Kung Fu Hustle appropriate for kids?
Relatively mild for an R movie, mostly subtitled insults and crude words. IMDb notes limited uses of words like "ass," one or two harsher expletives and an instance of the word "piss." Swearing is occasional and often in fast-paced group/riot scenes.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Kung Fu Hustle?
Tobacco and casual drinking are present. The landlady (and other adult characters) are frequently shown with lit cigarettes and characters are seen drinking at the casino; the protagonist is shown scavenging for cigarettes. No sustained drug use or overdose…
What mature themes appear in Kung Fu Hustle?
Strong themes of gang violence, intimidation, revenge and public humiliation recur across the film. The Axe Gangs terrorizing of neighborhoods, the capture and attempted killing of characters, child bullying (including a boy being beaten and urinated on) and…
How long is Kung Fu Hustle?
Kung Fu Hustle runs 99 minutes, directed by Stephen Chow, released in 2004.
Where can I read the full Kung Fu Hustle parent guide?
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