Perhaps the two most amazing Chinese martial arts films I have ever seen are CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON (so smooth and beautifully shot) and IRON MONKEY (if you haven’t seen it, rush out and get the thing!). However, not far behind is the wholly enjoyable ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA series. Here we see Jet Li play the legendary martial arts teacher and healer, Wong Fei Hung. A certain sweetness makes all the movies in this series unique, as Jet Li’s character cares for his students, heals anyone in need, kicks the butt of legions of evil-doers, and secretly (well, perhaps not so secretly) adores “Aunt Yee” from arm’s length. Click to see Teri Tom's review of ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA II (Chinese, 1992)
Directed by Tsui Hark
Starring: Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, Donnie Yen
Watson Scale: 5

Reprising his role of Wong Fei Hung, the marital artist and healer travels to Canton for a medical conference (where he demonstrates the power of acupuncture to the Westerners there) and runs right into the upheaval caused by the Ching Dynasty’s dying pains. As always, Aunt Yee is there to give moral support and to be saved over and over by her hero.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA III (Chinese, 1993)
Directed by Tsui Hark
Starring: Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, Max Mok
Watson Scale: 5

This time Jet Li/Hung and company travels to Peking where a plot to overthrow the Chinese government is brewing. The amazing lion-dance at the end, mixed with the centipede versus lion battle, is worth the price of admission alone.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA AND AMERICA (Chinese, 1992)
Directed by Sammo Hung
Starring: Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, Xiong Xin Xin
Watson Scale: 4

Wong Fei Hung and his comrades travel to the United States where they turn the old West and warring Indian tribes upside down. This is a much better film than Jackie Chan’s SHANGHAI NOON (2000).