MAN OF TAI CHI (2013) Directed by Keanu Reeves Cast: Keanu Reeves, Tiger Chen, Tiger Hu Chen, Karen Mok, Iko Uwais, Simon Yam, Iko Uwais, Yu Hai-Yang Subtitles The Bill & Teds-style flop-mop that martial artist Tiger Chen sports in Man of Tai Chi isnt the only reminder of Keanu Reeves in this directorial debut from the Matrix star. Theres Reeves himself, using his lower surfer-register for the forces of evil as a Hong Kong businessman who corrupts Chens idealistic, working class tai chi disciple by turning him into an underground fight club star. But whats most cosmically appropriate about this no-nonsense yet all-nonsense action flick is how Reeves greatest strength as a star — his fluid, imposing physicality — is also his best asset as a director. The brutally efficient shooting style Reeves employs to film master choreographer Yuen Woo Pings breathtaking fights — mostly one-on-one showdowns in tight quarters featuring Chen against a series of deadly intent opponents — is refreshingly grounded and old-school kinetic, reminiscent of Jackie Chans athletic roundelays over the increasingly fantastical Hong Kong action movies of late. Theres even a welcome exuberance to the philosophical debate at hand: Should tai chi be an inner strength or an outward force, or both? Chen, who helped train Reeves on the Matrix films, proves a better actor fighting than when left alone with the camera. But thats a quibble for a movie streamlined to evoke the timeless zip of martial arts movies past. Watch this movie if you like martial arts films it is one of the better ones with some breathtaking fight scenes. One ill definitely watch again and again.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 01:49:28 +0000
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