Era Uma Vez na China 3

In order to unite the people of China and strengthen their spirit, the Qing government decides to hold a lion dance competition to promote the study of kung fu. This only leads to violence and conflict. Wong Fei Hung, who is visiting Beijing, sees this and is disgusted by the way it's being handled. However, his efforts to get through to the government are futile. He finds himself having to join the competition when he discovers a plot by the Russians to assassinate President Li Hung Chang.

This was the first movie in the OUATIC series that I saw. I was actually quite disappointed when I first saw it. I thought the fighting lacked intensity and the end seemed anti-climatic. It's not that the choreography is bad. Jet looks fit and is in great fighting shape for the film. However, there are no good one-on-one battles for him. His duel with Xiong Xin Xin in the street is short and disappointing, as is the finale against the head of the oil factory. The lion dance scenes are cool.

The story on the other hand, is really good. It has just the right amount of romance, humor, and historical background to sustain itself between the fight scenes. This would be the last of the truly historically relevant entries of the series, as the following films were either over-the-top or would not even focus on historical matters.

Overall, this is good watching. This is not one of Jet's greatest performances fighting-wise. The story makes up for it. Oh, and let me add that Rosamund Kwan is cuter than ever in this movie.

It's the turn of the century Beijing. China, under the rule of the Dowager Queen, is besieged by Western powers. She decides to hold a Dancing Lion competition to showcase China's physical prowess. Wong Fei-Hung (Jet Li) and sidekick Chung arrive and meet up with 13th Aunt (Rosamund Kwan). They find the Cantonese Association ransacked and his father injured by Clubfoot.

This is mostly good. I like Jet Li and Rosamund Kwan. It's a cute romance. Jet Li is doing a more traditional character. I like his jealousy over the Russian. I would rather not have the Russian turn full villain, but it is a way to amp up the drama. The final battle is rather chaotic. I couldn't tell one lion from another. I thought they would do it tournament style with Jet Li facing off against Clubfoot in the final battle. That would have been better. This has some good fun in the first half and I stayed engaged until the end.

After seeing this, I realized Tsui Hark really has a knack for period films. Jet Li is Master Wong in this third part of OUATIC series. Honestly, I really enjoyed the scenes with Wong and Aunt Yee (played by always lovely Rosamund Kwan). The way they play off each other is so innocent that you can't help have a smile on your face. It's also a chance to see a jealous Jet Li which adds to the humor. You really root for him to get the girl (lucky Jet).

The action is on point as Jet Li displays his martial arts prowess as he battles a lot of enemies. Great use of a jacket to ward off a street battle and the restaurant fight scene is classic Jet Li (you gotta love that shadowless kick). The Lion dance ceremony was interesting and I enjoyed how chaotic it was as all the dragons battled to get the bait. Foon adds comic relief and Club Foot was a cool character who knows how to get his "kicks".

Overall, I had to see this one after watching part one and two. Even though I expected to see superb fighting, I really enjoyed the romance in the film as well.

In the third film, Jet Li goes to Beijing to visit his father. Doesn't have as much good fighting as the other 3 OUATICs that Li is in, but Xiong Xin Xin plays a great Clubfoot Seven. Worth seeing only if you really like the OUATIC series (like me). 3/5 stars, I'd have to say the best part and most hilarious is Aunt Yee teaching Huang Fei Hong english, which is of course only funny if you understand and watch the cantonese/mandarin version, not the dubbed.

Once Upon a Time in China III, directed by Tsui Hark, brings back Jet Li as the legendary Wong Fei Hung in this exciting third chapter of the series. Li's performance as Fei Hung is as engaging as ever, infusing the character with both depth and charm.

The film shines with the return of Rosamund Kwan as Aunt Yee, Fei Hung's love interest. Kwan's portrayal adds a sweet touch of shyness and motivation to the plot, perfectly balancing Li's commanding presence. The introduction of Fei Hung's father, Wong Kei-Ying, played by Shun Lau, adds another layer to the story, enhancing the family dynamics.

However, the standout character is definitely Club Foot (or Iron Foot, depending on the subtitles), portrayed by Xin Xin Xiong. Xiong delivers a deeply emotional and complex performance that often overshadows the main villain, making Club Foot a more intriguing antagonist. Meanwhile, Jin Chiu's role as the wealthy martial artist Chiu Tin-Bai is impressive, bringing an extra layer of depth to his character.

While the main villain might not be as strong as others, the entire cast delivers solid performances that keep viewers hooked. Tsui Hark's direction is top-notch, skillfully mixing thrilling martial arts action with emotional storytelling and character growth.

Once Upon a Time in China III is a fantastic addition to the franchise, providing fans with an epic story that highlights the talents of its cast and the vision of its director. Despite a few shortcomings, it's definitely a must-watch for martial arts enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates the craft of this genre.