Once Upon a Time in Shanghai

2014 [CHINESE]

Action / Crime

5
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Certified Fresh 73%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 73% · 100 ratings
IMDb Rating 6.7/10 10 2181 2.2K

martial arts kung fu shanghai, china

Director

Ching-Po Wong Photo
Ching-Po Wong

Top cast

Andy On Photo
Andy On as Long Qi
Michelle Hu Photo
Michelle Hu as Tie Ju
Sammo Kam-Bo Hung Photo
Sammo Kam-Bo Hung as Master Tie
Cheung-Yan Yuen Photo
Cheung-Yan Yuen as Laughing Buddha
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU
873.43 MB
1280*544
Chinese 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
1 hr 35 min
Seeds 4
1.75 GB
1920*816
Chinese 5.1
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
1 hr 35 min
Seeds 6

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by YJLcool 7 / 10

A worthwhile martial arts drama film

Once Upon a Time in Shanghai (恶战) is another action-packed drama film from the legendary martial arts choreographer, Yuen Wo Ping and HK action legend, Sammo Hung. The film sets in Shanghai in the 1930s, where the city once attracted many youngsters from different provinces in China to find fortune and fame. The film has a simplistic and straightforward plot, a story about a youngster, Ma Yong Zhen, well- equipped with martial arts and possesses incredible strength on his right fist, together with an unshakable sense of morality, comes to Shanghai looking for an opportunity.While it's nothing new here, the story is predictable as these sort of movies been done countless times before in the past, but this is a well- made stylish action film that reminds me of the HK martial arts films of the 80s and 90s about the criminal underworld and Japanese infiltration. The film features a lot of impressive martial art fight scenes...the intensity and swiftness of the fights between the actors were just astonishing to watch. You still cheer the lead character, saying 'Serves them right!' when he puts down the bad guys in the climatic battle near the end. Although the brotherhood and romantic love themes in the films are not properly fleshed out or developed, it still engaging enough to hold the action scenes together for the audience to continue watching it until the very end. It seems that Andy On and Phillip Ng are further establishing themselves as rising action stars other than the currently famous Donnie Yen. Not a bad movie by any means, this is still a decent Chinese film to watch for martial arts action junkies. Rating: 7/10http://yjcool.blogspot.com/2014/01/movie-review-once-upon-time-in- shanghai.html
Reviewed by mulloway69-913-785420 8 / 10

Philip Ng Really Delivers The Punch In This One

This modern take on The Boxer from Shantung from 1972 from Ching-Po Wong was a chance find for myself but I'm glad I did.Set in 30's crime ridden Shanghai the film is shot in black and white with splashes of colour.Excellent cinematography, flawless sets, not too over the top cgi and a classic albeit very predictable storyline. Once Upon a Time in Shanghai delivers where it needs to most - lots of quality choreographed action.A must for any kung-fu movie nut and the casual fan alike, if you're not already a fan of Philip Ng prepare to become one.
Reviewed by Falconeer 8 / 10

Solid remake of a kung fu masterpiece..

Seeing as how "Once Upon A Time In Shanghai" is a remake of my all-time favorite martial arts movie, "Boxer From Shantung," of course I held this one up against high standards. Well for the most part it succeeds, with it's many elegant, artistic touches. Here we have a visually impressive period piece, about a poor laborer who comes to the big city to find his fortune. What he finds is friendship, corruption, and ultimately betrayal. Here martial artist Philip Ng replaces the legendary Chen Kuan Tai in the role of Ma Yongzhen, the immensely likable peasant who yearns for power, but despises corruption. Ng is a great choice to play Ma, as he is a charismatic and handsome actor. It's not easy to compare to Chen Kuan Tai, but Philip Ng comes close. The fight scenes are fast and furious, and very well-staged, and for once we have a good story to compliment the action. The sets and the period costumes are beautiful and detailed as well, although I wasn't so crazy about the digital video look of this film. The colors are very washed out, and the film almost looks like it was shot in black and white. Still I highly recommend this remake, as there are so few good martial arts films being produced today. Fans of the classic 70's stuff should really appreciate this. I also strongly recommend searching out the original "Boxer From Shantung" from 1972. It is a true masterpiece of the genre, and surpasses this film in quality and artistry..
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