Criterion US Blu-ray Synopsis: One of the pinnacles of Hong Kong cinema's golden age, the Once Upon A Time In China series set a new standard for martial-arts spectacle and launched action star Jet Li to international fame. It brings to vivid life the colourful world of China in the late nineteenth century, an era of immense cultural and technological change, as Western imperialism clashed with tradition and public order was upended by the threats of foreign espionage and rising nationalism. Against this turbulent backdrop, one man – the real-life martial-arts master, physician, and folk hero Wong Fei Hung – emerges as a noble protector of Chinese values as the country hurtles toward modernity. Conceived by Hong Kong New Wave leader Tsui Hark, this epic cycle is not only a dazzling showcase for some of the most astonishing action set pieces ever committed to film but also a rousing celebration of Chinese identity, history, and culture. Though it picks up the narrative where the previous instalment left off, Once Upon A Time In China 4 introduces a new director, action choreographer Yuen Bun, and star, Vincent Zhao, who takes over the role of Wong Fei Hung from Jet Li. Once again, foreign skulduggery and a violent nationalist group – this time in the form of the fierce women warriors known as the Red Lantern Sect – swirl around a magnificent lion-dance competition, with Wong caught in the fray. Toning down the comedic and romantic elements of the first three films in favour of almost wall-to-wall kung-fu action, the fourth entry is the leanest and meanest of the series, highlighted by a gravity-defying fight atop a field of collapsing, domino-like planks. (101 Mins)

 

Views: With Once Upon A Time In China 4 set to go into production straight after the third film, Tsui Hark quickly found himself in a bit of a pickle as Jet Li had decided to step away from the series after playing Wong Fei Hung in the first 3 movies. Regardless, Tsui was determined to continue his saga with or without him and quickly found a replacement in the underrated and very talented Vincent Zhao Wen Zhuo. In fact, part 4 opens with an impressive scene that introduces Zhao as the new Wong Fei Hung, allowing him to display some incredibly fast and very impressive moves that confirms to the audience that he is a firm replacement as the well-loved folk hero. A short re-cap of what went on in the previous chapter plays during the opening credits, letting us know that this is clearly a continuation of that story and placing Wong (and company) still at his father's home in Beijing – although Aunt Yee has left on another trip. As a Governor arrives in town to meet with Wong Fei Hung, with his entourage and golden dragon on display, Leung Foon mistakes it for another challenger and rushes at them with their champion lion-head. As tensions build and the crowds begin to gather, Wong arrives to take control of the situation and turn it into a friendly dance-off. As it happens, the friendly official has arrived in town to bring the Golden Lion King Award to Master Wong – the same award he won and refused to take from the previous chapter. After the two become friends, the Governor requests the help of Wong for a new lion dance challenge – a must bigger one that could threaten the sovereignty of the nation, and one which has been organised by 8 foreign parties in a bid to drive the Chinese into submission. At the same time, Wong Fei Hung is asked by his beloved to keep an eye on her sister; Wong's 14th Aunt, who is as influenced by West as much as her sister is and runs a news printing company in town. And as if he didn't have enough to worry about, Wong and his party run into the Red Lantern Sect; a crazed society of kung-fu women who are intent on killing and burning any Westerners and their ideals – much like the White Lotus Cult before them. As violence in the town runs rampant and the foreigners set their plan in motion for a massive take-over of the capital, Wong Fei Hung must do what he can to stop the evil-doers and save Beijing from collapse!

 

I really like Once Upon A Time In China 4, and don't really understand why many people are opposed to it or say that it is the worst entry of the series. In believe that it's just as entertaining as the chapter it follows – albeit for a few messy moments of choreography during the final battle – and offers as much excitement as before with the great Vincent Zhao proving to be as great a Wong Fei Hung as Jet Li was, and especially in the action department. But I do believe that it was the change in stars that annoyed most people, no doubt many of whom were dedicated Jet Li fans by this stage. One thing you've got to remember folks – it wasn't Zhao who kicked Jet Li out to replace him, that was Jet's own decision! Then we have the change of directors, with Tsui Hark handing the reigns over to Once Upon A Time In China 3 choreographer, Yuen Bun, and although Tsui would still be heavily involved as the writer and producer of the film, there's no doubt in my mind that he put in his 10 cents worth with a bit of uncredited direction. Regardless, this underrated chapter of the series totally has lot to offer, from it's exciting kung-fu action to some visually stunning moments, and more...

 

Making his feature film debut as the wicked Governor who faces off against Jet Li in the awesome Fong Sai Yuk, Chinese actor Zhao Wen Zhuo (aka Chiu Man Cheuk) landed the role as Wong Fei Hung the very same year. It was a great start for him with a role following that in Tsui Hark's romance-fantasy, Green Snake, before he would return as the kung-fu master in Once Upon A Time In China 5 and the television movies in 1995 – sticking with Tsui that year for a further two films including The Chinese Feast and awesome One-Armed Swordsman reimagining, The Blade. While a few more great titles would follow such as Mahjong Dragon, The Blacksheep Affair, and Body Weapon, Zhao would see a shift in direction at the turn-of-the-century where he would star in more successful television shows than films including Tai Chi, Seven Swordsmen, Wind & Cloud, and Hua Mulan – but would see a resurgence of sorts when he starred as Beggar So in Yuen Woo Ping's fantastic True Legend. From there, Vincent Zhao made a welcome return to the big screen and returned to the role of Wong Fei Hung in films such as The Unity Of Heroes, Warriors Of The Nation, and Kung-Fu League respectively. While he's often had a lot of criticism and negative reviews surrounding his work, I've always enjoyed watching Zhao on-screen, and thoroughly enjoy him in the role of the legendary Wong Fei Hung. Although Rosamund Kwan sits this one out, having a crazy busy year with no less than 10 features going on including the Tsui Hark produced/Benny Chan directed Magic Crane, Blade Of Fury, Love Is A Fairy Tale, End Of The Road, and The Assassin with her Once Upon A Time In China 3 co-star, Max Mok. Kwan is replaced by the lovely Jean Wang who was fresh off the set from the Tsui Hark produced epic, Swordsman 3: The East Is Red. Wang plays Wong Fei Hung's 14th Aunt, May, who also returns in part 5, and finds herself in as much bother as Kwan's Aunt Yee – often relying on Fei Hung to save her. While she didn't do too bad a job in the role, there wasn't anything overly memorable about Aunt May that helped make the film any better. Still, Jean would find more fans and notoriety for her role as Miss Orchid in the fantastic Tsui produced Iron Monkey (which would go into production straight after this and before the next chapter). The handsome Max Mok returns as Leung Foon, delivering yet another fun performance that allows him to getting in on the action and play the comedy sidekick. Like many Hong Kong stars of his generation, and most before him, Mok made his debut as an actor in the Shaw Brothers studios starting with The Enchantress, a film directed by Chor Yuen. From there, the handsome hero would go on to star in films such as Holy Flame Of The Martial World, Journey Of The Doomed, Last Eunuch In China, The Dragon Family, Pedicab Driver, Outlaw Brothers, and so much more. His role here as Foon just elevated his status even more, with Mok continuing to play the character through every sequel (and series) except for part 6. And the great Hung Yan Yan returns as the popular Clubfoot – aka Ghost Foot Seven – the kick-ass rickshaw puller with an attitude who is now a dedicated follower of Wong Fei Hung. Having made his debut opposite Jet Li in Shaolin Temple 3: Martial Arts Of Shaolin, Hung would go on to appear in films such as Tiger On The Beat 1 & 2, Aces Go Places 5, City Cops, God Of Gamblers, and Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon before joining Tsui for his run in the Once Upon A Time In China series. I really loved him in this role, and his wild style of martial-arts action just added even more excitement to the mix – boosted even more here as a permanent member of the team. Lau Shun continues his role as the kung-fu hero's father, Wong Kai Ying, and gets to show off even more kung-fu action throughout the story. And Chinese martial-arts actor, Chen Ji Ming, who made his film debut in the superb mainland production Arhats In Fury, stars as the ill-fated friendly official, Deputy Governor Guan. I must admit though, I found the addition of Billy Chow and Chin Kar Lok as over-the-top villains, an interesting choice – and especially the latter, as he just seemed somewhat out of place. After a wild introduction that showed the swashbuckling Kar Lok defy gravity and Billy Chow punch a charging horse in the face to take it down, the pair are more or less kept to the side until the grand finale – albeit for a few scenes here and there to remind us that their characters are still around. Both are in cahoots with the foreigners who are intent on repressing the Chinese people to make their take-over much easier. A big part of that is the aforementioned lion-dance, with each of the invading countries providing their own giant animal to go up against Wong's regular sized lion. These include an eagle that can spit out 10 or 12 ropes to capture prey, a large turtle with bladed sides, and even more wild designs to add to the lunacy. That said, it all makes for an exciting showdown and is quite different to that of the previous chapter's big competition.

 

Some fans and critics alike have attacked Once Upon A Time In China 4 with comments that it's simply just a rehash of parts 2 & 3, mixing the theme of the lion-dance with the cult violence of the Red Lantern Sect. Much like the White Lotus Society from Once Upon A Time In China 2, this cult is intent on driving any and all foreign powers out of China. This includes murdering any Westerners that get in their way, bombing homes and buildings ran by foreigners, and becoming a law unto themselves in the process. But this cult is divided into 3 different ranks – red, green, and blue – and even though they are all female, they still prove to be even more ruthless and deadly than the White Lotus Cult; taking no prisoners and bombing everything in sight. They're practically a terrorist organisation! The first introduction of the Red Lantern Sect leads to a showdown against Wong Fei Hung who skilfully uses a whip to fight them off. It's a fantastic fight that leads to their leader and the kung-fu master getting arrested by the foreign armies – sentenced to death with noway out. Thankfully, a helpful Western priest (played by the late Louis Roth) helps them to escape their cells, allowing Fei Hung to let loose and break free from the prison. It's a powerful fight scene, both wild and violent, that sees Yuen Bun offer up some exciting choreography as the pair make their escape. In fact, Bun gives fight fans a lot to love throughout Once Upon A Time In China 4 with highlights including Wong Kai Ying and Clubfoot defending their home from the Red Lantern Sect – set among the red hue of their burning lamps and material. Another sees Wong Fei Hung make his way into the Red Lantern's headquarters where he has to survive a series of challenges. These include crossing an unsteady line of giant dominos while being attacked, making it through a maze of moving rice-paper screens as he avoids spinning blades and bombs, before he has to face off against a small army of kung-fu women and their crazy Holy Mother. It's an interesting and fun fight that reveals the use of wires, allowing Wong (and director Yuen Bun) to utilise them in the action. A further attack by the Red Lantern Sect on some foreigners allows Wong to put his trusty umbrella to use as a weapon – with the same attack seeing Billy Chow literally punching the head off the shoulders of their Holy Mother. Of course, the film closes with an impressive fight during the lion-dance in the Forbidden City, before Wong and his team go up against Billy Chow and Chin Kar Lok for an impressive and furious showdown!

 

The great Arthur Wong returns as the DOP for the film, along with cinematographers Ko Chiu Lam, Cho Man Keung, and Cheung Man Po, with each of them delivering some beautifully shot and well lit scenes that leave an impression. Marco Mak, director of Cop On A Mission and Naked Soldier, returns as the editor – and has went on to edit over 180 Hong Kong titles to date – and William Wu returns from the previous chapter as the musical director, offering up yet another enjoyable score. Although it has its flaws here and there, and namely (in my eyes) due to Chin Kar Lok's character – both in terms of development and through his fight scenes – I still believe that Once Upon A Time In China 4 is a worth entry to the series and well worth watching. Interestingly enough, this same year would see two worthy cinematic opponents of the series in the shape of the fun Fist From Shaolin; released in some places as Once Upon A Time In China: Fists From Shaolin (although it has nothing to do with the Tsui Hark films) starring Wang Qun as Wong Fei Hung, and Jet Li reprises his role under the direction of Wong Jing and Yuen Woo Ping in the highly enjoyable Last Hero From China – both films of course, are well worth watching. I say those of you in the Jet corner who were having a hissy fit because of Wong Fei Hung's recasting, need to step back and revisit this chapter of the series (as well as the next). There's a lot to love here and Vincent Zhao Wen Zhuo does a fantastic job in the role, and thanks to this incredible release of the full series from Criterion, the film has never looked so good...

 

Overall: Underrated and packed with plenty of great moments, Once Upon A Time In China 4 is exciting, full of great fights, and worth checking out!

 

Criterion Blu-ray Extras: 2K Restoration, Interview with Marco Mak, Trailer

​

Watch my unboxing video of this Criterion release HERE