Watch Once Upon a Time in China III
- R
- 1993
- 1 hr 45 min
-
6.7 (7,631)
Once Upon a Time in China III is a martial arts film released in 1992 and directed by Tsui Hark. It is the third installment in the Once Upon a Time in China film series, starring Jet Li as Wong Fei-hung, a legendary Chinese hero and a master of martial arts. The movie is set in the late 19th century in China, during a time of political and social turmoil. Wong Fei-hung, along with his loyal disciples Buck Tooth So, Leung Foon, and Aunt Yee, return to their hometown of Canton after completing their martial arts training in the North.
Upon their arrival, they find that the city is being torn apart by rival factions, including the colonial powers of Britain, France, and America, who are vying for economic control of China. The Chinese people are angry and frustrated with the foreigners' bullying tactics, and Wong Fei-hung quickly becomes their beacon of hope.
As Wong tries to mediate the tensions between the factions, he also has to deal with a new challenger, a ruthless warrior named Clubfoot (played by Siu Chung Mok), who seeks to establish his dominance over the martial arts world.
The movie's plot revolves around Wong's efforts to bring peace to the troubled city, while at the same time preparing his disciples for the ultimate showdown with Clubfoot. Along the way, Wong must also confront his own inner demons and come to terms with his growing love for Aunt Yee (Rosamund Kwan), a woman he has known since childhood.
The movie is filled with breathtaking action sequences that showcase Jet Li's exceptional martial arts skills. From the opening sequence, which features Wong fighting off a group of thugs in a bustling market, to the climactic battle between Wong and Clubfoot atop a bamboo scaffold, the fight scenes are expertly choreographed and filmed.
But the movie is not just about the action. It also delves into deeper themes, such as the struggle for national identity in the face of foreign aggression, the tension between tradition and modernity, and the role of the individual in society.
Moreover, the film's portrayal of Wong Fei-hung as a heroic figure who embodies the values of loyalty, courage, and honor, has made him a cultural icon in China and around the world. Jet Li's performance as Wong Fei-hung has been widely acclaimed, and his portrayal of the character has helped to establish him as one of the greatest martial arts actors of all time.
Overall, Once Upon a Time in China III is a powerful and poignant movie that combines thrilling action with compelling storytelling. It is a fitting conclusion to the Once Upon a Time in China trilogy and a testament to the enduring popularity of Jet Li and Wong Fei-hung.
Once Upon a Time in China III is a 1993 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.