MOVIE REVIEW : ONCE upon a TIME in SHANGHAI (2014). (惡戰)
“ONCE UPON A TIME IN SHANGHAI (2014)”
惡戰
PRESS REVIEW
Here’s the rags-to-riches story:
MA YONG ZHEN leads a life of abject poverty of in Shantung.
He decides to seek his fortune in Shanghai.
His humble ambitions are squashed when he is unwillingly drawn into a world of devious corruption and gang warfare.
His only reliance on survival is his famed fighting technique.
He’s a tough boxer by training, deft at meting out deadly punches with his fist.
And breaking legs too, should you decide to roll everything into one.
His beloved mother bestows him a bracelet to remind him to stay cool whenever he’s provoked.
The bracelet serves as a refresher of sorts.
It’s safe to say that “ONCE UPON A TIME IN SHANGHAI (2014)” the movie is packaged as an awesome explosive punch fest combining mixed martial arts.
It’s a poetic spectacular with ferocious martial arts moves, dealing primarily with delivering lethal blows using the fist.
The film director’s visual flair forces the viewer to witness each blow in a visceral sequence that demands attention.
Helmed by WONG CHING-PO this movie is a modernization of the Shaw Brothers oldie called “The Boxer from Shantung” in 1972. which starred CHEN KUAN-TAI as the legendary fighter.
Now that age has caught on,CHEN returns happily to take on a cameo in this film as a baddie.
Enter PHILIP NG the emerging Action Star.
Fresh faced (thank goodness) albeit charismatic fight expert PHILIP NG takes on the lead as MA YONG ZHEN.
He’s a refreshing delight to watch demonstrating his slick choreographed stunts.
Some of us may be getting a wee tired of overexposed fight stars.
The film also features ANDY ON who’s really up and coming in most action flicks.
He’s gonna be the next big thing in the Hong Kong fight cinema.
Both PHILIP and ANDY share an affable chemistry onscreen.
And with the legendary YUEN WO-PING taking the helm as action choreographer, the combination can’t possibly go wrong.
“ONCE UPON A TIME IN SHANGHAI” is a riot.
It’s fearsome, foxy and full-on and packs one hell of a punch.
WONG CHING-PO has directed a brutal and action-packed martial arts movie that will stay in our hearts and minds for a long time.
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