Advantages: not just great action, but great storytelling and characterisations Disadvantages: not many, though cultural/historical context might be lost on some
Once Upon A Time In China (OUATIC) sees Jet Li in a career defining role as Wong Fei Hung - a real life legendary folk hero who lived during the mid 19th to early 20th century in the Fushan region of China. The name might also be familiar to Jackie Chan fans, who also portrayed Wong Fei Hung in the fantastic, though very different, Drunken Master movies.
Set in the late 19th century during a period of turmoil in Chinese history, OUATIC is as equally ... ...act a bit too.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA TRIVIA:
Jet Li began learning martial arts at the age of 8 and went on to win the title of all round national Wushu Champion at the tender age of 11 (yes, he was competing among adults too). This was to be the 1st of 5 consecutive titles which he won. Jet Li would reprise the role of Wong Fei Hung in parts 2 & 3 of the OUATIC series, but following a dispute with Tsui Hark did not return for parts 4 & 5. ...
caydon 02.05.2004 (08.05.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Once Upon A Time In China - Complete Trilogy (DVD)
Advantages: An endless classic Disadvantages: Buy sub-titled, the dubbing is awful
Once Upon A Time In China is simply a film of epic proportions. Set in the late nineteenth century shortly before the occupation of China by foreign forces. The film surrounds the life of Wong Fei Hung (Played superbly by Jet Lee), a legendary figure from China who lived from 1850 to 1910 (Approximately), and is similar the British Robin Hood.
The theme of Once Upon A Time In China is not one of race or colour (This is dealt with in the sequel). ... ...mistake to make is that Once Upon A Time In China is just a Kung Fu movie. I strongly disagree with this. Yes, there is Kung Fu, but there is more drama than what is accepted within the genre. I would personally classify this as a period movie, with the historical detail to perfection. The tension between Aunt Yee and (Played by Rosamond Kwon) and Wong is electric!
The music score was divine. Moving with subtle ease from the atmospheric street music ...
king_of_zombie_lurve 20.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Once Upon A Time In China - Complete Trilogy (DVD)
Advantages: A true story with Jet Lee at his very best Disadvantages: Avoid the dubbed version like the plague
Once Upon A Time In China is simply a film of epic proportions. Set in the late nineteenth century shortly before the occupation of China by foreign forces. The film surrounds the life of Wong Fei Hung (Played superbly by Jet Lee), a legendary figure from China who lived from 1850 to 1910 (Approximately), and is similar the British Robin Hood. The theme of Once Upon A Time In China is not one of race or colour (This is dealt with in the sequel). ... ...mistake to make is that Once Upon A Time In China is just a Kung Fu movie. I strongly disagree with this. Yes, there is Kung Fu, but there is more drama than what is accepted within the genre. I would personally classify this as a period movie, with the historical detail to perfection. The tension between Aunt Yee and (Played by Rosamond Kwon) and Wong is electric! The music score was divine. Moving with subtle ease from the atmospheric street music ...
the_king_of_zombie_lurve 11.10.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Once Upon A Time In China - Complete Trilogy (DVD)
Advantages: something for everyone, even women love these movies Disadvantages: A little dated now, sometimes a little to tongue in cheek.
...portraying this person but the Once Upon A Time in China movies tell the legend the best. Some small elements of fantasy within some fight scenes but for the most part raw hard hitting martial arts. Films are better in cantonese with subtitles rather than cheesy dubbing.
This box contains the first three of a total of six movies. The other three movies are titled Last Hero in China, Once upon a Time in China and America, {Kung-Fu shenanigans in ... ...6 {avoid this, this is the only one that doesn't star Jet Li and it's very poor}
Much like Rocky through the course of the movies you see a love relationship blossom between Fei-Hung and Aunt Yee {no relative}
The films also continue the story so you really build an affection for the charachters, such as Ah Soh, Ah Fu, porky, and Clubfoot. The films contain loads of humour and in parts are hysterical. I love ther part where Wong Fei-Hung woh happens ...
tayloa22 29.08.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Once Upon A Time In China - Complete Trilogy (DVD)
Advantages: Great Action, Romance and Jet Li and Yuen Bao in the same movie. Disadvantages: NONE!
'Once Upon A Time In China' is an epic action adventure set in late 19th century China around the time of British/American occupation and it tells the story of the legendary 'Wong Fei Hung' a martial arts master (Brilliantly played by Jet Li) - The story involves some of the most mind blowing action sequences ever conceived on screen (Forget The Matrix.). 'Wong Fei Hung' is a famous character who has been played before by other well known actors ... ...cast which includes 'Rosamund Kwon' and 'Yuen Bao'. There is lots of comedy (Watch out for Yuen Bao getting plastered and trying to impress who he thinks is Wong Fei Hung.) and there is romance (Aunt Yee falling for Hung's charms). The film is brilliantly directed by Tsui Hark and when I say epic and large scale - I'm talking huge ie. check out the mind blowing set piece in the climax which involves ladders and platforms, it leaves you hanging off ...
Suchet 22.04.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Once Upon A Time In China - Complete Trilogy (DVD)
Advantages: going to be a good film with all these famous stunt people Disadvantages: none at all really
This film made by Tsui Hark who wanted to resurrect the legend of Wong Fei Hung one of China's most famous hero. In this film the foreigners are now coming into China and taking land to which they call it theirs and is even off limits to the native people. There is this hero called Won Fei Hung(Jet Li)who does not want to see his homeland get corrupted by the influence of these foreign people. So he takes on one of the most challenging task ever. ... ...betrayal of chinese people in power helping the foreigners saying everything they do is right when they know that the chinese people are being abused. Then the local gang team up with the foreigners and hires a very powerful martial artist to fight Wong Fei Hung. The local gang then kidnap hundreds of woman to be taken to other countries to become prostitutes. The biggest mistake of all was kidnapping Wong Fei Hung's aunt 13. When Fei Hung finds ...
ZhaoYun 19.04.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Once Upon A Time In China - Complete Trilogy (DVD)
Advantages: Great fight scenes Disadvantages: Not in English
Once Upon A Time In China tells the story of young renegade 'Wong Fei Hungs' (Jet Li) attempts to stop Western invaders corrupting China.
The character of Wong Fei Hung is ancient Chinese myths of a Martial arts master who had the heart of a true warrior. A gentle and likeable character. The film uses wire to propel the fighters metres into the air to capture the spectacular fight scenes. The film is directed by Tsui Hark, a heavyweight of Hong ...
ceminem 21.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Once Upon A Time In China - Complete Trilogy (DVD)
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