Today’s quick review: Man of Tai Chi. Tiger Chen (Chen Hu), the last student of an ancient style of tai chi, aims to popularize his master’s teachings by using them to fight, rather than as just a physical or spiritual exercise. His skill in the ring draws the attention of Mark Donaka (Keanu Reeves), who recruits him to fight in an underground ring where there are no rules. But as Chen grows into a cutthroat warrior, he loses sight of who he is.
Man of Tai Chi is a martial arts action movie about a young martial artist who must choose between the humble, patient teachings of his master and the thrill of battle. Man of Tai Chi sports skillful martial arts action wrapped around a tidy plot that taps into the ethos of competition. Fast-paced stunts, a good sense of tension, and a satisfying plot make the movie a worthy entry into the genre.
Man of Tai Chi promises action, and it delivers. The fights are evenly matched and nicely varied. Chen has a slight edge due to his skill, but Donaka pits him against a series of opponents with different fighting styles who test his mettle and his ability to react under pressure. The stunts are fast and precise, and the inability of Chen to gain a decisive advantage in his fights ensures that the action feels tense and consequential.
As far as story goes, Man of Tai Chi is a basic but competently executed tale of corruption. Chen fights for Donaka both for the money he needs to save his master’s temple and to prove himself in the ring. But his growing bloodlust takes him closer and closer to Donaka’s ultimate goal for him: to have him kill in the ring. The story never rises to the level of deep or timeless drama, but it’s enough to drive the action and make it meaningful.
Still, there are areas where Man of Tai Chi could have gone farther. Tiger Chen is a neutral protagonist, a calm, stoic young man who never quite earns the audience’s sympathy. Mark Donaka makes for a suitably menacing villain, but he’s missing the grandiosity needed to tie his character together. Likewise, the plot is well-structured overall but passes up the opportunity for a more climactic final showdown.
Watch Man of Tai Chi when you’re in the mood for an action movie with a serious tone and genuine martial arts skill. The movie doesn’t offer much beyond its stunts and a fairly standard story, but its competent execution of both make it a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre. For a movie with a similar premise and less satisfying execution, try Kickboxer: Vengeance or Lady Bloodfight. For a historical martial arts drama, try Ip Man or Fearless.
6.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for strong action and a decent story.