Follow TV Tropes

Following

Heartwarming / Once Upon a Time in China

Go To

Per wiki policy, Spoilers Off applies here and all spoilers are unmarked. You Have Been Warned.

  • The tender and romantic "Aunt 13" motif, which flows from a Waltz played with Chinese instruments to a Chinese Ballad played with Western instruments and back, whimsically yet sincerely encapsulates the film's message that it's your heart that makes you Chinese, not your appearance, clothing, nor speech.
    • Wonderfully echoed in the finale of the first film where Wong Fei-hung's Big Damn Heroes moment, though punctuated by his signature Theme Music Power-Up of "Under The General's Orders", has him wielding a western musket. Though he wielded a western firearm, his heroic heart is still that of a Chinese warrior's.
  • The ending of the first film, where Doctor Wong embraces the changes of a new age and takes his first photograph with his "family" of students and loved ones in a Western suit, to the backdrop of the aforementioned "Aunt 13" theme. No matter how much may outwardly change, as long as one's heart stays true, China will never die.
  • The montage of similarities in the second film where Chinese and Western Medicine join forces to heal the innocents injured by the White Lotus cult's vicious attacks, to the backdrop of Wong Fei-hung's classic "Under The General's Orders" musical motif; showing how in the end, all medicine is about healing the sick, wherever it may come from. The English Doctor/Ambassador, who before sneered at Doctor Wong's attempt to heal the British with acupuncture, offered his warm gratitude and respect thereafter.
    • Wong delivering the flag of the Republic of China to Dr Sun Yat-sen at the end of the second movie, making sure Luke's Heroic Sacrifice was not in vain.
  • The sweet and quiet moments between Wong and Aunt 13 throughout the series where you could see them falling in love with each other.

Top