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Wong Fei-hung chi saiwik hung si

Wong Fei-hung chi saiwik hung si

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Big Hit in PRC
Review: A Wu Shu western, a la the old TV series "Kung Fu." Seeing Jet Li, after being taken in by American Indians, wearing pig tails on either side of his head and running up the front of his shirt is something everyone should see. The problem with this film is that the best fight scenes involve Clubfoot, now known as "Seven." Sammo Hung's directorial style has never been a favorite of mine (see "Mr. Nice Guy" and all the slo-mo action there), and this just reinforces that perception....

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: An interesting, but flawed attempt
Review: Although they managed to drag Jet Li back to the series for this installment, I personally wish they'd left the saga on the more respectable note that was the fourth sequel. Though the production values are high, with the American locations and actors being considerably better than in most HK films, the movie's plot is the weakest of the lot.
While Sammo Hung's direction makes the best visual use of the settings, it's suprisingly the action sequences that are the biggest let-down. The number of them is fairly frequent and the choreography is reasonable, but they are just too short to hold the attention. The failure to have a strong villian for Wong Fei-Hung to battle is also a major minus point.
There is also no attempt made to develop the characters and their relationships, as it seems the filmmakers think that dumping WFH and the gang in the middle of a Western is enough to justify making the film. It isn't.
It's a shame such a great series of movies signs off with such a weak parting shot. One for OUATIC completists only.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Try to rent if possible
Review: For real Jet Li fans this movie is ok, but was not really his style, of course Jet has to do some awesome fighting and was well worth watching. The movie overall was a little too long and really was one that you'll be happy that you saw him fight. Like I said rent if possible.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Grasshopper, 30 years later
Review: Great fight scenes, although I think the villian was tailor made for Cantonese audiences (meaning he looks silly as hell) and whoever was holding the camera was a little too close to the action. The plot (or what passes for a plot in Hong Kong Cinema) is Wong Fei-Hung, Aunt Yee (played by uber-babe Rosamund Qwan), and Clubfoot are traveling through the old west to visit a former student of Wong's. On the way, they are attacked by hostile Indians, and in the ensuing fight, all three end up the rapids of a river, where Wong (Li)contracts amnesia after hitting his head on a rock, and is then seperated from the rest of his group. Things get a little muddled after this, but let it be enough to say that this film has what most Hong Kong Cinema fans are looking for, i.e., great fight scenes. Jet Li is, as always, impressives with his usual combination of aerodynamic grace and power, mowing down outlaws and unfriendly Indians with typically overwhelming skill. Clubfoot, who inexplicably goes by the name of Seven in this installment of the OUATIC series is awesome again, especially when he casually kicks the stuff out of a saloon full of gunslingers without even breaking a sweat. (If anyone can tell me Clubfoot/Seven's real name, I'd really appreciate it-my e-mail is at the top of this review) In one of the better fights in the movie, with Wong still suffering from amnesia, Clubfoot tries to jar Wong's memory by starting a fight with predictable results (meaning Clubfoot takes a serious pounding). Needless to say, by the end of the movie, things are sorted out and the bad guys are dead and burried. Not the best in the OUATIC series, but still a lot of fun. Of course, some people might find the plot silly or inane, but if you want classically high-brow theatre, you shouldn't be watching Hong Kong Cinema in the first place; it's a purely visual experience, and it's also the most viually imaginative genre in the world. Just as a closing note, some people said Sammo Hung borrowed (to put it politely) the idea of a Chinese martial artist wandering the Wild West from Jackie Chan, which is like saying Van Gogh borrowed the idea of painting from Monet. I suppose whoever said that never saw David Carridine in Kung Fu which was made 30 years ago or Toshiro Mifune as a Samurai in the wild west opposite Charles Bronson in Red Sun made in the late 60s. The point being, kung fu vs. cowboys and Indians was around before Jackie Chan got into movies working as a stunt double for Bruce Lee, The Once and Future Sifu. Some might not like this movie, and admittedly, I am biased because there's very little that Sammo Hung or Jet Li could do that I wouldn't like, but while not setting any records, this flick is definately worth the 3.50 rental price.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Some bad acting, but still up to par
Review: Ignore the bad acting and analyze the action. Even in America Jet is unstoppable in this final film in the OUTIC series. I recommend this to all to Jet fans.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Forget plot, the fighting makes this movie worth watching!
Review: My only criticisms are that the american actors are sometimes a little cheesy and that a little "flying kung-fu" appears thanks to wires. But who cares?, that's not why you watch the movie! The movie's filled with energetic, often cool, fight scenes featuring Jet. His side kick, Seven, makes the film though. His tough, ass-kicking personality makes his scenes worth watching over and over again. The athleticism the actors display is mind-boggling, some moves are hard to follow even in slow motion. When Seven fights Jet, hold onto your butts!!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: The OUATIC to forget!!!
Review: The story is not so bad (well... Shangai Noon, which is quite similar, is much better...) it's just badly directed. The fight scenes are unwatchable and the dialogues are quite poor. Wong Fei-hung (Jet Li) is out of character (for example: it's the first time that we see him giving long and boring speeches to everyone around) and some characters such as Foon Leung aren't even here. Also, you should see the bad make-up on the main villain... It's so ugly that you can't take the guy seriously.

As for the DVD... It's one of the worst I have bought so far. The sound isn't surround, which is unforgivable for a movie done at the end of the 90's. There's a 2 to 5 seconds delay for the subtitles to appear on screen, which is pretty annoying. The quality of the picture lets much to be desired. A ratio of 2.35:1 would have been a better choice to show the movie instead of the 1.85:1. And what's the fun to watch a "making of" in Cantonese language without the option of having english subtitles to follow it?

All in all, an episode to forget in the OUATIC series.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: I liked it!!!
Review: This last part (so far) of the six part
OUATIC series wasn't too bad. It gets panned a bit by Jet's fans
at times, but I enjoy the concepts behind OUATIC and enjoy owning
this final installment. Jet, who plays Wong Fai Hung, travels to America (circa 1900) to check up on the newly established Po Chi Lam headquaters [Wong is a doctor]. He travels with Auntie 13 and Club Foot, who is called Seven in this movie [another reason I jumped on this title, by the way, was for this awesome fighter].
The story revolves around am injury to the head which cause
Wong to briefly forget who he is. He is adopted by some Indians [I had to laugh, as some of the Indians with mohawks look like English punks circa 1980: fire engine red hair!] The portrayal of Native Americans could have been a bit better, but I didn't let it distract me. As a subplot, there is a heart of gold version of Billy the Kid who befriends the Chinese, and is taught some kicking by Seven; I liked this blond haired character more than I thought I would, and give the guy credit for playing his character well! This has more the feeling of a television show than a movie in some ways, but is a must see for Jet/ Wong Fai Hung fans alike. Yes, there is wire-fu, but Jet was made for that stuff and I don't mind it most of the time.
The real question is: Is a movie about a martial arts god who beats up cowboys even remotely possible [shanghai noon aside, this movie came out first]? It does work; Tsui Hark manages to provide us with a great lead villain with a very sinister look; a real tough and spooky character [whos name I forget!] who seems to have a lot more going for him skill-wise than slinging a six-shooter. There is also a decent fight between Seven anf Wong, to eliviate the overall lack of martial arts. In short, not a bad flick, especially if you love Jet!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Once Upon a Time for an Average Sequel
Review: Well, on the outside, it would appear that Jet Li had made a triumphant return to the series that made his career. In reality, this sequel falls short of the glory of the past titles. You should know that Jet Li was replaced for Once Upon a Time in China 4 and 5. (This being the sixth) Those movies were also very much below the quality of the first two. I suppose this movie does a better job than the Vincent Zhao vehicles that are OUATIC 4 and 5, but not by much. I must say these movies are very similar. I can tell you this, the storyline deals with the whole fish out of water ordeal. The big twist in this movie is that Jet Li bangs his head on a rock and thinks he is a native american indian. Then with some coaxing from his friend, Clubfoot, (read: fighting) he goes back to normal. In my opinion the romance between Jet Li and Roseamund Kwan has never been a strong point in the series. Much like Shanghai Noon, this movie goes out with a whimper, not a bang when Jet Li fights some evil looking goth cowboyesque character on top of a platform. I have to say, the fina fight scene is sub par for any Kung Fu Film and especially Jet Li. So in the end, go enjoy Once Upon a Time in China one and two. Go enjoy the gangster masterpiece Once Upon a Time in America, but be weary of the sub-par Kung Fu/Westerner that is Once Upon a Time in China and America. I recommend "Rikki-Oh" cause as far as Kung Fu movies, it's the poorest produced flick i have ever seen, but it's also the funniest. Check it out now.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Good try, but no cigar!
Review: When Jet Li stars as legendary Wong Fei-Hong, you know you're going to see lightning quick attacks and ferocious high flying exploits. The only problem is that in all the Wong Fei-Hong movies combined, Fei-Hong has almost never been hit during the fight scenes. Every adversary prior to this movie seemed relatively skilled. But in this one none of these guys stood a chance! None of them had any skill at all! If you just wanted to watch fight scenes, you'll be sorely disappointed to watch Jet beat up a bunch of Americans. I suppose they were trying to focus more on the story line (which was dreadfully mediocre!). The previous Once Upon a Time in China movies are much better. If you can't get enough of Wong Fei-Hong movies, try Iron Monkey! It's a much more exciting movie.


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