Home :: DVD :: Art House & International  

Asian Cinema
British Cinema
European Cinema
General
Latin American Cinema
Once Upon a Time in China 2

Once Upon a Time in China 2

List Price: $49.95
Your Price:
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 2 3 4 5 >>

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Probably the Best in the series
Review: "Once Upon a Time in China" introduced us to Wong Fei-Hong and his merry men. Part 2 continues the saga. Of all 4 OUATIC and "Last Hero In China", Jet Li does a great acting job, adding more mystique behind the legend of Wong Fei-Hong. Rosamund Kwan also deserves kudos for her role, developing Peony as the compliment to Wong. The fighting sequences once again are innovative and fresh.

What makes this movie stand out is that, if it weren't part of a series, it still would be spectacular. It has a enough to substantiate it apart from it's predecessor.

Another 1 of my top 5.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Probably the Best in the series
Review: "Once Upon a Time in China" introduced us to Wong Fei-Hong and his merry men. Part 2 continues the saga. Of all 4 OUATIC and "Last Hero In China", Jet Li does a great acting job, adding more mystique behind the legend of Wong Fei-Hong. Rosamund Kwan also deserves kudos for her role, developing Peony as the compliment to Wong. The fighting sequences once again are innovative and fresh.

What makes this movie stand out is that, if it weren't part of a series, it still would be spectacular. It has a enough to substantiate it apart from it's predecessor.

Another 1 of my top 5.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Almost as good as the first.
Review: All ihave to say is that this is just about as good as the first, however, Yuen Woo Ping isn't jack when compared with Lau Kar Wing, Yuen Shun Yi, and Yuen Chong-Yan (they did once upon a time in china 1). Ping does way too much wire work and it shows way too much. Also, where was Yuen Biao? He was a great Foon and in part 2, he could have gotten a lot more action. Still, I could watch this over and over, but whenever I see Wong Fei Hung Flying through the air like superman...I just sort of cringe. Wong Fie Hung was a Southern stylist too, so there should have been A LOT more hand to hand action. Still, it does deserve four stars. Donnie Yen was great.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Nothing like the first
Review: Although I am a new fan of Jet Li, I thought this movie was not as good as the first one. The action sequences were great, but lacking and didn't show up until the last 30 minutes or so. The plot was also a mixed bag. I recommend this movie to die hard Jet Li fans or collectors only.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The best in the series...
Review: Director Tsui Hark continues his tale of Wong Fei Hong in Once upon a time in China II (1992). Starring Jet Li as Master Wong, Rosamund Kwan as Aunt Yee, Mok Siu-chong ('Fire Dragon') replacing Yuen Biao as Foon, and Donnie Yen ('Wing Chun') as a Ching minister. This film delivers the goods. Wong travels to Canton where he meets nationalist Dr. Sun Yat Sen, a revolutionary during the last days of the Ching Dynasty. Together, they go up against the govt and the anti-western "White Lotus Cult". Non-stop action. Jet Li is particuliarly good in two scenes against the cult followers and leader. Lots of great wire work. Plus the anticipated Donnie Yen match-up does not disappoint. Donnie Yen rules! The film gives good insight into this period of Chinese history. A very troubled time, with groups from all sides trying to take over China. Aunt Yee continues her quest to gain the favor of Fei Hong, setting up some humorous scenes. Good plot, all-star cast, first class action... Jet Li's greatest role. You've got to buy this, it is awesome!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent sequel!
Review: Every bit as good as the first, if not better. Jet Li's poise and martial arts ability are astounding and are generously displayed in the superb fight sequences towards the end. Throughout the film the audience is treated to an excellent picture of the cultural and social problems facing China at the turn of the century, as well as some exposure to Eastern medicine. My only personal disappointment is that Yuen Biao, a major actor in the first film and a fantastic martial artist in his own right, does not appear in this sequel. Overall, stunning!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What a sequel
Review: Everything in this movie is great from the great cinematography to the music to the acting and the incredible fight scenes! I only wish oupatic 3 was this good I think that movie only had about two good fights the rest was all liondancing stuff. But back to the greatness of this movie. I just love the crazy tables fight between Jet and the white lotus sect and I have no clue how they thought up that fight scene! And having Jet Li fight against the great Donnie Yen was even more of a plus in the movie! My only regret is I wish Jet and Donnie would have fought hand to hand which would have probably went down as one of the greatest one on one fights in history. But other than that you get two great duels between the two. First a staff fight and then a two stick fight which leads to the crazy cloth-stick fight which you have to see to believe! Nontheless this movie is a sure classic!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: May the Sun always shine on our land
Review: Hark Tsui (Black Mask, Swordsman, A Chinese Ghost Story III) who studied film at the University of Texas at Austin directs the whole Once Upon a Time in China collection, or the Wong Fei-hung collection. He was also a producer on the Iron Monkey movie on the same character.

First off, Tsui has a fabulous cast to work with in this movie. Jet Li was at the top of his game in the nineties, when this movie was created. Jet Li was in the middle of making his best works, including Fist of a Legend, New Legend of Shoalin, Fong Sai Yuk, and Tasi Chi Master. Tsui chose him just at the right point in his career to play the legend Wong Fei-hung.

Siu Chung Mok (The Assassin, Once Upon a Time in China III, IV, and V) replaces the great Yuen Biao as Foon. Foon is Jet Li's protégée in the movie/student. He is also the comic relief, troublemaker, hot head, clumsy fool, running joke. Mok does an all right job, but the movie is missing Biao. I know Biao, Yen, and Li in the same movie would have been amazing and expensive, and the stars they had other then Li were under utilized as is.

Yee Kwan Yan (Iron Monkey, Dragon Inn, and Swordsman II & III) stars as Chung, and does a very, very good job. Also, Donnie Yen is in this movie, and Li fights him one of the final fights. Yen was one of the main reasons I was so excited to see this movie, as Yen is one of my favorites, as is Li. Unfortunately, Yen is in two, maybe three fight scenes, TOTAL. It was really a travesty.

Rasamund Kwan (The Assassin, Swordsman II, Project A part 2) returns as Aunt 13, and she continues to attract Foon, and keep Jet Li on his toes, and as confused as ever. I was happy to see Tsui was able to bring her back in this role.

Once Upon a Time in China II, like the first one, focuses on the development of all the characters. It is rare to watch a full two-hour martial arts movie. Tsui takes the time, developed the characters, and did not rush action scene to action scene. That aspect of the movie was done extremely well.

However, there are a lot of very nice action scenes, but there are spots in the movie with long time periods without a fight sequence. Another negative aspect of the movie was I felt both Yen and Li could have had better fight sequences. The actual fight scenes they do appear in are amazing, however the lack of total number of fight scenes are disappointing.

Nevertheless, this is a good movie, and deserves a viewing. I do not know if I would say it is a must have as much as I would say you should own the collection. Wong Fei-hung is a very special character, the movie is good, and does belong in your martial arts collection.

Grade: B


Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Not just a Sequel
Review: I feel refreshed by the spirit of the way these movies are made. Not only are they very clear in their message and morals (something Hollywood has lost through attempting to be sophisticated) but they are beautiful to look at, with every scene gently enclosing you in its magic. No "look at this" shots, or endless, yawning gaps in the action.

I'm a recent convert, and therefore unskilled in my appreciation, but I found the movie more accessible than the first one, as no doubt it was meant to be. The style of amiable, innocent comedy and the great characters make it very enjoyable. This second movie is surely different enough to have a different title, but I do like the impatient, production-line nature of it all. I hear that they make them a lot quicker than Hollywood.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I havent seen this...but trust me
Review: I have not seen any Jet Li films, this will obviously change soon. I recommend this simply with the knowledge that Jackie Chan sings a song in it!


<< 1 2 3 4 5 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates