Once Upon A Time In Shanghai [Blu-ray]

Superb film. Completely unexpected how enjoyable this film is. It starts off like Shaolin Soccer or something in that vein, kinda wacky and fun but then it gets down to business. The fight scenes are top-shelf, the film noir-ish presentation makes it seem really gloomy and dark but that is not the whole message. The cinematography is interesting because it is sort of like Private Ryan in that the colors are very subdued, not the bright garish stuff common in most action films, at one point it even switches over to black and white in a very smooth fashion, at first I didn't even notice. Those of you old timers will recognize an homage to Bruce Lee in the final battle, I kept waiting for the hero to lick the blood off his fingers. And what is with the smoke? Most of this film has someone smoking, or something smoking, or just smoke hanging around, something unusual linking various scenes together I guess.Wow, yeah, nothing but good stuff to say about this film, you'll have to back up and watch bits over again to see for sure what just happened because it moves so fast. Love it, will watch again.

I just finished watching this and I loved it. I didn't think it would be this good by some of the reviews I read. It does have some corny moments, but not due to poor acting or fighting events, but to me it was just to build up the story(enter chinese take on humor). One reviewer(the one who said it was on par with IP man) made me take a chance on renting it, and I share his view. The main character would rival Bruce Lee in his fighting abilites. I thought the story was awesome and original. If you loved IP man, I think you will love this. Even IP man had corny moments, so that should not deter you from this movie and give you an idea of what to expect overall, but of course with a different story. One reviewer said that only the last 15-20 minutes were worth watching, and while those minutes were awesome, there are enough fighting scenes to leave you satisfied, while having the story buildup thereby setting the stage without fighting sequences. The plot at some points I thought I had figured out, but was wrong. I'd say rent it.

Definitely a 10 star on this movie. The script and fight scenes were EXCELLENT. Also the movie has an English language soundtrack so I didn't have to watch subtitles. This movie seemed like it was made for Bruce Lee if he was still alive. The movie definitely has a Bruce Lee element to it. Definitely the best movie I've seen since watching Ip man movies. I think anyone will enjoy this movie.

You must see this one. One of the best martial art movies I ever seen. The main character, Ma Yongzhen, is played by Philip Ng. He is one of the best martial art stars in Hong Kong. Ng received martial art training since seven years old when he migrated to the United States. He is a true martial art master. Andy On played Long Qi in the movie. There are many impressive fight scenes but the two I like the most are the ones between Ma Yongzhen & Long Qi and the final fight scene of Philip Ng. Philip Ng also stars in Birth of the Dragon as Bruce Lee.

This was like an up to date fist of fury, with philip ng trying his best to do bruce lee (passable) its a film set in shangai in 30,s during the time japan invaded china , l personally liked andy oh character found him likeable, not philip ngs (just not bruce), its a violent film the action is good , annoyingly they relly on wire work , if they,d done this without silly wires this would of been brilliant, sammo hung is good more cameo spots , can move for a mature big guy, loved the singing beautiful , really excellent film one star off for use of wires ,would recommend

A nice remake of a classic story! But the original will always be the best. More interesting is the original star being one of the bad guys. (Chen Kuan Tai) he was the one with the white dress shirt and vest who threw the axes before dying. He was the original Ma Yung Chen on the big screen. “The Boxer from Shantung “(1971-72).

The action in this Chinese film (with English subtitles) takes place at the time when in the early 20th century Shanghai was controlled by various crime lords seeking to control and extend their territories as exemplified by many films of this type for example Shanghai Triad. The hero initially tries to get on with life without using his tremendous martial art skills but is eventually forced to fight for honour and his love in some really brutal fights.

Wow! Great movie. I'm so many ways the main character reminded me of Bruce Lee. I thoroughly enjoyed it even though it had a sad ending and middle part too. Great action and fight scenes.

Great movie

An excellent fast paced martial arts movie, this blu ray is region free and works in the UK well worth the £10 i spent on it, this movie has very good fight sequences.

Old school kung fu story with great action, strongly recommend.

Awesome kung-fu film on blu ray

verry good