As a concept, is history being re-written through the cinema? Or alternatively, is the cinema preserving the ideology of a story written within a visual tale? Intriguing question,
right? And one that will not be answered in this classic Kung-Fu film Directed
by Tsui Hark; and Starring: Jet Li, Yuen Biao, Jacky Cheung, Rosamund Kwan, and
Shi-Kwan Yen. It was made in 1991, and lasts for 134 minutes.Once Upon a Time in China
THE STORY:
Once upon a time in frugal China
For example, when a distant relative asks him to look after
his 13th Aunt (Rosamund Kwan), inadvertently, she starts to fall in love with him. Or when he tries to resolve a territorial dispute with foreign dignitaries, amidst his discussion, members of his own militia are caught fighting with a rival gang, and arrested accordingly. Moreover, went Wong tries to talk to
this rival gang and bring them to justice, his clinic was burnt down in an act
of retaliation.
Pretty bad turn of events, I am sure that you'll agree. But
to make matters even worse for Wong, is that this same rival gang ally
themselves with a dubious' American contingent, whom go about perverting the
Chinese people, as well as trying to get their own back on Wong as well.
Now what the chop-sticks can Wong do about this, huh? Play
along and hope for the best? No - that's not his style. Though maybe it is for
mischievous acrobat, Leung Foon (Yuen Biao).
You see, during Wong's troubles, Foon has been darting in
and out of them like a jack in a box on heat. Just trying his damndest to get a
better footing within frugal China
Granted, not the best answer in the world. Because instead
of Foon and Iron Robe going to Wong and trying to aide his situation, they'd
rather attempt to abase Wong's good name, and ally themselves with his enemies.
Ooops! Bad move.
Well, I suppose that is why what next transpires is a
learning experience for one and all. As good and bad do fight - transgressions
happen throughout the night - gun-powder does not hold might - and one Wong
does make a right.
A beginning.
THE REVIEW:
Now before I give you my opinion on 'Once Upon a Time in China
Ready? Good. Let's go. (1) Jet Li badly
damaged his knee during production, and he was doubled by Hung Yan-yan for some of the action scenes. However, for some of the other action scenes, he did himself with his leg in plaster. (2)
The actor who played Bucktooth So, Jacky Cheung, was in fact a Jackie Chan
imitator in the eighties. With such films as 'Fist of Death' [click here for
review] under his belt. (3) The character of 'Porky' was in fact a real person who went by the
name of 'The Butcher'. Also, he was the person who told the life
and times of Wong Fei-hung to his Grandson, Run-Run Shaw, who was a Hong Kong
movie producer, whom then went on to make these parables into the famous hung gar movies
of the forties on-wards. (4) According media related
sources, this movie started out as a proposed new film to star Jackie Chan,
Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao. Jackie would have played Wong [which he'd previously
played in 'Drunken Master'], Sammo would have played Porky [which he did in
'The Magnificent Butcher'] and Yuen would have played Lueng Foon [which he did
in 'Lin Shi Rong'). But alas, this idea did not really pan out in this manner,
and only Yuen Biao made it into the finished film. (5) Most of the
fighting techniques Jet uses in this film aren't the same as hang gar, because
it's a combination of the long fist method and tai chi. (6) Yuen Biao was
not happy with the end result of this film, because he thought that he would
have had more screen time all in all. You see, in the original hung gar movies
of the forties, Foon [Yun's character] was the 'mischievous imp' whom acted as
the focus for the majority of the film, until Wong Fei-hung stepped in at the
end of it to save the day. (7) When this film was originally released, Jet got a lot
of flack because people thought he was too young to play Wong Fei-hung. (8)
This film was called 'Wong Fei-hung' in the East, and 'Once Upon a Time in China America
Ooops! Was that a little too much information? Yeah. Sorry
about that. Sometimes I get carried away and let rip like a martial artist's
who likes to paint a lot. Which funny enough, is what you can say about 'Once
Upon A Time in China
Well, I have to admit, when I first sat down and watched
this film many a year ago, I was immediately blown away by how beautiful it
looked. The sets were polished. The lighting was atmospheric. The actors were
stoic and full of character. Plus the story was compelling to boot.
And, for me, all of these factors really did showHong Kong
cinema at its best.
And, for me, all of these factors really did show
My own personal favourite thing about this piece, apart from
the high wire action, was the social commentary on how China
Also, I did like how both the actors and the action had an
almost incremental way of getting onto the screen, as if you had to ascertain
the essence of the movie before it started to play out.
Honestly, I cannot praise this movie enough. The only
thing that I can find wrong with it, is that sometimes the dubbing comes across
as being a bit echo-ei within certain scenes, and that the acting does appear
overtly mannered with one or two of the supporting cast.
But apart from that, nish! It's a great film.
Here, to close off my factual review, have a listen to the
title song as performed by some funny looking chap called Jackie Chan.
THE RATING: A
ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA
Reviewed by David Andrews
on
May 02, 2012
Rating:
Reviewed by David Andrews
on
May 02, 2012
Rating:
