Once Upon a Time in China II

Like Jackie Chan, Jet Li enjoyed a devoted cult following amongst Hong Kong film aficionados before achieving Hollywood success. His breakthrough role as the villain in Lethal Weapon 4 opened the door for the release of his most celebrated films, including this 1992 epic sequel in which he reprises one of his signature roles as folk hero Wong Fei-Hung. Arriving in turn-of-the-century Canton to lecture about acupuncture, Fei-Hung runs afoul of the White Lotus Clan, who are committed to "drive the foreign devils out" of China (its members claim supernatural powers and endure a rigorous initiation that includes walking on coals, swallowing fire, and withstanding bullets, swords, and groin pummelings!) The story includes further political intrigue, comic relief from Fei-Hung's protégé, and a love story of sorts between Wong and Cousin Yee (Rosamund Kwan), who, like the warrior couple in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, exchange soulful glances. The action sequences, which veer from slapstick comedy to blood-flowing, body piercing brutality, are few and far between, but they are astounding. Unfortunately, the cropped full-frame presentation dulls their impact and the English dubbing is rather distracting (problems that are both absent on the widescreen, subtitled DVD). Martial arts fans will appreciate, but more mainstream audiences will no doubt opt for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon instead. An optional purchase. (K. Lee Benson)