Alright fellow tapeheads, let’s rewind to 1993. The Once Upon a Time in China series was already legendary. Jet Li was Wong Fei-hung, the righteous physician and martial arts master, and director Tsui Hark had basically rewritten the rulebook for historical kung fu epics with the first two installments. So, what happens when you reach the third chapter of a near-perfect saga? If you're Tsui Hark, you apparently decide to crank everything up to eleven, throw in a hundred battling lions, and see what sticks. Grab your remote, maybe adjust the tracking slightly, because we're diving into Once Upon a Time in China III.
### Lions, Tigers, and Russians, Oh My!
This time, Wong Fei-hung (Jet Li, radiating that calm authority even amidst chaos), Aunt Yee (Rosamund Kwan, still navigating that charmingly complex relationship), and the ever-energetic Leung Foon (Max Mok) find themselves in Beijing. Master Wong is visiting his father, but trouble, as always, finds him. There's a simmering plot to assassinate a powerful official, Li Hongzhang, involving rival martial arts schools and a slightly sinister Russian diplomat with his own lethal enforcer. And swirling around all this intrigue is the Empress Dowager's upcoming Lion Dance competition – a massive, city-wide spectacle designed to showcase Chinese martial prowess (and perhaps distract from simmering national tensions).
If the first two films felt like tightly woven historical dramas punctuated by groundbreaking action, OUATIC III feels more like a three-ring circus bursting with energy. The plot threads are numerous, perhaps even a little tangled, involving secret societies, misunderstandings, and shifting allegiances. It doesn't quite have the narrative focus of its predecessors, feeling broader and sometimes lighter in tone, despite the political undercurrents. But let's be honest, while the story is functional, many of us likely slid this tape into the VCR for one main reason: the action.
### The Tsui Hark Visual Extravaganza
Tsui Hark, who also co-wrote the script, brings his signature hyper-kinetic style back in full force. Remember his work on films like Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain (1983) or Peking Opera Blues (1986)? He thrives on visual invention, rapid-fire editing, and pushing the boundaries of wirework – or "wire-fu" as it became known. OUATIC III is pure Hark in that sense. The camera rarely sits still, swooping and diving through elaborate sets, capturing the fluid grace of Jet Li one moment and the brutal impact of a well-placed kick the next. The production design is lush, recreating a vibrant (if slightly fantastical) late Qing Dynasty Beijing.
One of the film's most memorable antagonists (and breakout performers) is Club Foot, played by the incredibly athletic Xiong Xin-xin. Here’s a great piece of retro trivia: Xiong Xin-xin was actually Jet Li's stunt double for Wong Fei-hung in the previous films! His promotion to a main villain role here was well-deserved, showcasing his unique kicking style and acrobatic prowess. His fights with Li are highlights, displaying a raw power that contrasts nicely with Wong Fei-hung's more refined technique.
### Controlled Chaos: The Lion Dance Showdown
Let's talk about that finale. The Lion Dance competition isn't just a scene; it's practically the entire third act. Forget neat, one-on-one duels. This is an explosion of colour, movement, and sheer audacity. Hundreds of performers in elaborate lion costumes battle across multi-tiered platforms, rooftops, and through narrow alleyways. It’s a dizzying spectacle of practical stunt work that feels almost overwhelming, even today. Remember watching this on a slightly fuzzy CRT? The sheer density of action probably turned parts of the screen into a glorious, vibrant blur – adding to the chaotic charm!
This sequence is a testament to the golden age of Hong Kong practical effects and stunt coordination (likely involving talents from the legendary Yuen Clan, specifically Yuen Cheung-yan and Yuen Shun-yi credited here). You see real people performing incredible feats, leaping, tumbling, and balancing precariously. Sure, the wires are sometimes visible if you squint (part of the VHS charm, right?), but the raw physicality is undeniable. Compared to today's often weightless CGI-heavy action, there's a tangible sense of effort and danger here. Was it maybe too much, threatening to overshadow the characters? Perhaps. But was it unforgettable? Absolutely. It felt like Tsui Hark was deliberately trying to outdo himself, pushing the limits of what could be staged and filmed.
### Legacy and Reception
Released hot on the heels of Part II (1992), OUATIC III was another box office success in Hong Kong, continuing the franchise's popularity. Critically, it was perhaps seen as a slight step down from the near-perfection of the first two, with some finding the plot less cohesive and the tone occasionally leaning more towards outright spectacle than focused drama. However, it solidified Club Foot as a fan-favorite character and delivered action sequences that were arguably even more elaborate, if less grounded, than its predecessors. It was still miles ahead of most martial arts films of the era. It’s worth noting that after this film, Jet Li briefly stepped away from the role, with Vincent Zhao taking over for parts IV and V before Li returned for Once Upon a Time in China and America (1997).
### The Final Verdict
Once Upon a Time in China III might not possess the lean narrative perfection of Part I or the potent blend of romance and revolutionary fervor of Part II, but it compensates with sheer, unadulterated spectacle. Jet Li remains magnificent as Wong Fei-hung, Tsui Hark directs with his trademark visual flair, and the action sequences – particularly the jaw-dropping Lion Dance finale – are monuments to the ambition and skill of 90s Hong Kong filmmaking. It’s a bit messy, maybe a little overstuffed, but bursting with energy and invention.
Rating: 7.5/10 - The rating reflects its position as a slightly less narratively tight entry compared to its predecessors, but still a visually stunning and wildly entertaining piece of action cinema powered by incredible practical stunt work and Jet Li's star power. The Lion Dance sequence alone is worth the price of admission (or the rental fee back in the day).
Final Comment: While maybe the point where the series leaned fully into glorious excess, OUATIC III is pure, uncut 90s Hong Kong wire-fu madness – a chaotic, colourful, and utterly unforgettable blast best enjoyed loud.