Once Upon a Time in China II
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| Once Upon a Time in China II | |
|---|---|
 Once Upon a Time in China II |
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| Directed by | Tsui Hark |
| Produced by | Tsui Hark Ng See Yuen Raymond Chow |
| Written by | Tsui Hark Chan Tin-suen Tan Cheung |
| Starring | Jet Li Rosamund Kwan Donnie Yen Siu Chung Mok Xiong Xin Xin |
| Music by | Richard Yuen Johnny Njo George Lam |
| Cinematography | Arthur Wong |
| Editing by | Marco Mak |
| Release date(s) | 1992 |
| Running time | 106 mins |
| Country |  Hong Kong |
| Language | Cantonese |
| Preceded by | Once Upon a Time in China I |
| Followed by | Once Upon a Time in China III |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Once Upon a Time in China II is a 1992 Hong Kong action film written and directed by Tsui Hark and starring Jet Li as legendary Chinese folk hero, Wong Fei Hung. It is the second film in the Once Upon a Time in China series.
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[edit] Plot
Set in 1895, Wong Fei Hung, his companion Leung Foon (this time played by Siu Chung Mok aka Max Mok) and developing romantic interest Aunt Yee travel by train to Canton to attend a lecture on techniques of Western and Eastern medicine. Wong lectures on the benefits of acupuncture whilst another doctor translates for the British audience.
The seminar is besieged by the fanatical White Lotus Cult, led by the seemingly invincible Priest Kung (Xiong Xin Xin). The extreme nationalist cult aim to force all foreigners out of Canton and they fire flaming arrows into the building where the seminar is taking place. This cult is most likely based on a rebellious anti-foreigner group called the Fists of Righteous Harmony (also known as the Boxers that led the Boxer Rebellion) which actually existed in the year 1900.
Wong learns that his translator friend is none other than Sun Yat Sen (Cheung Tit Lam), the leader of a group of pro-democratic rebels who wish to help China become a Republic. Sun and Lu Haodong, another rebel, are planning to go to Hong Kong to continue their work of revolution. Wong assists the rebels, but an official of the Manchu imperial government, General Lan (Donnie Yen) stands in their way.
Further confrontations ensue when the White Lotus attack a foreign-language school for children. Aunt Yee hides the children in the British Consulate. Later, the consulate was attacked, with the help of General Lan, by the White Lotus cult. Wong and company defeated the White Lotus cult and General Lan went into the consulate to search for Sun Yatsen and Lu Haodong. Sun had escaped the consulate unharmed earlier. The British consul was killed by General Lan. Leung, disguised as Lu, escaped and diverted Lan's attention. Wong and Lu went to the headquarters of the White Lotus Cult and after an intense battle, Wong defeated all of the clan.
Later, Wong, Lu, and Leung go to get the contact list of all the rebels. In the process, Lu is shot and killed by General Lan's men. Wong and Lan have what many have called "The greatest fight of Jet Li on screen". Wong kills Lan and meets up with Sun Yatsen at the dock.
[edit] Box Office
This was a rare sequel to a Hong Kong movie to exceed the original film's box office take. It grossed $30,399,676 HKD.[1]
[edit] Awards and nominations
- 1992 Golden Horse Film Festival
- Won: Best Original Song (James Wong)
- 1993 Hong Kong Film Awards
- Won: Best Action Choreography
- Nominated: Best Picture
- Nominated: Best Supporting Actor (Donnie Yen)
- Nominated: Best Director (Tsui Hark)
- Nominated: Best New Performer (Xiong Xin Xin)
- Nominated: Best Art Direction (Eddie Ma)
- Nominated: Best Cinematography (Arthur Wong)
- Nominated: Best Film Editing (Marco Mak)
- Nominated: Best Original Film Score (Richard Yuen, Johnny Njo)
[edit] See also
- Once Upon a Time in China (series)
- Once Upon a Time in China I
- Once Upon a Time in China III
- Once Upon a Time in China IV
- Once Upon a Time in China V
- Once Upon a Time in China VI
- Last Hero in China
