The plot in OUATIC3 is a bit more linear than the previous movies and, as such, it may be a better movie for newbies in the genre, though some knowledge of Chinese history would still be helpful in following the political twists and turns. Visually, the film looks phenomenal and there's tons of high-flying wire-fu action. My only real complaint with the film is there's a lack of one-on-one fighting. The huge lion dances/gang fights are great, but there's nothing in the movie to match the intensity of the Jet Li/Donnie Yen battle in OUATIC2. The ending is also unbelievably cheesy, with Li delivering a speech that needlessly hammers in some symbolism. Overall, though, OUATIC3 is a fine movie and a good addition to the series.

Like the first two episodes the story is very influenced by the notion of old ways under attack from the new. The industrial revolution has arrived and foreigners are bringing in all kinds of new inventions. To raise the people's moral, and to impress on foreigners the power of Chinese kung fu, the empress organises a lion dance competition. However this leads to discontent between the various martial arts factions as they try to drive each other out of the competition. Wong Fei Hung (Jet Li) comes under pressure to enter the competition on behalf of one of the triad gangs and when he refuses he finds both his and fiancee's, Aunt Yee (Rosamund Kwan), life in danger. When he later discovers a plot by Russian secret agents to use the competition as an opportunity to kill the governor, Wong Fei Hung decides he must enter.

Jet Li is as stunning as always in the role that he made his own in the early nineties and although he appears as competent as ever he isn't really given an opponent of equal skill to fight against. Rather he outclasses all that stand against him without any real trouble. Only an early fight with the superb Hung Yan Yan as the character 'Clubfoot' sees Wong Fei Hung seriously challenged. The film builds up to the huge lion dance competition which, while impressive to watch, doesn't give Jet any real opportunity to display his skills at any length.

Production values are, expectedly high, with numerous extras and expensive sets and costumes. The standard of acting, as with the previous two films, is also high and more opportunity is given for humour to which Jet Li is always the straight man. There's also another great performance from Rosamund Kwan who looks as gorgeous as ever.

OUATIC 3 is not altogether a bad film. There are some highly enjoyable fight sequences in there and it is definitely an accomplished piece of film making but it just doesn't compare to the previous two classics.

There is also, some great prop work including Jet Li facing a mob of swordsmen with a piece of cloth and situational challenges like Li fighting on an oil-slicked floor. The film's comedy ranges from the physical antics of Foon hiding long sticks in his pant legs to the verbal misunderstandings of Wong and Yee's familial relationships. The element of invading technology is also back with Yee's new movie camera and the threatening steam engine. The film hits important emotional and cultural beats while providing a forum for awesome choreography...