Kung Fu Hustle           
            
Remember when “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” came out, and everyone was amazed by how stunningly beautiful today’s technology had made martial arts films? Did you see the following “Hero” or “House of Flying Daggers?”

Maybe you never paid attention. Or the love stories were too sappy for your taste, or you hate subtitles. Well, it’s time to stop making excuses, because Stephen Chow’s hilarious “Kung Fu Hustle,” is showing this week at the Somerville Theatre, and you can’t miss it.

“Kung Fu Hustle” is the result of Kung Fu action, Looney Tunes slapstick, and modern visual effects put into a blender and pureed. It’s all creamy, fluffy fun, with a flavor for everyone.

Sing (Chow) and his chubby sidekick (Chi Chung Lam) want desperately to be members of the Hatchet Gang, who rule a 40’s era Shanghai. While trying to prove their worth to the Gang, they get tangled up with the residents of Pig Sty Alley. But no one in this little slum is quite what he or she seems.

The plot isn’t all that riveting, but that’s not the point. The fun in this movie isn’t what happens in the story. All you need to do is enjoy what’s happening on the screen.

The characters aren’t very deep or individualized, either. Names such as Landlady (Qiu Yuen) simply identify the stereotype that the characters fill. But Chow takes full advantage of the opportunity for laughs, and Landlady’s ubiquitous cigarette and hair-rollers turn into humor instead of remaining hackneyed character traits.

“Kung Fu Hustle” has something for everyone, as the fact that it is the highest-grossing film of all time in Hong Kong history shows. The likeability of the film transfers over to a Western audience as well.

But you don’t like subtitles? Don’t worry, some of the jokes are in English. And the visual gags are allude to popular Western culture as well as Asian.

What do you mean you don’t like violence? Just think of the fight scenes as musical numbers. It isn’t difficult to do. With the brassy music, bright colors, and silly characters, it’s practically vaudeville. And the fights are choreographed, after all.

So go ahead and indulge yourself. Finally respond to hyperbolic martial arts films the way you’ve always wanted to. Laugh! “Kung Fu Hustle” laughs right along with you.