Once upon a Time in China 4 (1993)

After so long, I decided to rewatch this movie again as much as I bemoan the absence of Jet Li as the titular Wong Feihung in this movie and the one after. But to be fair, though, I don't really blame Jet Li regarding his old issue with Tsui Hark... especially considering that he often gets hurt a lot during the earlier filming of the first three movies. So his concerns about how much he should be paid for his appearance did have some grounds, since Jet do try to give his best performance in every work he does, but all the many retakes can be taxing.

This movie follows not too long after the previous one, with the last Lion King competition concluded. And we even got a brief montage of the lion battle from the last movie with clever edits that showed Jet Li's scenes without really showing his face.

So, despite having returned the golden medal after winning the competition, another officer had gone to visit Poh Chi Lam to give back the medal to Feihung... as well as honouring his victory in the competition with a Dragon dance, which was almost ruined by Leung Foon, who thought the incoming dragon was yet another challenger. The new governor, Guan Shing Tao, soon informed Feihung that there would be yet another Lion King competition... this time against foreign teams. Meanwhile, there's another anti-foreigner group called the Red Lantern that started to kill any foreigner they encountered,

At first glance, this movie was almost exactly a repeat of the third movie, with the opponents for the competition coming from the eight-nation alliance, instead of the Taiping gangsters, with the bonus side story about the Red Lantern group... which was like the female version of the Red Lotus group from the second movie. Well, technically, the overall plot was pretty okay... once I set aside my personal bias about Jet Li. That said though, I really don't get the reasoning for the side romance with the 14th Aunt to be included. And I really can't get around the whole bit about Vincent Zhou's Feihung being somewhat bedazzled towards not only the 14th Aunt but also Lady Miao from the Red Lantern. Cos it made it appear as if this Feihung was slightly more of a womaniser (and easily distracted by pretty women) compared to Jet Li's Feihung. Aside from this bit... I don't really have that much of an issue with Vincent Zhou. And ugh, seeing 14th Aunt throwing herself towards Feihung at every possible chance can get annoying. Like yes, Siu Kwan told her sister to watch over Feihung for her while she's away... but I don't think she meant it like ... very close. And then there's also Lady Miao being drawn to Feihung... and this Feihung not really doing anything to discourage the affection felt somewhat out of character. And I don't get why 14th Aunt needs to be an almost exact clone of Siu Kwan? Why? I'm also voicing the same exact concern as that one student asking if their master was trying to hog all the sisters. Like it's fine if these two girls were shown to have a one-sided affection for Feihung, but to turn it like he also felt the pull made him feel out of character. Especially since in the first 3 movies, it took Jet Li's Wong Feihung a very long time to even admit that he liked Siu Kwan.

There were also quite a number of new villains in this movie, this time with the Germans as well as a few anti-Qing people... which is fine, I guess. Though I wished there were some mention of what happened to those Russians last time that tried to kill Eunuch Li, as well as the Taiping group. That said, since most of the other casts were more or less the same... at least I had other reasons to continue watching this movie. I mean, having Hung Yanyan still around as Ah Chat made me feel like there's still a trace of Jet Li's presence remaining, so I'm a bit okay about that.

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Vincent Zhao replaces Jet Li in an entertaining if weak entry to the saga

The fourth film in the Wong Fei Hung saga loses Jet Li (after falling out with Tsui Hark) and inherits wushu champion Vincent Zhao Wen Zhuo (aka Chiu Man Cheuk). This time Tsui Hark steps down from the directors chair (though still serving as producer) and allows Yuen Bun full reign. Continuing from the previous installment, once again Fei Hung is asked to defend the pride of the Chinese by defeating the evil foreigners (mainly the Germans) in yet again another epic lion dance competition. Of course the foreigners being as evil as they are they have various tricks up there sleeves. At the same time Fei Hung has to defeat the ladies of the Red Lantern Clan, a sect out to eradicate the “evil” foreigners.

Once Upon a Time in China IV (OUTIC IV) suffers much from covering the same story elements as the previous chapters in the saga giving a feeling of déjà vu. As with the White Lotus Sect of episode two the Red Lantern Society consists of much of the same zealous individuals who are obsessed with ridding the foreigners from China territory. Fei Hung ventures into the den of the Red Lantern Society and confronts their leader, The Holy Mother as he did during his confrontation of the White Lotus Leader. An epic lion dance is also something that played out during the third installment.

Returning once again is Max Mok as Leung Fu who provides much mischief and comic relief. Also returning is Xiong Xin Xin as Club Foot and Lau Shun as Wong Kei Ying. Xiong Xin Xin is excellent in his role and is definitely a delight in this film. Lau Shun is in fine form as Wong Kei Ying but is given little to do. Joining the roster is Jean Wang as Aunt May filling in for the absent Aunt Yee played by Rosamund Kwan. Jean Wang is pleasing as Aunt May and hints at a new love interest for Fei Hung. Serving as the foreign villains henchmen is Billy Chow as Iron Fist and Chin Ka Lok as the sword wielding Lui.

As with the problems that faced the third installment, the fights never feel fully realized as they begin and are over pretty quickly. It’s a shame as Yuen Bun demonstrates creative wire choreography and has a bunch of talented screen performers. There are action highlights throughout the film but they are short lived. Fei Hung’s escape from prison is evidence of this as it clearly shows Yuen Bun’s excellent choreography and Vincent Zhao’s martial arts prowess. Zhao’s competent martial arts skills are very evident and his movements are crisp and clean that is only capable from a wushu practitioner. Fei Hung’s confrontation with the Holy Mother of the Red Lantern Society should have been an excellent display of fighting skills but is bogged down by wirework. As for the finale we are treated to an overdose of lion dance action that sadly never fully allows our protagonists to demonstrate there martial arts skills instead we are given weird contraptions from the gigantic “Lions” courtesy of the foreigners. Max Mok has little to do in the action department though he is convincing enough. Xiong Xin Xin is a treat as per usual but only has little skirmishes that shows his skills but never fully comes into fruition. Lau Shun also gets to show off show great hand to hand combat that is short lived. The likes of Billy Chow and Chin Ka Lok as villains should have been worthy opponents for the likes of Vincent Zhao and Xiong Xin Xin but unfortunately there final throw down ends with a whimper.

Vincent Zhao fits comfortably as the new Fei Hung demonstrating an air of authority and sensibility as well as carrying great mannerisms and the posture of Wong Fei Hung. Zhao possess charm and innocence and it is evident with his brief moments with Aunt May.

Yuen Bun has learnt well from Tsui Hark and shows great pacing as well as much kinetic movement of camera. There is a great sense of detail accompanied by excellent framing and editing that is expected from the series. Production values are of a high standard as is the musical score. The OUTIC saga has always been about patriotism and pride for the country and OUTIC IV serves its purpose just fine.

Though it never achieves the memorable set pieces of part one or two nor does it delve into the political elements of the previous outings as much, Once Upon a Time in China IV still provides enough entertainment to recommend a viewing. The action is brisk, creative and full of kinetic energy and Vincent Zhao makes a fine substitute for Jet Li. Sadly a good print of both OUTIC IV and V is difficult to track down.

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