Rating: 
Summary: One of the best historical Chinese Movies
Review: Jet Li has had a knack for making some of the best modern movies about historical China. This movie is no exception. While there is not a lot of martial arts action, when there is, it's great! The film does a great job as portraying the influence of western society in turn of the century China. The only beef I have with this movie is the antiquated firearms used. This takes place during the late 1800's, but all of the americans are using revolutionary war flintlocks. No 6 shooters or Henry rifles like you'd expect. Oh well, doesn't effect the movie so like I said, just a beef. Jet Li has done a great job in this movie, if you liked the Legend of Fong Sai Yuk, you're sure to like this one too. I just want to know why she's called Aunt 13?!?
Rating: 
Summary: One of the Best!
Review: This is a landmark film that belongs in any collection of martial arts films. There are flaws in editing and continuity, but the action is top-notch. Plus the point of view is enlightening in that it presents history from a non-Western point of view. The DVD is light on extras, but the commentary track by Ric Meyers is informative and interesting. I do have to comment on the earlier review that said to forget "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". The person who wrote that review doesn't get it, or is only interested in one-dimensional film making. "Crouching Tiger,..." is an instant classic, because it contains more than just superior martial arts action - it has a timeless, epic fantasy story, great acting, and excellent cinemetography. "Once Upon A Time In China" set the standard for it's day; "Crouching Tiger,..." raises the bar even higher.
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent blend of genre & history!
Review: Forget the overrated Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. For a superior, purer taste of Chinese culture and filmmaking, see this brilliant genre epic from Hong Kong mega-director/producer Tsui Hark (he helped John Woo & Chow Yun Fat become Asian superstars with A Better Tomorrow and the Killer). Jet Li plays Master Wong who helps defend China against foreign devils and traitors within. We get a superbly entertaining display of beautifully choreographed martial arts mixed with an informative pop-culture savvy interpretation of Chinese history. This is the real deal. A classic. I also highly recommend Tsui Hark's Peking Opera Blues & A Chinese Ghost Story. Both of which would have become as huge as the Indiana Jones series had they been in English with non-Asian stars.
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Summary: My favorite Jet li movie
Review: This is a new English re-release of my favorite Jet Li movie. The OATIC series feature spectacular martial arts (wire-work pre-dating "The Matrix": in fact, Matrix fans will recognize some of the fight scenes) plus Wong Fei-Hung (Li), the noble Chinese super-hero of these films. Chinese history buffs will enjoy the late 19th century setting.I hope they keep the main movie theme song intact in Cantonese. See all of them!
Rating:
Summary: Particularly Fantastic
Review: This is the story of a famous Martial Arts master during the early 1900s named Wong Fei Hong who was one of the famous Canton tigers. This is the first in the series of 5, 2 of which are not Jet Li. Jet Li's sidekick is played by Yuen Bao (for a number of Jackie Chan movies). They are my favorite martial arts movies of all time. There are a lot of great fight scenes, but a lot of wire work (Done very well however, unlike Romeo must Die). I highly recomend this title, and every other one of the "Once upon a time in China" series (One of the movies has no number, it is called "Once upon a time in China and America").
Rating: 
Summary: Mediocre plot with truly awful dubbing
Review: I am a fan of Jet Li and of martial arts films in general. That being said, I wonder how this movie developed such a reputation. The storytelling is practically absent, and is particularly difficult to follow when the dialogue is so terribly dubbed. The fight scenes are adequate, but poorly edited. Overall, this film is hardly worth renting, let alone buying.
The Legend of Fong Sai-Yuk movies are infinitely better (and funnier). Unfortunately, it seems difficult to find undubbed versions of these as well. Is it that hard for people to read subtitles?
Rating:
Summary: well worth the 5 stars
Review: I love this series, this is a truly master piece of kung fu movies, the choreography is just simply amazing, and director Tsu hark took the shot in truly entertaining way. Western viewers would be turned down by what's called the "racial problems", but come on it did happen in china so just suck it up baby,not as its a big deal nowadays, every country's politic was to expand their territory in the past, lets just face it.
For this movie, first of all this isnt the best in teh series. As for me the most entertaining ones are the vol2 and vol4 which in vol4 Jet Li wasnt casted, but the actor was about the same kind of martial art talent and the story was done a little better than vol3 for me. Lets come back to vol1 shall we, it's kindda long and a little boring for the first hours, it seems the whole crew is still searching the "way" to make this film which makes the cut a little dull, but the fight at end with Jet Li vs that guy who learned what was once called the "IRON COAT" in china was very visually entertaining, "IRON COAT" is a skill martial artist practice in order to train their body skin in order to sustain maxium damage much as possible, in tradition only artist has the skill to make "one point hit" which concentrate all the power to on one speicific pressure point can break through this kindda "IRON COAT" and familiars. The movie actually kindda making it beliveble which i was kindda impressed when I first saw it.
Rating:
Summary: You'll have to call me Uncle 13
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 Legens, New Legend of Shoalin, Fong Sai Yuk, and Tasi Chi Master. Tsui casted him just at the right point in his career to play the legend Wong Fei-hung.
Li's costar, Yuen Biao (Prodigal Son, Magnificent Butcher, Mr. Vampire 2, Deadful Melody, Jackie Chan's Project A, The Victim, and Young Master) plays a very frustrating character to understand. One moment he is the good guy, being attacked by a local militia, and your rooting for him. Next, he is fighting Li's character in his own house, and you think to yourself, "what an idiot." Then later, he is fighting on Li's side, and then at the end he joins forces with the villain. Then Li and Biao team together to get a common enemy; back and forth, back and forth.
What I did like a lot in reference with this movie is the development of all the characters. It is rare to watch a full two-hour martial arts movie. Tsui took 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 Li could have had better fight sequences. The first scene on the boat with him walking on the rope was neat, then the fight scene with the pole at the play was nice, but other then those two, his fight scenes were so, so. I felt Tai Chi Master, Fong Sai Yuk, and New Legend of Shoaling made better use of Li's talents.
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:
Summary: but strong racist overtones
Review: Overtones is an understatement. The message is: all outsiders are bad news, especially Americans. Odd dialogue given both good and evil are displayed in both chinese and westerners. Maybe something was lost in the translation to english. I cant read lips. I sure as hell cant read lips in chinese.
The martial arts scenes are terrific. Jet Li is, IMHO, the very best. Jackie Chan does stunts, Li fights.
If you can get past the dialogue, it's a great movie.
Rating:
Summary: What Set The Bar For Kung-fu Movies!
Review: Finally, a pure kung fu movie that has a much deeper meaning than some type of revenge. This film is one of the many stories of the chinese hero Wong Fei Hung. It is about how western culture begins to influence the chinese and the rest of the world. Times are changing and they must change with them or risk being left behind, but through all this must not forget their history and what made China great to begin with.
Packed with awesome fights and action, this is what set the standard for kung fu movies today. Starring Jet Li in the role that launched him into action movie stardom, he displays his unmatched skill and talent of martial arts. There are fight scenes throughout the whole movie involving one on one match- ups, group battles, weapons fights, and a final fight scene that can stand up to any other ever filmed. This is also probably one of his finest acting performances ever! There is very little humor in this film which is a nice change from the many comedy style kung fu flicks. What little comedy there is is done perfect coming across as well timed and not just silliness as fans of the genre are used to.
Don't worry about getting the import version of the film as some reviewers say, this one has both the original subtitled version and the english dubbed version which is disappointedly around 20 minutes shorter. Both are in anamorphic widescreen and have great sound. The picture quality is slightly less than perfect but still better than many asain films made around this time.
Loaded with mostly realistic fighting and plenty of it(very few high-wire acts) fight fans will be in awe! This is a must own for any action junkie!
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