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With
Once
Upon A Time In China,
acclaimed Hong Kong director Tsui Hark has fashioned
a cinematic explosion of action and color — a
veritable showcase for the amazing talents of
martial artist Jet Li.
He plays Master Wong Fei-hung, a
real-life 19th Century doctor and martial arts
instructor who's become an important figure in
modern Chinese folklore. Respected and admired
by his community, Wong is incensed by the encroachment
upon his homeland by Western powers. When he is
given command of the Black Flag militia (a paramilitary
organization of patriotic citizens) he immediately
comes in conflict with the criminal Shaho Gang,
as well as influential American businessman Mr.
Jackson and the local officials corrupted by him.
Jackson is running a slavery racket under the
guise of hiring Chinese labor for transport to
California. The Shaho Gang extorts money from
small business owners and sells women to Jackson
for forced prostitution. After Wong's disciple
"Porky" Wing (the obligatory "fat
guy" comic relief) prevents the gang from
shaking down a local theater owner, Shaho thugs
almost burn down Wong's compound with flaming
arrows. Wong tries to restrain his followers from
operating outside the law but events force them
to take action. This only serves to get Wong and
his men in more trouble with the authorities.
Amidst all these difficulties
appears a mysterious fighter, the awesome Master
Yim, who challenges Wong to prove who is the superior
martial artist.
Their first confrontation is a draw but Yim vows
a rematch. When Wong's relation by marriage —
a young Western-educated woman he refers to as
"Aunt 13" — is kidnapped by Shaho henchmen
for Jackson's slave ship, Wong and his company
of patriots are forced to mount a kung fu assault
on the gang's headquarters and Jackson's fortified
dockside compound. Yim, it turns out, is the Shaho
Gang's leader. Their rematch will be to the death.
Once
Upon A Time In China
is as much a paean to traditional Chinese theater
as it is a kick-ass kung fu movie. Its use of
color in the costumes and set decorations is a
delight for the eye. Thrillingly staged martial
arts combat and fantastical wire-work stunts amply
demonstrate the roots of Taiwan director Ang Lee's
much ballyhooed Crouching
Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Characters are less cardboard HK action figures
than interesting human beings, despite some of
their superhuman (in truth, mythological)
attributes.
Jet Li, with his blazing
speed and uncanny physical grace, is nothing short
of astonishing. With this film it's easy to see
why he's inherited the mantle of kung fu superstardom
from Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. Still, the movie's
about 20 minutes too long, which might try the
patience of the 'casual' martial arts fan.
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The
Columbia/Tristar disc of Once
Upon A Time In China is a satisfactory package,
though not without its flaws.
The letterboxed
print looks worn in spots with minor speckling throughout.
Digital mono sound quality is good. Both Cantonese
and Mandarin language tracks are provided, with
easy to read English subtitles that appear beneath
the picture. A number of trailers to a variety of
Hong Kong-produced films are included, as is an
informative audio commentary by Asian cinema expert
Ric Meyer.
The English-dubbed
version of the movie also comes on the disc, to
be found in the Special Features menu. As with most
Hong Kong flicks the dubbing leaves a lot to be
desired. Picture quality is inferior to the Chinese
version and some scenes, including an important
prologue, have been deleted. 6/17/01 |
