well, we ought not to watch this movie for what it isn't. It is a "funny" kung fu hood&cape actioner set in XIX China. While the pistols of the Europeans look more like XVIII century, the presence of a rudimentary camera brings us to late XIX century. Plenty of impressive kung-fu and plenty of moves on wires, too. Scenery of old times China is good, with many extras. The plot is very thin: Chinese girl comes home from Europe, followed (apparently) by an European beau. In reality she's come to marry a relative of hers (they're cousins I think), great kung fu master. Europeans plan to murder the Chinese prime minister during a Dragon Dance ceremony, so bold kung-fu master must stop them. The rest is a confuse plot about rivalry between kung-fu schools over joining the ceremony, meant to impress whites with kung-fu abilities. This is a "funny" movie, inasmuch they try often to resolve tension with jokes or humour. Lots of fights. Acting is very clicheed. Decent movie, but I wouldn't watch it twice.
Review of Once Upon a Time in China IV
