Pluskylang Great Film overall

Reptileenbu Did you people see the same film I saw?

Limerculer A waste of 90 minutes of my life

Deanna There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

Dave from Ottawa Legendary Chinese patriot Wong Fei-hung, often played in the movies by Jackie Chan (Drunken Master and sequels) joins a secret group dedicated to stopping China's slave trade with America. Once Upon a time is a quite ambitious, historically accurate and very good looking production. There have been complaints by Western viewers about the slow pace, yet I found that the pace matched the pace of life and action in the period and thus seemed appropriate. The political content of the movie seems one-sided verging on xenophobia in its portrait of exploitation-bent white colonials, not that a Hong Kong producer ever lost money by appealing to his audience's dislike of the British. Still this gives everything much more resonance and story interest than is typical for martial arts movies, which usually have just enough plot to barely hold themselves together between punch-ups. It is nice for once to have a REASON for all of the fighting. The movie sprawls all over historic China and the period look is quite convincing, with excellent exterior cinematography.The script is lively, mixing adventure and intrigue with a little comedy and romance, and is well played by principals Jet Li and Rosamund Kwan as Wong Fei-Hung and his Aunt Yee(!) - actually the ninth and quite young wife of Wong's uncle - who is European educated and initially a defender of the very Western influences against which Wong is fighting.Martial arts fans looking strictly for a fight film might be disappointed. The stunt sequences are watchable, but I saw few new wrinkles in the fight choreography here. The Legend I and II are more impressive in this regard. But those looking for something beyond a straight punch up should be intrigued by the film's mix.

kluseba The first part of "Once Upon A Time In China" is an amazing mixture of slapstick comedy, brilliant martial arts action and a big shot of Chinese culture, history and life. Be sure to watch the full movie and not an old shortened version as this movie introduces many truly interesting and unique in scenes that seem like entertaining but unnecessary sidekicks in the beginning but that turn out to play a rather big role towards the end of the film.The strongest points of this movie are the characters. You have a very courageous, strong and vise master Wong portrayed by a very good Li Lian Jie, the very amusing idiot with a heart of gold called Fu who is very well played by Yuen Biao, the stuttering and intellectual outsider So incarnated by a strong Cheung Hok Yau, the naive but very loyal and honest Lang played by a very entertaining and talented Cheng Juk Si or the charming, careless and westernized aunt Yee that is portrayed by Guan Ga Wei. Even the minor roles in this movie are very well done and this cast would have had the potential for the establishment of a successful year long television series. The roles are very addicting and really rate this movie up and make it stand out of many great martial arts movies with a historic background that came out at that time.Nevertheless, the battle scenes are truly amazing. In the beginning, they are rather disappointing and the movie in general kicks off on a rather low note but the further it gets, the better the battles are. The fighting scenes in the port of the city, inside the warehouse and finally on the ship are all outstanding and have a stunning choreography. This movie truly wants you to learn martial arts if you haven't done them yet.Apart of the action scenes, the humorous element of this movie is a really strong point. It's priceless to see when Porky Lang is disguised for an improvised theatre play and everybody recognizes him in a hilarious manner. The idiot Fu and his addiction to aunt Yee is also very entertaining in his acts of plumb voyeurism and silly approaches to the beautiful and mature lady. The nervous So who turns out to be rather intelligent is also a strong character and the way he acts on the ship during the final battle almost made me laugh tears.In the end, I look forward to discover the follow-ups of this amusing, entertaining and fast-paced epic Chinese movie. This movie is nothing innovating or truly outstanding but a first class entertainment I would regularly like to enjoy.

marymorrissey I'll admit I only watched 15 minutes or so cause I realized if I went straight to the box office I'd probably get a refund. it's a "goofy" very low budget movie which, if you're not seeing it for free, should be viewed from a seat in which you can make a quick getaway for a refund. You'll have to be a real Jet Li or Hong Kong completest to stick it out for any length of time, I think.I saw it on a program of "sergio Leone influences hong Kong" double feature and the other film from 2006 called "exile" was the HK submission for the Oscars and it was really excellent.my 10th line: and they said "hong Kong Odyssey 2002 was "stupid""!! I enjoyed that movie but this one, no thanks!oh and I suppose I need to explain at LACMA (LA county museum of art) in this instance the 2 films on the program had separate admission charges, the first one (exile) was $5 and such a deal the 2nd, this one, was 10 bucks and I felt anything else I might spend 10 bucks on, say, a baja fresh burrito, would be a better use of the money. mmm mm good!

G K Once Upon A Time In China (directed by Tsui Hark) is often called a classic of the martial arts genre and a great action film. Both of these praises are true. The Cantonese title of the film is actually Wong Fei Hung. It's also the name of the film's protagonist. The story is set at the end of the 19th century in the city of Foshan in China. It's a time when there was great concern about the growing presence of Westerners from America, Britain and France. Wong Fei Hung (a doctor and martial arts master) is approached by the general of the Black Flag Army who tells him that he should train a militia to help protect the coastal town. But things go badly for Wong when he begins to speak out against Western military presence. The local government official becomes angry with Wong. On top of that a local gang called Sha Ho Bang becomes a major nuisance for Wong. They terrorize local businesses and deal with the Americans. The Americans, Jackson and his henchman Tiger are working for the Sino-Pacific company, exporting Chinese people to America for slave labor. Another antagonist in the film is "Iron Robe" Yim, a martial arts master who has come to the town to start a martial arts school of his own. To be known as the best in town he challenges Wong Fei Hung to a fight.What makes the film stand out is that it contains lessons in history and morality. Jet Li is charismatic in the role of master Wong. Not only is he righteous and brave, but he also possesses great skills in martial arts and medicine. Master Yim on the other hand is almost the exact opposite of Wong; he's overconfident, corrupt and is not concerned about the well-being of other people to achieve his goals. The fights between Yim and Wong are truly spectacular. They have the right balance between realism and fantasy to make them memorable. In addition, the fights are very well choreographed. Wire-work was used, but I didn't care since there's no way to show such fights without it. The film's action scenes influenced many other martial arts films afterward. In contrast to Wong's good practices the film also shows some of the worst of human nature. But in the context of the film it isn't unnecessary violence. We're shown how righteousness and dedication can overcome what's bad. At the heart of the film is a yearning for the old China, a China that has withered away because of Western influence. People are blinded by opportunity and the promise of wealth while failing to see the good that's in front of them.Once Upon A Time In China is one of my favourite films. I watch it for entertainment, and when I feel uncertain. It's an inspirational film. Since it's one of the most well known Hong Kong releases in the West you've probably already seen it, but if you haven't then you should. It's the sort of film that will get you interested in Hong Kong and Chinese cinema.