Once Upon a Time in Shanghai is a fictionalized take on the life of Ma Yongzhen (Philip Ng), who back in the 1930s got caught in between the gang wars that took place on the streets of the said port city. The film begins with him arriving in Shanghai and almost immediately getting into trouble. Though he promised his mother to avoid violence, he ends up having to use his formidable martial arts skills to protect the people around him. His activities bring him to the attention of rising gangster Long Qi (Andy On), who has taken over half of the city by just being really good at Kung Fu.
The two are adversaries at first, but in the grand tradition of Kung Fu cinema, they become friends because their mutual respect for each other's strength. Yongzhen takes a job as a waiter at one of Long Qi's clubs, and the two form a brotherly bond despite their philosophical differences. As forces conspire against Long Qi, Yongzhen is forced to take up the fight to defend his friend and the people who have grown to love him.
The film only looks serious, with its stark, largely black-and-white visuals. But its heart lies in the goofier elements drawn from the grand tradition of Shaw Brothers cinema. It's jarring at first, but the film eventually comes together as the fusion between contemporary techniques and classic sensibilities. It's an uneasy melding at times, and the film could have done much more to update some of the sentiments at play. But as a complete package, it's weirdly compelling.
Nothing about the film is remotely realistic. This is the kind of movie where someone might greet the hero by punching him in the face. A friendly hangout session might involve both heartfelt conversations and the occasional fight. The film embraces the silliness of the genre, crafting a version of Shanghai where everything can be achieved through martial arts. It's mostly entertaining, though the film does also embrace some of the more odious aspects of that type of filmmaking.
The story really takes a while to become anything, the threats to the hero kept pretty vague until the very end. And there's a problematic strain of xenophobia at the heart of this film. When taken in context of recent events in region, it becomes difficult to tolerate the weird, unbridled hate that's in the picture. One understands that this might have part of those old Kung Fu movies, but this feels like an aspect that could have been improved. Apart from that, the fights are pretty great. Philip Ng resembles Bruce Lee in more ways than one, and his physical performance is a big part of what makes the film enjoyable.
Once Upon a Time In Shanghai kind of feels like an antidote to what Kung Fu cinema has been like as of late. Visual effects have really taken over in this genre, and this film provides an alternative approach to bringing Kung Fu to the modern age. It certainly has its problems, but there are moments in here that bring one back to the joy of watching something like The Kung Fu Avengers or The Boxer from Shantung (which also tackles the same historical figure). The film brings up a few red flags, but enthusiasts of the genre should find the whole thing pretty enjoyable.
My Rating:
