.jpg)
Released: July 5, 2013 (China)
Directed by: Keanu Reeves
Written by: Michael G. Cooney
Starring: Tiger Chen, Karen Mok & Keanu Reeves
Plot: The rebellious last student of an ancient tai chi style uses his abilities in increasingly difficult underground fighting matches run by a mysterious businessman.
IMDb: 6.1/10Rotten Tomatoes: 70/100
My Score: 3/5
Man of Tai Chi is the multi-lingual directorial debut of Keanu Reeves. Stuntman Tiger Chen plays tai chi student Tiger Chen, the last pupil of the ancient Ling Kong tai chi style. Against his master's wishes, Chen uses his abilities to enter into a fighting tournament, which brings him to the attention of wealthy businessman Donaka Mark (Reeves). Reeves offers Chen a job as a fighter with a huge pay raise over his menial delivery boy position. As his matches get more dangerous and difficult, Chen realizes that not everything is as it appears to be. Meanwhile, a Hong Kong police officer (Karen Mok) is investigating the elusive Reeves and his underground fighting ring. Partially based on Chen's own life story, Man of Tai Chi boasts some pretty spectacular fight sequences, which isn't a surprise given that the fight choreography was directed by the renowned Yuen Woo-Ping. Chen worked for many years with Master Yuen and in fact met Reeves on the set of The Matrix, on which Master Yuen was also the fight choreographer. Some unique editing make the movie seem fresh and there are a few beautiful CG-assisted shots that are really nice. Chen is decent in the title role but Reeves as the villain really left something to be desired. I really had a hard time buying him to be as sinister the role requires. In the end, the positives outweigh the negatives and even with the lackluster performance from Reeves, Man of Tai Chi certainly isn't the worst freshman film you'll ever see. Simon Yam costars as Mok's cop boss and Iko Uwais, star of Merantau and The Raid: Redemption (and it's sequel) makes an appearance as one of Chen's final opponents.
No comments:
Post a Comment