Michael W
This martial arts movie was great. Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, Hung Yan-yan, Biu Yeun, and the rest of the cast did a great job in this movie. The plot of the movie was action-packed, insane, and dramatic. It's a well choreographed martial arts movie about protecting your home and defending your country. If you haven't seen this movie yet, check it out sometime. It's a must see.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
08/11/24
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Liam D
The movie that made Jet Li (The Bodyguard from Beijing, The Enforcer) into an international superstar with Tsui Hark (Knock Off, We're Going to Eat You) stylish direction to create an historical martial arts movie with some decent comedy
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
03/15/24
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noah g
the fight scenes and stunts are insane
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/07/24
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Matthew B
Best of Movies/TV Series Collection
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
12/19/22
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matthew d
Jet Li is thoughtfully mature and stuns with kung fu action!
Reverence for tradition, kung fu, and China is at the soul of Tsui Hark's Hong Kong martial arts epic Once Upon a Time in China (1991). Vietnamese director and writer Tsui Hark gifted us Jet Li as a kung fu film star with a true classic of Hong Kong cinema with impeccable craftsmanship in Once Upon a Time in China. It's nice that Hark found a home as director for his inspired films in Hong Kong's movie scene. Hark's soul tearing drama is as compelling as the pulse pounding martial arts action sequences.
Chinese lead actor Jet Li is phenomenal as Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung. Li is heartfelt as you can really tell the themes of remaining true to his Chinese roots and tradition greet the world with outstanding kung fu. His calm and collected Master Wong feels wise and fearsome as Li delivers shockingly fast kung fu comparable to Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Chow Yun-fat, Donnie Yen, or Tony Jaa. Jet Li solidifies himself as an instant icon of Hong Kong cinema and martial arts prowess with Once Upon a Time in China.
I absolutely adored Hong Kong actress Rosamund Kwan as the drop dead gorgeous Aunt 13. You feel very sympathetic for how abused Kwan is throughout all this movie, but I was ecstatic to see how loving she portrayed Aunt 13's feelings for Jet Li's Master Wong. They have wonderfully natural chemistry on screen together.
Yuen Biao is funny as the foolish and earnest Leung Foon, but his kung fu is fast and entertaining too. Jacky Cheung is hilarious as the English fluent, Chinese stuttering Buck Teeth So. Kent Cheng Jak-Si is a riot as Porky with impressive kung fu of his own. Lastly, Yen Shi-Kwan is amazing at fighting with his Iron Robe technique as Master Yim.
Cinematographers Arthur Wong Ngok-Tai, Tung-Chuen Chan, David Chung, Wilson Chan, Ardy Lam Kwok-Wah, and Bill Wong Chung-Piu shoot Once Upon a Time in China with a haunting beauty for each dramatic moment in close-ups and medium shots, while also capturing jaw dropping swiftness in wide shots for all the fights. From firelit duels at night to bamboo ladder jumping battles and market street brawls, Once Upon a Time in China has it all.
Hark's action choreography is unreal with hard hitting stunts, which are shot with few cuts from editor Marco Mak Chi-Sin, so that you can really see all the incredible kung fu prowess of the cast and stuntmen. Once Upon a Time in China is cut quickly at a steady pace for a brisk 134 minutes, balancing the breathtaking action sequences with heartfelt drama about China getting overtaken by Western ways.
Writers Tsui Hark, Edward Leung Yiu-Ming, Elsa Tang, and Yuen Gai-Chi craft a complex story about a martial arts master defending China from foreign colonizers from America and England as well as local human sex traffickers alongside his faithful kung fu disciples at his side. It feels timeless with ever relevant feelings of Chinese national pride and respect for their storied past. Once Upon a Time in China reflects on old Chinese values, righteous morals, ancient kung fu philosophies to hold steadfast against the modernization of China.
Composer James Wong Jim scores Once Upon a Time in China with thrilling music that underscores the seriousness of each historical event and piece of folklore. George Lam's theme song is exciting and beautiful on its own as well.
In all, I adored Once Upon a Time in China for Tsui Hark's masterful direction and Jet Li's unbelievable kung fu talent.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
johnathon w
Classic martial arts film that ranks as one of Jet Li's best, thanks to some brilliant action scenes and larger drama about foreign occupation of China during the 19th century. Li is superb as Master Wong, a martial arts teacher trying to do the right thing despite foreign corruption, along with rival gangs. While the drama is a bit melodramatic at times, the filmmakers provide some nice balance, showing the some Chinese are complicit in the corruption while some foreigners do the right thing (a Jesuit priest is shown to be a friend of Wong's when he needs him). The highlight, though, are the brilliant fight sequences, building to the legendary warehouse fight when Li and his opponent fly of ladders to fight each other. A true classic and must watch for any martial arts fan.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
03/30/23
Full Review
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