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Once Upon a Time in China #1

Once Upon a Time in China #1

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Modern-Day Classic
Review: The casting of Jet Li as the folk hero Wong Fei-Hong was pure genious indeed. He certainly personifies the myth behind the legend.

As far as the movie goes, it's an excellent rendition of foreign occupation in China. It shows these events from an Eastern perspective. Betrayal, exploitation, oppression, tolerance, these are aspects that this movie demonstrates. The fighting sequences are typical Jet Li, fast and innovative.

The key to really appreciating this film, as well as the others in the series, is to appreicate the storyline and how the action sequence further it.

Definitely 1 of my top 5.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: eh, seen better
Review: the cinematography is pretty excellent in this movie with great color and back drops. but the actual fighting was disappointing and for 2hrs, few and far between. "Fist of Legend" is a much better action movie. BTW, although it says widescreen it is not 16:9. it's 4:3 aspect ratio but letterbox style.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the best HK films of the 90s
Review: The film which started one of the most famous and successfull Hong Kong franchises of alltime is the best of all the Wong Fei Hung films. One of the most ingenious fight scenes ever seen (esp. Yim and Wong's battles) and probably the most intriguing, emotional and complex storyline of any Hong Kong Martial Arts film make Once Upon a Time in China enjoyable to almost any Martial Art fan. Jet Li (in the film which made him a superstar) portrays Wong Fei Hung the best, in my view. He almost did to Wong what Liam Neeson did to Oskar Schindler. Li's masterful fighting skills, awesome charismatic presence and his wise, flawless acting makes him superior to other kung fu superstars like Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao, Sammo Hung, Bruce Lee..only Chow Yun-Fat equals his skills. The end fight sequence between Master Yim and Master Wong is in the top six most tense and exciting Hong Kong action sequences ever (along with Fist of Legend, The Killer, Hard-Boiled, A Better Tomorrow II and Drunken Master 2).

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Martial Arts Newest Star
Review: The movie that made Jet Li a star. Those wishing for a great Kung Fu action flick must see this. He will take over the martial arts genre once Jackie Chan retires. Great scenery and theme music in additon to great fighting action makes this movie a must see. Trust me, you will not be disappointed. Other great Jet Li movies you must see include Body Guard From Beijing and High Risk.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Personally, my favorite Jet Li movie
Review: The plot may confuse some people, but another viewing will clear things up. The first time I watched it, I was blew away by the fight sequences and the cinematography. I saw this movie back in 1993 when I was a kid. I was a fan of Jet Li ever since. I wanted the VHS version, but it was too expensive..so now that the DVD version is out, although it's still expensive I think it's worth it. The part I love most about the movie is how the movie portray the AMERICANS as really DUMB villians. All you see in hollywood today is minorities playing the stupid role of the villian. This is good for a change...hahhaha...

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: This movie had a really weak plot
Review: The plot to the story was confusing and the movie dragged on for a long time. Yuen Biao's character was dumb. The fight scenes were so so.
The final fight with the big boss was way too long. It was over kill, that scene was either over edited or way under-edited. The movie gave me bad memories, i kept having flash backs about the part where Fei Hong's 13 aunt was about to be rapped. The only good OUATIC was the third one with the fu dog and dragon dance.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great introduction to Jet Li
Review: This is one of his classics and the newest actor to portray Wong Fei Hong (classical Chinese folk hero).

The action is great, although some parts of this movie can be quite boring. I would watch this movie just to see one kick that Jet Li executes (without being suspended on wires) in which he does a 540 degree split kick jumping from one bench to another during the opera fight scene (nicely jazzed up with a jet's "whoosh" sound effect).

However, if you want to see Jet's true fighting talent without the cheesy Chinese element (which usually involves lots of wire suspension), see "Fist of Legend" - Jet's new and improved version of Bruce Lee's "Chinese Connection". I also highly recommend "Tai-chi Master" which also features Michelle Yeoh in top form (Bond girl from "Tomorrow Never Dies").

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Good!!
Review: This is one of Jet Li's finest movies. He acted as "Huang Fei Hong" who is a famous person in China. He is righteous and always protect the weak from the ruthless. If you want to see real kung fu (not enhance by computers), this is the one to get. Jet Li will put every current kung fu movies to shame.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Good!!
Review: This is one of Jet Li's finest movies. He acted as "Huang Fei Hong" who is a famous person in China. He is righteous and always protect the weak from the ruthless. If you want to see real kung fu (not enhance by computers), this is the one to get. Jet Li will put every current kung fu movies to shame.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Double Plus Good
Review: This is probably the most all round compelling martial arts film I have ever seen. It combines amazing fight sequences with a complex story and surperb acting. Jet Li plays Wong Fei Hung, a kung fu master who runs a local militia of Chinamen. Tentions are rising as the British and the Americans are entering China to exploit it's resorces. Eventually they boil over and what unravels is what happened Once Upon a Time in China. This story really has it all and Li(in the role that made him a star) is magnificent. I gave this movie 5 stars based on its rank of Hong Kong martial arts flims I have seen. I highly recommend it to any fan of action films and particularly to Jet Li fans.


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