
Kung Pow: Enter the Fist
Seen it?2002 | 81 min | Comedy, Action, Adventure
Why it’s a Weeknight Watch
It's still drawing plenty of interest, but just 13% on Rotten Tomatoes held it back. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh and action fans. If you loved Alita: Battle Angel or Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, start here. Audiences love it more than critics do: a crowd-pleaser first.
- The mood
- Light and funny.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 21 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
- Critics were cooler on it than audiences.
A movie within a movie, created to spoof the martial arts genre. Writer/director Steve Oedekerk uses contemporary characters and splices them into a 1970s kung-fu film, weaving the new and old together. As the main character, The Chosen One, Oedekerk sets off to avenge the deaths of his parents at the hands of kung-fu legend Master Pain. Along the way he encounters some strange characters.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsWeak
13% on Rotten Tomatoes, 14 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.6 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$17 million worldwide on a $10 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 219K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Alita: Battle AngelSaturday SpecialAnother superhero action film, and a Saturday Special.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsSaturday SpecialAnother superhero action film, and a Saturday Special.
Charlie's AngelsWeeknight WatchAnother martial arts action comedy, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Shanghai NoonSunday Safe BetAnother martial arts adventure, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessSunday Safe BetAnother superhero action film, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Steve Oedekerk
- Steve OedekerkThe Chosen One
- Lung FeiMaster Pain (Betty) (archive footage)
- Leo LeeYoung Master Pain
- Hsieh Ling-lingLing (archive footage)
- Lau Kar-WingWimp Lo (archive footage)
- Lin YanDying Ling
- Chen Hui-LouMaster Tang (archive footage)
- Jennifer TungWhoa
- Ming LoFather
- Peggy LuMother