In a Nutshell. Mini reviews of movies old and new. No fuss. No spoilers. And often no sleep.

Saturday 2 February 2013

Once Upon a Time in China 4 (1993)

Jet Li left the OUaTiC series to go make Fong Sai Yuk. Rosamund Kwan also left. Vincent Zhao took over as Wong Fei-Hung. Yuen Bun, who served as martial arts choreographer on the third film, took the director chair so that Tsui could write and produce only.
Can a film series survive that kind of disruption? Surprisingly, yes! If it wasn't Wong Fei-Hung I'd have my doubts, but the character endures even if the star changes. A familiar supporting cast, familiar locations and the now synonymous music all help it feel genuine. What lets it down is having a story that needed more emotion.

3 coloured lanterns out of 5

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