Rating: R
Genre:
Action
Release Date: 07/17/2001
SubTitles: English/French/Espanol
Dubbed: English
Sound: DD5.1
Run Time: 112 min
Flags: Violence
Distributor/Studio: Columbia TriStar
In this, the third of what has become a long series of films, Doctor Wong Fei-Hung (
Jet Li), a master of the martial arts, defender of the poor, upholder of tradition and a Confucian scholar (in addition to being a medical man) is visiting Beijing during a competition designed to determine what group has the best Lion King dancers. The doctor's father, a member of the Cantonese Association in town, is well known for his ability to turn out the best Lion King, and the many criminal gangs of the city, usually embroiled in rivalry against one another, are of one mind when it comes to wanting to eliminate the threat that this "outsider" will win. However, they had not counted on the intervention of the good doctor and his helpers. Simultaneously, the doctor foils several nefarious plots against the government - one of which has gotten his lady-love, Aunt Yee (
Rosamund Kwan) involved.
~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
The promise of the
Once Upon a Time in China series becomes fully realized in this third chapter, as it features the most ambitious story and epic size yet. After an incredibly choreographed, colorful opening sequence, the film never lets up, maintaining the tight pace where the other chapters in the series had failed. Returning once again as all-around hero
Wong Fei Hung is the always charming
Jet Li along with series director,
Tsui Hark. This third entry sees
Hark further refining his skills as a director with a wonderfully unique flair for outrageous visuals and a knack for filming breathtaking
action sequences.
Once Upon a Time in China III also sees a triumph for
Hark, as it is by far the most streamlined of the series and has fewer embarrassing attempts at
comedy than the other two entries. Chapter three manages to outperform its predecessors on the
action level as well. Designed by
Yuen Woo Ping protégé
Yuen Bun,
action sequences like the one where
Wong (
Li) has a slip-sliding sword fight on a wet floor are sure to make any fan of over-the-top
action drool. As with all
Once Upon a Time in China films,
Li and
Hark save the best moments for last as
Wong has his final action-packed heroic moments against the mind blowing backdrop of tons of fire-breathing Chinese dragons. Made years before the American success of
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and
Hero,
Once Upon a Time in China III, is truly a mighty
martial arts masterpiece.
~ Jason Gibner, All Movie Guide
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