Buy Tai Chi Master - Cool Stuff to Own

Product Description: Superstar Jet Li shows off his legendary speed, power, and agility at the peak of his martial arts prowess in this sweeping action epic. In an age of swordsmen and rebellion, two best friends and fellow martial arts students are expelled from the storied temple of Shaolin, only to meet again on the battlefield one a power-hungry general, the other a freedom-fighting rebel, both mortal enemies. Featuring Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon s Michelle Yeoh and directed by the celebrated Yuen Woo-Ping (action choreographer of The Matrix films), Tai Chi Master is a quintessential martial arts classic.

Amazon.com essential: Tai Chi Master is the greatest "wire-fu" film from Yuen Woo-ping, best known as the martial-arts choreographer of the Matrix and Kill Bill films. "Wire-fu" films were created during the martial arts film resurgence of the late 80s and early 90s, and in terms of fight choreography, this is arguably the best of the entire genre. Tai Chi Master demonstrated Jet Li?s martial-arts abilities at their most frenetic and fluid, and Li was at the height of his athletic prowess. If that wasn?t enough, it's also one of action queen Michelle Yeoh?s finest performances in a wuxia period piece. Li and Yeoh were supported by an equally athletic cast, led by the remarkable Chin Siu-hou, who plays the nemesis to Li?s hero. Chin manages to steal every scene, even when he is being beaten to a pulp. Li and Chin play best friends Jun and Tien, who grow up in Shaolin Temple during the Manchu Dynasty. Gentle Jun is satisfied with the simple things in life, but hot-tempered Tien craves power and wealth. The film?s exposition pays homage to the 70s Shaw Brothers films (such as The 36th Chamber of Shaolin), and the closing scene in the temple is only the first of a series of spectacular martial arts set pieces. Jun and Tien?s dispositions lead them to two different paths in life; Jun joins the rebellion against the cruel Manchu regime, while Tien joins the army. Here, Yuen treads all-too familiar territory, but the actors still throw themselves into the thin material. The film?s mid-part is weighed down by the usual intrusion of feckless Hong Kong slapstick, but the story quickly recovers when Jun discovers the secrets of tai chi. When Li fires up his tai chi skills, the results are some of the best boxing scenes the genre has ever witnessed. Tai Chi Master established Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh as the best martial arts actors in the business, and Yuen the best choreographer. Though elements of the film are dated, Tai Chi Master remains a landmark in the martial arts genre. --Roberto Azula

Customer Reviews:

A Must Have Among Others: Especially for Martial Artist November 30, 2008
Although this movie has points of outright goofiness and cheesy comedy the martial arts technique is certainly sound. Other must haves are (in this order)

1. The Protector (THE MOST technically sound martial arts film I've ever seen)
2. Fist of Legend (THE 2nd MOST technically sound martial arts film I've ever seen)
3. Hero (Completely Fantastic Movie!!)
4. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Brilliant Story Line)
5. Flying Daggers (Good Love Story)
6. Iron Monkey (Great Forms)
7. Tai Chi Master aka Twin Warriors (Nice Technique but dumbly bad comedy)
7. Zatoichi (A Classic)

Good Movie November 23, 2008
If you like martial art's movie's, then buy Tai Chi Master. It doesnt have the greatest stunts, and yes, they do fly around some times so there are some cables and things used for 98% of the fight scene's. But overall the movie was done well and has a great story.

No Chinese dub? November 14, 2008
Seriously, what kind of moron puts a foreign movie out on DVD and doesn't include the original language dub? Not to mention that the English dubbing on this is terrible, almost as if it's mocking the movie. I hope this wonderful film gets a real release. Until then, I suggest you just download Tai Chi Master instead.

two of the greats October 25, 2008
in martial arts are brought to us - Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh. I thought i had saw this in the past under another name. The film is well made and i personally prefer to watch this in its original language and not dubbed. So i don't know how great or bad that transfer was.

But the film itself is great, it has the wire-effect going on. Its used when needed and its never anything outrageously crazy or anything. The fighting among the characters is some of the best especially when Jet Li begins to master Tai Chi. Nothing that villian does in the end fight scene is enough to barely scratch him. Its different to see two characters that started the movie out and life as friends. That they would turn out to be mortal enemies. He just couldn't see past all the fame, glory and money which led him down that path.

A solid film, all around. 4 stars

Tai Chi Master September 9, 2008
I already forgot the movie. Made no impact. I'm not sure what I expected so I should not be disappointed.

Tai Chi Master

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