I first discovered Kung Fu Hustle in January of 2005, while watching a trailer shown before the movie The House of Flying Daggers. As I cracked up watching the preview, I though it really distinguished itself from most films in the Martial Arts genre by fusing slapstick comedy with action packed fighting. I also remember thinking that the film's unique recipe could indefinitely become a success by appealing to the American movie going masses.After researching the film, I learned that Kung Fu Hustle's star Stephen Chow isn't only the leading actor, but also the writer, director and producer. Additionally, Chow also created and directed the 2001 cult classic 'Shaolin Soccer, which remains the top-grossing film in Hong Kong history. Yet despite the popularity of ''Shaolin Soccer" and his more than 50 other consistently successful films released in his home land of China, Chow remains unknown to American movie audiences. With Kung Fu Hustle, Chow is getting his first chance to win over the mainstream American audience he so desperately desires. And along with good reviews and the attention drawn from prime time commercials, the film promises to be a success in America. Inspired by his childhood love for martial arts flicks, Stephen Chow plays "Sing", a Shanghai youth in the 1930's seeking to become a member of the murderous, top-hat wearing, Axe Gang. To initiate himself, he practices acting tough around the streets of Pig Sty Alley; a dingy urban area ran by the Landlady (Yuen Qiu). The mean old battle-ax, who sports curlers and a housedress, is vicious to anyone who would defy her including the tenants, and her husband (played by Yuen Wah). Sing, who's all brawns and no brains, is assigned to tame the killing machine known as the Beast (Leung Siu-lung). The result is a showdown between the Axe Gang and the tenement folk, which in time forces martial-arts retirees with long-time conflicts out into the open. For a hysterical and acrobatic karate movie experience, go check out Kung Fu Hustle, which opens nation wide, this Friday, April 22nd.