Once Upon a Time in China

source: Once Upon a Time in China

Classic Hong Kong martial arts film from the early 90s. Jet Li stars as Wong Fei Hung a martial artist and acupuncturist. I have loved this movie since I was a child watching the Once Upon a Time in China film series with my brother. The opening sequence and song always gives me chills and makes me want to practice kung fu. I think the kung fu is realistic with some flourishes. All the battles are well choreographed. I like the theme of Western countries taking advantage of China prevalent throughout the film as this was a huge issue in this era at the end of the Qing dynasty. I recommend the film for all ages.

This Jet Li movie is exceptional for its time and doesn't feel at all outdated. The fight scenes are complex and plentiful, and the long ladder fight at the end will please any Jet Li fan. I also enjoyed the sub-plot about a master fighter trying to make a name for himself. He and Jet Li have a great fight scene together in Wong Fei Hung's school, its probably one of my favorite fight scenes ever. 8/10

I have to say Once Upon a Time in China is the best Kungfu movie I've ever seen. It depicts the struggling chinese in the face of growing foreign occupation in China. A hero Wong Fei-hung come into the picture as the hero to save the day. If you want to know more watch the movie, out of ten I give it a score of 1000000000000000000.

Jet Li shows that when he takes the role of a Chinese Folk Hero named Wong that everyone else loses. It's not even in question whether he will beat them, but in this intricate and complex story it isn't so simple. Can he save China from its enemies from without and from within? Set in 1850's Jet Li shows why he is the toughest fighter alive. Give the man an umbrella and everyone else is finished. Sometimes odd subtitles, for instance the english lines were not copied verbatim for the subtitles IN ENGLISH. All around a fine film where Jet Li defies most laws of physics.

A very enjoyable martial arts film with many exciting sequences which went very well with the flow of the movie. The characters are somewhat thin but that is not why we are watching this movie is it?! Once Upon A Time in China deserves many kudos.

This film is extremely overrated, convoluted and poorly edited. It often appears that 3 or more movies are happening at the same time. More than once, you'll ask yourself "Who's this guy?" or "I thought he was a good guy." It doesn't help that many of the characters look and dress identically. It only begins to make any sense about 3/4 of the way in. That said, there is some fantastic fight scenes. Jet Li is quite an acrobat. The scene with the ladders is worth sitting through this confusing silliness. Also, Americans are portrayed as ridiculously trigger happy and irredeemably evil (except for one priest). But our movies have featured plenty of shaky depictions of other cultures so it's more like payback than a real insult. There are many better movies of this type out there, but not many scenes better than the ladder scene.

Oct 21 Once upon a time in china I is the best of the movies in the series of 6, and certainly appears to of had the biggest budget also. The cast is strong and the martial arts scenes are excellent. Impressive start to the series. 9 out of 10.

In the 70's, the best martial arts film was "Shao Lin Tzu (Shao-Lin Temple)." In the 80's, the best martial arts film was "Shao Lin Xiao Zi (Shao-Lin Kids)." In the 90's, the best martial arts film was "Wong Fei-Hung (Once Upon a Time in China)." Well, maybe "Fong Sai-Yuk." And also "Tai Ji Zhang San Feng (Tai-Chi Master)." As well as "Jing Wu Ying Xiong (Fist of Legend)." In the 00's... "Ying Xiong (Hero)." Get it? Li Lian Jie rocks... he's the master.