Once Upon a Time In Shanghai

Once Upon a Time in Shanghai, a 2014 film, is an intense, action-packed martial arts extravaganza that successfully revives the spirit of the classic Kung Fu genre. This movie condenses a powerful punch of traditional Chinese culture, while still providing a compelling storyline infused with an exhilarating blend of drama, crime, and martial arts. Directed by Wong Ching-Po and written by Jing Wong, this neo-noir action film features a stellar cast of famous martial artists, including Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, Andy On, and Philip Ng.

Set in 1930s Shanghai, the film introduces us to the protagonist Ma Yongzhen (Philip Ng), a young and determined laborer from Shandong who dreams of making it big in the bustling, glamorous, and yet gritty city. Hungry for success and a better future, he challenges the city's underworld gang with nothing more than his fearsome prowess and near-superhuman martial arts skills. The character of Ma Yongzhen is based on a real historical figure, which adds a touch of authenticity to the high-flying action and dramatic narrative.

Philip Ng's captivating performance as the young, stubborn, and innocent laborer outshines, displaying an incredible range of martial arts techniques with his fists and his emotion-filled acting that reaches the heart of the audiences. His transformation from an ordinary laborer to a do-gooder hero is a story of unadulterated ambition and enormous courage that will keep your eyes glued to the screen.

Beside him shines veteran martial arts superstar Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, who plays Master Tie, a dignified yet fierce Kung Fu master, and owner of a local martial arts club. He becomes a mentor figure for Ma, teaching him to harness his raw fighting power and guiding him through the ruthless Shanghai mob scene. Hung’s veteran status in the martial arts film industry shines throughout his performance, blending fighting prowess with a mature understanding of the human condition, making an intriguing counterpart to Ng's younger, more zealous figure.

Andy On fills out the triad of main actors, appearing as the charismatic yet chillingly villainous mobster Long Qi, a self-proclaimed "King of Shanghai". With his fiery performance, Andy On breathes life into the antagonist, creating an engrossing adversary for Ma Yongzhen. As the film unfolds, tensions rise, and loyalties are tested, spiraling the plot into a cyclone of crime, power, and stunning martial art duels.

Once Upon a Time in Shanghai stands as an exciting blend of old-school martial arts film and modern action cinema. Through a rich visual style filled with sepia tones and textured cinematography, Wong immerses you in the harsh realities of tumultuous, pre-WWII era Shanghai. The seedy back alleys, opulent mob boss mansions, and raucous tea houses evoke a vivid picture of the gritty city where dreams and dangers walk hand-in-hand.

The fight scenes in the movie are choreographed by the legendary Yuen Woo-Ping, enhancing the film's vintage aesthetic with well-timed sequences that are both intricately stylish and raw. Combining an array of fighting styles, these sequences amp up the film's energy to totally engaging levels, making the viewers feel every punch, kick, and strike.

Elevating the intense storyline and action further is the film's emotionally charged score that weaves in traditional Chinese music, imbuing the film with a deep sense of nostalgia and historical significance. The film is peppered with themes of loyalty, friendship, honor, and ambition, which are profoundly expressed through interactions between the characters and their struggles in the corrupt world they inhabit.

With its remarkable cast, engaging plot, and stunning martial arts choreography, Once Upon a Time in Shanghai distinguishes itself as an intriguing film within its genre. It is a cinematic ode to the classic period martial arts movies, yet it manages to carve out its originality through its storytelling and fresh execution. This is not just a movie about fights and gangster drama, but it's a tale about survival in a harsh world, and about standing up for what's right in the face of brutal adversity. Ultimately, Once Upon a Time in Shanghai is a must-watch for fans of martial arts cinema, bringing together traditional and modern elements in a riveting explosion of action, drama, and classic Kung Fu lore.