Rating: 
Summary: 5 Stars for Purely Personal Reasons
Review: For those of you who might not know, this third in a series film features Jet Li as Wong Fei-hung, a real life Cantonese kung fu master/physician who lived approximately in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. If you haven't seen this film or the ones that become before or after, they all have the potential to be disappointing if you go in with high expectations. The fight scenes are often subordinated to the drama, when they do finally occur, they're often lukewarm and not what you'd like them to be, and you might end up wondering why you bothered. The bulk of the plot in OUTIC III pits Wong (Li) against another Kung Fu school with the rivalry between the two culminating in a Lion Dance contest held in the Forbidden City preceded by an assasination attempt on Li. Besides that is the continually building, never going anywhere, can't-we-move-along romance between Wong and his "Aunt" Yi (Rosamund Qwan) with Fu (Max Mok) bumbling around getting into trouble. And that's pretty much it. I guess the reason I liked this particular installment in the series was the introduction of the character Clubfoot, played to scary perfection by Xin Xin Xiong (who also played the tattooed villian Lung in Tsui Harks other film Blade-now THERE'S a movie I'd unhesitatingly WOULD recommend). Xiong plays the henchman of the rival school's master, and while he has a brief skirmish with Li, they never really go at it; instead, he defects from the villians camp and becomes one of Li's followers. Which is all very warm and fuzzy, but I would rather have seen them go head to head, because his awesome martial arts skills aside, Xin Xin Xiong has, like Li, a very powerful yet subtle screen presence that just jumps out at you. And to have them become buddy buddy without first having a long, serious, apocolyptic fight was one of the most disappointing incidents in the whole series. The last scene is the previously mentioned Lion Dance contest which is as visually spectactular as a Wagnerian Opera and is about as confusing, but more to the point, it wasn't really a fight and probably would be anti-climatic for anyone who had just seen Li in Fist of Legend or The T'ai Chi Master (aka, Twin Warriors). Just to reiterate; I liked it for purely personal reasons, but I would in no way guarantee that you might. Rent it before you buy it.
Rating: 
Summary: Enough with the Lions!
Review: I completely understand and genuinely enjoy the Chinese tradition of the lion dance. It is a visually stunning and moving thing to see when done by a capable dancer. But this movie, while building to the climactic end scene, has about 500 lions dancing at the end. All of the lions are trying to defeat all the other lions, and all the while the viewer is left to be confused. Clubfoot was a great addition, but enough with the lions! ...
Rating:
Summary: The Lions get in the way
Review: I have never found a Jet Li movie I haven't truly enjoyed until this one. Like a lot of his movies, there are a lot of martial art sequences and some are terrific. But later on the lion dance competion is hectic. There are lion costumers everywhere and it's hard to tell what is going on. However, it is probably something you won't see in another movie so if you want to see a different kind of martial arts competition, try this but it may not be for everyone.
Rating:
Summary: The Lions get in the way
Review: I have never found a Jet Li movie I haven't truly enjoyed until this one. Like a lot of his movies, there are a lot of martial art sequences and some are terrific. But later on the lion dance competion is hectic. There are lion costumers everywhere and it's hard to tell what is going on. However, it is probably something you won't see in another movie so if you want to see a different kind of martial arts competition, try this but it may not be for everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as it seems
Review: I know that there have been a lot of reviews deploring the relatively lower standards of fight choreography, plot, etc. of this third installment. Yet of the 4, this was the movie that left the deepest impression on this humble reviewer - I remember being moved to tears after watching this as 12 year-old. I do understand, though, why other reviewers might have panned this one - it's much easier to understand tsui hark's intentions from the perspective of someone brought up in a more... "chinese" environment, so to speak.
The theme song of the series (the one with the drums and chinese-trumpets and people chanting "ahhhh... ahhhhhaahhhahhaahhahhh..." - yes, don't you know it) is about a man who wants to become a hero and win glory and honour - he calls others to join him in his quest, and sings of a fire burning in him that is "brighter than the sun" - an example of the sort of nationalistic, patriotic tradition that is very much ingrained into mainland-chinese culture (how much of it is part of a communist government's propaganda-package is anyone's guess). The character of Huang Fei-Hung is the embodiment of all the values inherent in The Patriot: a man unafraid of standing up to oppressive powers (foreign or otherwise) and fighting for the masses. This theme is emphasized throughout the series, and never so well-depicted as in Part III. ***Spoiler*** This episode ultimately ends tragically, as Wong realises that in fighting to "save face" and win honour for his people, he has in reality failed them. As such, the film (in a somewhat didactic approach - it is Tsui Hark, after all) deviates from the stereotypical kung-fu-hero-kills-all-the-baddies-and-saves-the-day ending in an attempt to teach its audience just what it really means to fight for your country - that it isn't just scrabbling for some abstract, pedantic bragging rights, but to be prepared to make sacrifices to bring about change that is real and good.
For those who just want to watch some chop-socking action, catch the first film. But if you're looking for some insight into the source of Chinese nationalistic fervour, and what drives a man to put everything at stake for family and country, this really is one of the essentials.
Rating:
Summary: want to buy but.....
Review: i really liked this movie and would rate it a 5 but the subtitles are so awful, i'll just wait til jet li becomes popular enough they'll reissue it with clean visuals and good subtitles.
Rating:
Summary: me love movie
Review: In the third film in this series, martial arts film legend Jet Li stars as Dr. Wong Fei-Hung, a real life folk hero of 19th century China. Combining solid martial arts action (as you'd expect from a Jet Li movie) with decent storyline which delves into some historical elements, this movie is a decent flick all-around. While not quite as captivating in terms of action or story as the previous films, III still delivers an acceptable performance.THE STORY: It is 19th century China and Western influence is growing. The Empress Dowager, in an attempt to showcase Chinese power to the foreigners, hosts a martial arts tournament, the Lion King competition, pitting the finest martial arts schools against one another. Wong's family's cultural society becomes caught in the middle of the martial arts wars. In the midst of staving off the attacks of their rivals, Wong is also caught in a personal dilemma as he and his secret-lover, his cousin (through marriage) Yee, decide to marry and try to find ways to announce it to their family. Added to this is the arrival of a Russian friend from Yee's past who is infatuated with her himself, showering her with great Western gifts such as the motion-picture camera. Throughout all of this turmoil, things become a bit more interesting as foreign interests decide to use the tournament as a backdrop to a political assassination plot... THE COOL STUFF: If you love martial arts action you've got a good portion of it here. The fight scenes are NUMEROUS as you'll be treated to tons of fighting set in 19th century China in tons of marketplace settings as well as vintage Chinese dwellings and buildings. The sets and costumes are just awesome, particularly all of the Lion dresses. The fight scenes between Wong and the rival martial artists are just awesome. In addition this film does incorporate some humorous moments into it. THE DVD FEATURES: The features of the DVD, while not extensive as most new DVDs are, are perfectly acceptable. Included on this DVD are the following: 1. Bonus Movie Trailers for the following: a. Once Upon a Time in China II b. Once Upon a Time in China Trilogy c. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon d. Miracles by Jackie Chan 2. Filmographies for Director Tsui Hark, Jet Li and Rosamund Kwan. THE VERDICT: The most common criticism for most martial arts/action flicks are that the stories [stink]. The redeeming quality for them is, of course, the action. Like its predecessor, Once Upon a Time in China III overcomes these criticisms by delivering solid action and (lo and behold) a decent story. In addition, the film, besides having an awesome story and action sequences also incorporates just the right amount of humor to make it a nice package all around. While not quite as captivating in terms of action or story as its two predecessors, Once Upon a Time in China III still delivers an acceptable performance. Overall, besides oohing and aahing to cool fight scenes you'll also be treated to a great look at a crucial period in Chinese history. Recommended
Rating:
Summary: A Decent Installment to the Franchise
Review: In the third film in this series, martial arts film legend Jet Li stars as Dr. Wong Fei-Hung, a real life folk hero of 19th century China. Combining solid martial arts action (as you'd expect from a Jet Li movie) with decent storyline which delves into some historical elements, this movie is a decent flick all-around. While not quite as captivating in terms of action or story as the previous films, III still delivers an acceptable performance. THE STORY: It is 19th century China and Western influence is growing. The Empress Dowager, in an attempt to showcase Chinese power to the foreigners, hosts a martial arts tournament, the Lion King competition, pitting the finest martial arts schools against one another. Wong's family's cultural society becomes caught in the middle of the martial arts wars. In the midst of staving off the attacks of their rivals, Wong is also caught in a personal dilemma as he and his secret-lover, his cousin (through marriage) Yee, decide to marry and try to find ways to announce it to their family. Added to this is the arrival of a Russian friend from Yee's past who is infatuated with her himself, showering her with great Western gifts such as the motion-picture camera. Throughout all of this turmoil, things become a bit more interesting as foreign interests decide to use the tournament as a backdrop to a political assassination plot... THE COOL STUFF: If you love martial arts action you've got a good portion of it here. The fight scenes are NUMEROUS as you'll be treated to tons of fighting set in 19th century China in tons of marketplace settings as well as vintage Chinese dwellings and buildings. The sets and costumes are just awesome, particularly all of the Lion dresses. The fight scenes between Wong and the rival martial artists are just awesome. In addition this film does incorporate some humorous moments into it. THE DVD FEATURES: The features of the DVD, while not extensive as most new DVDs are, are perfectly acceptable. Included on this DVD are the following: 1.Bonus Movie Trailers for the following: a.Once Upon a Time in China II b.Once Upon a Time in China Trilogy c.Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon d.Miracles by Jackie Chan 2.Filmographies for Director Tsui Hark, Jet Li and Rosamund Kwan. THE VERDICT: The most common criticism for most martial arts/action flicks are that the stories [stink]. The redeeming quality for them is, of course, the action. Like its predecessor, Once Upon a Time in China III overcomes these criticisms by delivering solid action and (lo and behold) a decent story. In addition, the film, besides having an awesome story and action sequences also incorporates just the right amount of humor to make it a nice package all around. While not quite as captivating in terms of action or story as its two predecessors, Once Upon a Time in China III still delivers an acceptable performance. Overall, besides oohing and aahing to cool fight scenes you'll also be treated to a great look at a crucial period in Chinese history. Recommended
Rating:
Summary: me love movie
Review: it a very good movies, especially if u have the new dvd you can acutally see two different movies, everything is the same but some on the dub version are really not on the original one, have fun if you have this movies, i have seen it 10 times since i got is and i still like it.
Rating: 
Summary: It is entertaining; however, could be his better movie.
Review: It is funny with all the implications between Chinese people and Western custom(Chinese culture and Western culture). There are many action scenes although compared to Jet Li's other movies like Fist of Legend, there are not that much. The last scene is kind of cool. It is funny and entertaning in a way, however, I think it could have been better like the first and second parts of Once upon a time in China.
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