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Review
by Kozo: |
The sequel to Tsui Hark's epic Once Upon a Time
in China features Wong Fei-Hong (Jet Li) battling
the White Lotus Cult, who are bent on expelling foreigners
from China. While at a medical convention in Canton,
Wong meets and befriends Dr. Sun Yat-Sen (Zhang Tie
Lin). However, this puts him at odds with the local
magistrate (led by Donnie Yen), who are trying to
squish the growing rebellion led by Dr. Sun. Ever
the champion of justice, Wong teams with Sun to help
the rebellion, but can only do so by stopping the
evil White Lotus Cult from doing evil White Lotus
Cult things.
The series' famed political
overtones prove surprisingly effective in this film,
giving the plot an affecting resonance. The history
and fiction combine more seamlessly in this film,
though historically the film is far from accurate.
Still, the story is relatively easy to follow for
a Once Upon a Time in China film, and Jet Li
shows great presence as Wong Fei-Hong. Max Mok replaces
Yuen Biao as comedy-relief sidekick Leung Fu, and
proves more fitting for the role. Rosamund Kwan reprises
her role as Aunt Yee.
The film is better balanced
than the original, too. Director Tsui Hark handles
all the disparate elements well. History, comedy,
pathos and action are blended together to make Once
Upon a Time in China II the best in the series.
Yuen Woo-Ping's excellent choreography won a Hong
Kong Film award, and the knock-down battle between
Jet Li and Donnie Yen ranks as one of Hong Kong Cinema's
absolute best. If you must see any Once Upon a
Time in China movie, make it this one. (Kozo 1996) |
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