Once Upon a Time in China (1991) Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, Yuen Biao, Jacky Cheung, Steve Tartalia, Kent Cheng, Yee Kwan Yan. Music by Romeo Diaz, James Wong. Screenplay by Yiu Ming Leung, Pik-yin Tang, Tsui Hark, Kai-Chi Yun. Directed by Tsui Hark. In Cantonese with English subtitles. 128 minutes. Rated R, 3.5 stars
Review by Ed Johnson-Ott, NUVO Newsweekly www.nuvo.com Archive reviews at http://us.imdb.com/ReviewsBy?Edward+Johnson-Ott To receive reviews by e-mail at no charge, send subscription requests to ejohnsonott@prodigy.net or e-mail ejohnsonott-subscribe@onelist.com with the word "subscribe" in the subject line.
"Once Upon a Time in China" is considered a classic in its country of origin. First released in 1991, the film was popular enough to spawn a number of imitators, not to mention five sequels. Watching the original, it's easy to understand why. The sprawling adventure showcases the charismatic Jet Li and features romance, intrigue, picturesque settings and a string of remarkably inventive fight scenes. What's not to like?
Jet Li stars as the legendary Chinese hero Wong Fei-Hong (nearly 100 films have been made about the icon, including Jackie Chan's "The Legend of Drunken Master"). The actor does his own stunts (with some wirework to jazz up the proceedings) and the results are spectacular. In addition to the amazing battles, the story offers an interesting look at another culture.
Set in the late 19th century, "Once Upon a Time in China" (in Cantonese with English subtitles) shows a populace under siege from the outside world. More and more often, colonial forces from the United States and Britain turn up on native shores. Their presence is intimidating, to say the least, but the indigenous people have no intention of succumbing. Their resistance ranges from small (neighborhood musicians play and sing at top volume to drown out the hymns of western missionaries) to full-scale military face-offs.
The head of a healing clinic, Wong is asked by a general in the Black Flag army to teach the locals self-defense by training them in the art of kung fu. Things get complicated with the arrival of Wong's "Aunt" Yee (Rosamund Kwan), just back from a two-year stay in the West. Despite her title, Yee and Wong are not related and romance simmers between the two (watch for a lovely bit of shadow flirting from Yee).
As for bad guys, there are too many here to keep track of. A gang from a neighboring town tries to extort local businessmen, corrupt government officials abound, and then there are those nasty foreigners. I tried to keep up with them all, but soon gave up. My advice to you is to keep your eyes on Wong, his comrades and Yee, and just watch the fireworks. You can sort out the particulars on subsequent viewings.
And you will want to watch it again. While early segments of "Once Upon a Time in China" contain some embarrassing low comedy, Jet Li's performance, coupled with his kung fu wizardry, carries the viewer through any shaky patches. The fight scenes are the main attraction, of course, and the film delivers the goods again and again. My favorite is a segment where Wong and his foe use ladders in a breathtaking duel. Have fun choosing your own.
© 2001 Ed Johnson-Ott
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