Kung Pow: Enter the Fist Review
by Rose 'Bams' Cooper (bams AT 3blackchicks DOT com)January 31st, 2002
'3BlackChicks Review...'
KUNG POW!: ENTER THE FIST (2002)
Rated PG-13; running time 81 minutes
Studios: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Martial Arts parody
Seen at: Celebration Cinema (Lansing, Michigan)
Official site: http://www.kungpowmovie.com/
IMDB site: http://us.imdb.com/Details?0240468
Written by: Steve Oedekerk
Directed by: Steve Oedekerk
Cast: Steve Oedekerk, Tad Horino, Philip Tan, Jennifer Tung
Review Copyright Rose Cooper, 2002
Review URL: http://www.3blackchicks.com/2002reviews/bamskungpow.html
I'll be good and won't mention that KUNG POW!: ENTER THE FIST writer, director, and star Steve Oedekerk is partially responsible for bringing audiences everywhere that Cinematic Gem, PATCH ADAMS.
Oops.
THE STORY (WARNING: **spoilers contained below**)
Not that it really mattered, but... KUNG POW!: ENTER THE FIST spoofs badly-dubbed B-grade Kung Fu movies; specifically, in this case, a serious movie called SAVAGE KILLERS (TIGER AND CRANE FISTS), which Steve Oedekerk purchased the rights to and spliced himself into, redubbing the dialogue for humorous effect.
Ostensibly, the remixed story revolves around The Chosen One (Oedekerk), avenging the death of his parents against the sadistic Master Pain, who for some bizarre reason (in Oedekerk's world) wants to be called "Betty". Oedekerk seemingly makes the rest up as he goes along.
THE UPSHOT
Actually, I have to give KUNG POW!: ENTER THE FIST credit: it wasn't as bad as I feared it would be, after seeing the trailers (more on that in a minute). I was convinced, going in, that I'd be tearing my natty dreads out before the movie was over. To my surprise, I almost liked this movie. I found myself laughing, even briefly guffawing along with the audience, a time or two, finally giving in to the fact that I wasn't being tortured for a little more than an hour watching this flick.
But I've seen Leslie Nielsen before. Steve Oedekerk, you're no Les Nielsen. As the star of parodies like the very funny (in their time) AIRPLANE! and POLICE SQUAD, Nielsen had this goofy way about him while playing his roles deadpan serious, that made those movies fun to watch. Likewise, a Jackie Chan has not only humor, but the technical skills to pull off movies which make light of their genre. Watching the outtakes in the end credits, only serves to make the comparison between Chan and Oedekerk stand out all the more.
By contrast, Oedekerk relied too heavily on initially humorous (and intentional) bad dubbing, nonsense phrases and noises, and hit-and-miss sight gags, to take him through 81 minutes. There was not nearly enough meat on "Pow's" bones to keep anyone laughing throughout without falling back on tricks that MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 picked up and abandoned long ago. The first time "Ling" makes those squeaky sounds, you laugh. After the fifth time, you're ready to smash something.
Gotta give Oedekerk props for trying; for a remix, it wasn't too bad. Nothing to rush out to see, but if there's nothing on TV, your A-list movie is sold out, and you've read all the 3BC reviews you were behind on, KUNG POW!: ENTER THE FIST might be worth checking out. Too bad that the trailers gave too much away, though. Anyone who's seen the "Matrix"-spoofing cow scene in the trailers, will be disappointed by having already seen one of the funniest bits of the movie, before they even took their seat in the theater.
BAMMER'S BOTTOM LINE
Good try, Oedekerk, but, er, not quite. MST3K gone Kung Fooey, KUNG POW!: ENTER THE FIST makes you chuckle for a bit, but leaves you hungry an hour later.
KUNG POW!: ENTER THE FIST rating: flashing yellowlight
Rose "Bams" Cooper
Webchick and Editor,
3BlackChicks Review
Entertainment Reviews With Flava!
Copyright Rose Cooper, 2002
EMAIL: [email protected]
http://www.3blackchicks.com/
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