Sunday, August 19, 2012

Tai-Chi Master

I had a blast watching 1993's Tai-Chi Master

It's about 2 best friends who travel 2 opposite paths after being forced to leave the Shaolin Temple in disgrace. Obviously, their paths will criss-cross again. 

Originally released as Twin Warriors, this is a throw-back to the old-school kung-fu movies I watched growing up. It's got plenty of wire-work (and you can even see some of the wires, being pre-CGI) and comedy - making it borderline cheesy. But mostly fun. 

The action is really good. There are enough non-flying fights to keep it from getting too cheesy. And even the wire-work fights are done well. 

But I was really blown away by Jet Li. The entire cast is great, including Michelle Yeoh. But Jet shows a subtle, brilliant hint at comedic expression that I've never seen from him before.

Rent Tai-Chi Master if you're in the mood for a good, dumb (and I mean that in the best possible sense - no thinking necessary) action movie.