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Once Upon a Time in Shanghai (恶战) is another action-packed drama film from the legendary martial arts choreographer, Yuen Wo Ping and HK action legend, Sammo Hung. The film sets in Shanghai in the 1930s, where the city once attracted many youngsters from different provinces in China to find fortune and fame. The film has a simplistic and straightforward plot, a story about a youngster, Ma Yong Zhen, well- equipped with martial arts and possesses incredible strength on his right fist, together with an unshakable sense of morality, comes to Shanghai looking for an opportunity.

While it's nothing new here, the story is predictable as these sort of movies been done countless times before in the past, but this is a well- made stylish action film that reminds me of the HK martial arts films of the 80s and 90s about the criminal underworld and Japanese infiltration. The film features a lot of impressive martial art fight scenes...the intensity and swiftness of the fights between the actors were just astonishing to watch. You still cheer the lead character, saying 'Serves them right!' when he puts down the bad guys in the climatic battle near the end.

Although the brotherhood and romantic love themes in the films are not properly fleshed out or developed, it still engaging enough to hold the action scenes together for the audience to continue watching it until the very end. It seems that Andy On and Phillip Ng are further establishing themselves as rising action stars other than the currently famous Donnie Yen. Not a bad movie by any means, this is still a decent Chinese film to watch for martial arts action junkies.

Rating: 7/10

http://yjcool.blogspot.com/2014/01/movie-review-once-upon-time-in- shanghai.html

Review: I really enjoyed this movie because it shows you that when you come to a new country with dreams of becoming something the chances are slim to non that you will actually achieve that especially if you are new to a country. The direction and screenplay are both really good. Both the casting and acting are really good also. All in all I would give this five out of a possible five stars.

This modern take on The Boxer from Shantung from 1972 from Ching-Po Wong was a chance find for myself but I'm glad I did.

Set in 30's crime ridden Shanghai the film is shot in black and white with splashes of colour.

Excellent cinematography, flawless sets, not too over the top cgi and a classic albeit very predictable storyline.

Once Upon a Time in Shanghai delivers where it needs to most - lots of quality choreographed action.

A must for any kung-fu movie nut and the casual fan alike, if you're not already a fan of Philip Ng prepare to become one.

Lets face it, the glory days of our Hong Kong action heroes such as Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Jet Lee and such are gone... Heck, they don't even make them the same anymore, with each new film becoming more and more Hollywood-ised which was part of the reason we loved them in the first place - gritty originality!

And with respect to all my heroes, it is nice to see a host of them standing proud alongside the next generation of action stars - namely, the handsome Philip Ng and Andy On.

Once Upon A Time In Shanghai brings these great 2 talents together under the wing of the fantastic Wong Jing, amazing Yuen Woo Ping and many more to give us an epic martial arts feature!

Sharing the screen is the always incredible Sammo Hung, Yuen Cheung Yan, Chen Kwan Tai to name but a few, each gaining a bout of screen action without ever stealing the limelight from the ass kicking Philip Ng.

Beautifully shot and directed, simple and hard hitting, OUATIS is worthy of a place in any kung fu film fans collection!!

I did not enjoy this movie. Most of the fight scenes are good. A few parts made me laugh, but most of the comedy doesn't translate. I was not invested in the story or characters. And every time a character laughs, it's so obnoxious and borderline cartoonish. Super cringe.

1 viewing, 1/1/2022.