Is Once Upon a Time in Shanghai Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1998)

📖 The Core Premise

Once Upon a Time in Shanghai returns to the screen in 1998, bringing a fresh narrative to the Drama, History genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "The protagonists are mainly Huirong, Zhaobai, and Jikan, who have studied business management in the USA and have returned to their hometown, Shanghai. Huirong and Zhaobai are engaged, and although three of them are close friends, problems arise when they find out that their opinions clash on the matter of what the objective for building a new China should be and what direction it should take."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In Once Upon a Time in Shanghai, Yuan Quan delivers a serviceable performance that keeps the narrative moving. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Once Upon a Time in Shanghai worth your time? If you appreciate Drama, History films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Once Upon a Time in Shanghai is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 100 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.