Once Upon a Time in China (re-release)

Name: Once Upon a Time in China (re-release)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, History
Released: April 27, 2001
Duration: 134 min
Cast: Biao Yuen, Jet Li

2001

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No score yet based on 3 Critic Reviews Awaiting 1 more review

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Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Ratings

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Once Upon A Time In China

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Movie Details & Credits

Rim | Release Date: April 27, 2001 | R

Starring: Biao Yuen, Jet Li

Summary: A new uncut print of the 1991 film, set in the period following the Opium Wars. This kung-fu film recharged the career of action star Jet Li who portrays the legendary 19th-century martial artist Master Wong Fei-Hong.

Director: Hark Tsui

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Drama, History

Rating: R

Runtime: 134 min

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Critic Reviews

New Times (L.A.) Andy Klein

Once the action kicks in -- starting with an extraordinary balletic fight in the rain featuring the two masters and a flying wooden beam -- you can't take your eyes off the screen. Read full review

J. Hoberman

Gets better as it goes along, building up to a prolonged shipboard finale. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not credited)

The action is lightning-fast and balletically staged, living up to the choreographic potential often claimed--but seldom truly realized--for martial arts pictures by their highbrow admirers. Read full review

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User Reviews

DavidM.

Nov 10, 2005

It's a good one. The ladder fight at the end sticks with me in particular.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Phabtar

Nov 2, 2010

It's funny, It's awesome and it's Jet li. The storyline is a bit screwed up, so much so that sometimes you can't seem to get on which side someone is on. For example, foon. It maybe due to discrepancies in languages. It's got a good balance of everything. Some parts are pointless and stupid,It's funny, It's awesome and it's Jet li. The storyline is a bit screwed up, so much so that sometimes you can't seem to get on which side someone is on. For example, foon. It maybe due to discrepancies in languages. It's got a good balance of everything. Some parts are pointless and stupid, I have to admit. But all the kick ass moves of Jet li compensates enuf for it all. Although more action would've been expected in this one.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Compi24

Aug 17, 2020

The kind of martial arts film to really impel you to appreciate the eminently dangerous work of stunt performers, Tsui Hark's "Once Upon A Time In China" strikes the perfect balance between being entertaining and being a coherently told narrative, featuring some welcomed spurts of humor andThe kind of martial arts film to really impel you to appreciate the eminently dangerous work of stunt performers, Tsui Hark's "Once Upon A Time In China" strikes the perfect balance between being entertaining and being a coherently told narrative, featuring some welcomed spurts of humor and levity throughout and an expectedly likable lead turn from the one and only Jet Li. Definitely one of the best I've seen from the genre in a long while.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Jul 5, 2009

Good for a 13 yr old, lots of action, some good scenery, but drags on.

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Broyax

Feb 20, 2018

Une chinoiserie particulièrement ratée malgré Jet Li qui saute partout, vole, marche et court sur les câbles et distribue des coups de latte à droite et à gauche... A dire vrai cependant, ce n'est que vers la fin que le Jet bien nommé distribue des mandales, car jusque là, le film est trèsUne chinoiserie particulièrement ratée malgré Jet Li qui saute partout, vole, marche et court sur les câbles et distribue des coups de latte à droite et à gauche... A dire vrai cependant, ce n'est que vers la fin que le Jet bien nommé distribue des mandales, car jusque là, le film est très avare en bagarres et souvent très bavard.

Les combats cela dit n'ont rien de passionnant ni de très spectaculaire et restent vraiment loin des films du genre qui a trouvé son apogée vers la fin des années 70, hormis plus tard quelques exceptions bien sûr avec Jet Li ou Jackie Chan : c'est définitivement au cas par cas. Cela tient sûrement à la mise en scène de Tsui Hark ici, peu appliquée et trop légère et qui laisse toujours une impression superficielle : bref, ça fait toc.

Léger, le film l'est totalement avec ses pitreries et son humour ridicule sur tous les plans ou presque ; ainsi, à l'ennui succèdent des facéties grotesques qui ne décrochent pas le moindre sourire. Et vice-versa. Là encore, le film sonne terriblement creux, ratant tout ce qu'il entreprend au fil d'un scénario idiot et mollasson.

En conséquence de quoi, Il était une fois en Chine ne dispose pas de la moindre once d'intérêt en stock, ni au premier, ni au dernier degré. Poubelle.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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