Il était une fois en Chine 5 : Dr Wong et les Pirates

This movie was the fifth in the epic OUATIC series and Zhao Wen-Zhou's second performance as Wong Fei-Hung. However, this movie is by far the least of the series. The plot deals with Master Wong and his bumbling cohorts and their attempts to fight off pirates. The conflict between the pirates and the heroes seems quite underdeveloped. There is too much goofball humor between Clubfoot, Sol, Butcher Wing, and Foon. Zhao isn't given much of a chance to use any of his skills. This movie doesn't have the epic scope or historical themes that made the first three movies great. The movie is also incredibly violent. The love story between Master Wong and Aunt Yee was basically left alone after a while leaving the viewer wondering what's to come of it. The only things that make this movie worth watching are some good gunplay, Xiong Xin Xin's excellent kicks, and some Wushu by Zhao Wen-Zhuo.

Once Upon a Time in China V (1994), directed by Tsui Hark, is an exciting and funny adventure that brings back the iconic Wong Fei-hung, played by Vincent Zhao. The film takes viewers on a wild journey as the hero faces off against a vicious group of pirates who are exploiting the political turmoil from foreign invaders to wreak havoc along the Chinese coast.

Tsui Hark's direction is top-notch, skillfully mixing kung-fu action with acrobatic gunfights, resulting in a one-of-a-kind and thrilling experience for the audience. The action scenes are abundant and brilliantly choreographed, featuring an amazing gold-tinted brawl set in a treasure-filled warehouse. This particular scene alone makes the ticket worth it and highlights the remarkable skills of the cast and crew.

The film also introduces some John Woo-style bullet-ballet chaos, which ramps up the excitement and distinguishes it from earlier installments. The fusion of classic kung-fu and contemporary gunplay creates a vibrant and captivating show that keeps viewers glued to their seats.

Vincent Zhao gives a strong performance as Wong Fei-hung, embodying the spirit of the fearless hero while adding his unique touch to the role. The supporting cast also shines brightly, with each actor fully diving into their characters and enhancing the film's overall appeal.

In summary, Once Upon a Time in China V is a wildly entertaining film that highlights Tsui Hark's outstanding direction and the amazing talents of its cast. With its perfect mix of humor, kung-fu, and gun action, this movie is a must-watch for genre fans and anyone seeking an exhilarating cinematic experience.

Oct 21

Once upon a time in china V betters the last one and gets back to the standard of numbers 2 and 3.

No Jet Li again but Rosamund Kwan is back, the humour rolls along nicely in this one and we get some pirates.

Good addition to the series.

Jet Li wasn't in 4 and 5 but was busy during these years making some seriously impressive films including Last Hero In China, which is effectively a bit of a comedy take on this series, but happens to be an excellent comedy martial arts film.

8 out of 10.