I found this Chinese film in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, the title did not suggest a particular plot to me, but critics rated this four out of five stars, so I hoped it would live up to that. Basically set in the late 19th Century in Canton, Wong Fei Hung (Jet Li) is a legendary martial arts hero forced to take a stance against foreign forces (English, French and American) stealing the resources of China. Aunt Yee (Rosamund Kwan) returns to the country from America, she seems to have become westernised, and Wong Fei Hung resumes his role as her protector, but a fierce battle is growing against foreign and local government, and this also affects his martial arts school and those enrolled in the military forces. The violence escalates and Wong Fei Hung is forced to fight more brutally against the oppressors, but it is a question as to whether he can fight without weapons like the other side seem to be using. Also starring Yuen Biao as Leung Fu and Jacky Cheung as Buck Teeth Soh. To be honest I could not follow everything political and complicated going on, including perhaps why violence was occurring, besides a battle between governments and military going on, but young Li proves to be an upcoming star, and the fight sequences and colourful locations and costumes more than make up for the confusion I had, five sequels and short lived television series followed this original, a watchable martial arts action drama. Good!
Review of Once Upon a Time in China
