Once Upon a Time in China II

Jet Li returns as the legendary Wong Fei-hung in Tsui Hark’s kinetic masterpiece of movement and motion, the second film in “one of the most successful Chinese martial-arts franchises ever made, setting a gold standard in action choreography” (Maggie Lee, Criterion). One doesn’t need to be familiar with the legend (or the first film) to follow our good doctor and reluctant fighter Wong as he faces a fanatical anti-foreigner cult in Guangzhou, not to mention several Brits who are doubtful of Chinese medicine. Boasting a panache that matches any Hollywood blockbuster, the film anchored many a Hong Kong festival in the United States in the 1990s and still astounds on the big screen. “One cannot imagine Hong Kong cinema without Tsui—its golden age would lose its luster” (Lee). Paul Fonoroff appears as the British Consul (his voice dubbed by an actual Brit), on his way to an unfortunate encounter with Donnie Yen.