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Once Upon A Time In China 1 | Actors/Actresses: - Biao Yuen - Jet Li - Rosamund Kwan - Hark Tsui An Action Movie With a Great Story In the inaugural film in this series, martial arts film legend Jet Li stars as Dr. Wong Fei-Hung, a real life folk hero of 19th century China. Combining solid martial arts action (as you'd expect from a Jet Li movie) with an equally solid storyline which delves into actual historical elements, this movie is a winner all-around, thus justifying the Hong Kong Film Award that it received. THE STORY: It is 19th century China and Western influence is growing in China bringing with it both good and bad elements. Dr. Wong Fei-Hung, a noted martial arts instructor and doctor, as well as his countrymen must contend with the expanding influence of the West. The country is in turmoil. A band of Chinese slave traders, who sell their own countrymen to American slave traders, both for labor as well as female prostitution, arises and Fei-Hung must put a stop to them when his own favorite aunt, (a Westernized Chinese girl) Aunt Yee (Rosamund Kwan) is kidnapped by the slave traders. Added into this mix is the fact that Wong Fei-Hung and his school of fighters are considered outlaws by the local government and are hunted and imprisoned and also the fact that a rival martial arts master, Iron Robe Yim (Yee Kwan Yan) arrives in town to challenge him. THE COOL STUFF: If you love martial arts action you've got TONS of it here. The fight scenes are NUMEROUS and ELABORATE as you'll be treated to tons of fighting set in 19th century China is tons of marketplace settings as well as vintage Chinese dwellings and buildings. The sets and costumes are just awesome. The fight scenes between Wong and Yim are just awesome. THE DVD FEATURES: The features of the DVD, while not extensive as most new DVDs are, are perfectly acceptable. Included on this DVD are the following: 1.Commentary Track by Hong Kong film expert Ric Meyers. Tons of great inside info. 2.Bonus Movie Trailers for the following: a.Once Upon a Time in China I b.Miracles by Jackie Chan c.Who Am I? By Jackie Chan d.Gorgeous by Jackie Chan e.Gen X Cops 3.Filmographies for Director Tsui Hark, Jet Li and Rosamund Kwan THE VERDICT: Besides oohing and aahing to tremendous fight scenes you'll also be treated to a great look into a crucial period in Chinese history. Highest Recommendation The "Godfather" of Martial Arts Films This is the very first Jet Li film I saw a few years ago, and to this day I still consider it one of his best efforts along with Fist of Legend, My Father is a Hero, and Tai Chi. Although Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon will set a new standard for the genre, this film stands out on its own in that it was, and still is, one of the few martial films with a coherent story. And unlike American films that utilize martial arts, the fighting in this film is justified: there is a reason for every fight you see in the film. I thought that Jet Li was a noble choice for the role of Wong Fei Hung. Tsui Hark truly allows Jet's phenomenal skills to shine in his film and I truly hope they get to collaborate again. It is also noteworthy to point out Hark's interweaving of Chinese history into the plot, which actually makes the film more interesting. Moreover, while watching this film I just can't get over how visually impressive Hark's filmmmaking is. I almost always compare this film to the Godfather because both Hark and Coppola know how to combine plot, character, artistry, and violence in their films. For those who have yet to see a Jet Li film, I suggest watching him in Lethal Weapon 4 or Romeo Must Die first. Then pick up this film and Fist of Legend so you can truly appreciate not only Jet Li, but matial arts films in general. One of the finest Kung Fu Flicks of all time Wong Fei Hung is an important figure, not only to Chinese history, but also to me as a student of the style, which he helped make famous. The Hung Gar Style is traced back to Hung Tsi Kwan (there are lots of debates over the spelling of his name) who taught Luk Ah Choy, and Wong Tai (Wong Fei Hung's grand father) who taught Wong Kei Ying (Fei Hung's father) who refused to teach Fei Hung, forcing him to turn to Luk Ah Choy for lessons. Fei Hung then went on to teach Lam Sai Wing (who is depicted in this film, albeit inaccurately) who wrote the book that more or less made the style famous. Hung Gar is a very common style in Southern China, but is very rare stateside with only a small number of schools teaching it. Wong Fei Hung is therefore a matter of great interest to me, which is why I bought this film without actually seeing it first. Lucky for me it ended up being a very worthwhile purchase. Buy Once Upon A Time In China 1 at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Once Upon A Time In China 1 Search with the Priority Search Engine on Once Upon A Time In China 1 This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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