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Once Upon a Time in Shanghai

Once Upon a Time in Shanghai

Action · Crime · 2014

A laborer moves to Shanghai in the hope of becoming rich. But ends up using his kung fu skills to survive. Remake of The Boxer From Shantung.

Movie details

Once Upon a Time in Shanghai

“The Legend that was never told.”

2014 Action · Crime 1h 35m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.1 / 10

Community rating

A laborer moves to Shanghai in the hope of becoming rich. But ends up using his kung fu skills to survive. Remake of The Boxer From Shantung.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Once Upon a Time in Shanghai?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Shaolin Wooden Men

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Wong Ching-Po

Written by

Wong Jing

Philip Ng Wan-Lung

Philip Ng Wan-Lung

Ma Yongzhen

Andy On Chi-Kit

Andy On Chi-Kit

Long Qi

Sammo Hung

Sammo Hung

Master Tie

Michelle Hu

Michelle Hu

Tie Ju

Jiang Luxia

Jiang Luxia

Tie Mei

Mao Junjie

Mao Junjie

Sheng Xiangjun

W

Wang Xinghan

Niu Sanguang

Court is in session

Put Once Upon a Time in Shanghai on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.