Vincent Zhao Wen Zhuo returns for a second outing as the legendary Wong Fei Hung, in sadly the last part of Tsui Harks epic saga (not counting the unofficial films and TV series). After the rather disappointing fourth film directed by Yuen Bun that featured way too many lion dance action as well re-treading similar territory as its predecessors, Once Upon a Time in China V makes a more welcome return with Tsui Hark once again in the directors chair.

Once Upon a Time in China V (OUTIC V) is much more brisk than its previous outings, this time round there is less political and historical exposition. Though these elements are in place they are not as grand as the usual Fei Hung films instead we are regulated to a small southern town where the governing body has fled after the abandonment of the Empress Dowager, leaving the town in state of poverty and unrest. Following after the events of the fourth instalment Fei Hung accompanied by Leung Fu (Max Mok), Club Foot (Xiong Xin Xin), Wong Kei Ying (Lau Shun) and Aunt May (Jean Wang) make there way to a small town to meet Aunt Yee (Rosamund Kwan), Butcher Wing (Kent Cheng) and Buck Tooth (Roger Kwok – replacing Jackie Cheung from the first instalment) before venturing to Hong Kong. Fei Hung’s sense of justice prevents him from leaving this town and with his team he sets about restoring justice. Along the way he discovers a governless court kept going by a band of righteous court magistrates (lead by Cheung Tit Lam in a different role from OUTIC II) who aid Fei Hung, pirate ridden seas keeping the town under siege lead by the notorious pirate leader Junior Cheung (played by HK action director Stephen Tung Wei) and his right wing commander Ying (Elaine Liu) and a rice seller (Tam Bing Man) who takes advantage of his towns people.

To restore order Fei Hung leads Leung Fu, Butcher Wing, Club Foot and Buck Tooth into the pirate’s den, taking on the father of the pirate leader, Cheung Bo Jai. Fei Hung’s success leads the remaining pirates to attack the town resulting in a final showdown between the two factions. Amidst all this are much comedic antics from his students revolving around Fei Hung’s love triangle between Aunt Yee and Aunt May.

Though complaints have been made about the comedic elements, I for one believe that the dosage was just about right it never devolved into mindless antics and when it was becoming too much Tsui Hark moved on to his next set piece. Both actresses; Rosamund Kwan and Jean Wang do admirable jobs in there rolls, with Wang providing a much more likeability. Lau Shun is in fine form returning as Wong Kei Ying but is given little to do. Max Mok has certainly made Leung Fu his own after taking over from Yuen Biao, his character provides much of the comedy with his relentless bickering between his brother in arms Butcher Wing and Club Foot. Kent Cheng is mainly reprising his role introduced in the first outing. As with before he makes a convincing portrayal of Butcher Wing. Once again Xiong Xin Xin steals the show as Club Foot his mentally challenged character is a highlight of the series and Xiong adds much flair to Club Foot. Roger Kwok makes an interesting turn as Buck Tooth but seems at odds with the originally introduced character of the first in the series depicted by Jacky Cheung, here his character is more action savvy and holds his own with the rest of the team where originally his character was just a medical student. Elaine Liu makes a surprising turn as the right hand commander of the pirates. Sadly it is Tung Wei that is a bit weak as the pirate leader, though his performance is serviceable he spends most of his time snarling and leer with his wide eyes.

Much unfair negative comment has been lamented on Vincent Zhou’s turn as the legendary Wong Fei Hung, Zhou’s carries much poise and confidence as Fei Hung as did Jet Li’s portrayal. Though his romantic chemistry with Rosamund Kwan’s Aunt Yee is given less screen time he still provides the same bumbling dumbfounded innocence of love when around Yee’s antics. Zhou carries an air authority of a great master.

As for the action OUTIC V does not quite reach the dizzying heights of episode 2 or the iconic ladder fight of the first instalment, if anything it is more akin to part 3 in the saga. Though there are many fights scattered throughout, many of them are short and as it gets going it ends pretty quick. Much of the action is wire assisted which may irk a lot of people but it has to be said that Yuen Bun has made creative use of the wire work. Vincent Zhou is a competent martial artist and when he lets loose he is a sight to behold, his fight in the pirates den with the century old pirate is creative display of choreography once the audience accepts the wire assisted moves. Buck Tooth also joins in with the action with duel wielding guns. The likes of Elaine Liu, Max Mok and Kent Cheng makes for convincing fighters. It is once again Xiong Xin Xin that steals the show with his lightning fast kicks and acrobatic movements. The raid in the courtroom is one of Xiong’s highlights as he kicks multiple opponents while balancing on a chair, though he is strapped to wires it does not diminish from the skills on display. Unfortunately the final throw down between 2 great martial artists; Vincent Zhou and Stephen Tung Wei is a bit of a letdown as the 2 combatants spend most of the time performing exaggerated movements with little actual martial arts fighting and when it happens it is over very soon.

As with all the OUTIC entries the production value is phenomenal with some creative set designs and costumes. The musical score is also of a high standard as is expected from a Tsui Hark production.

The fifth entry is actually a refreshing take on the Fei Hung saga. The previous entries can sometimes feel bogged down by the political turmoil’s and Tsui Harks heavy-handed expositions. Once Upon a Time in China V does not suffer from this allowing it to breath and breeze along. The film is fun and entertaining helped by some healthy dosage of action once one gets past the fact that its use of wires.