This is also Keanu Reeves' directorial debut and a good effort at that. One of his 'Matrix' colleagues - Tiger Chen - is cast as the protagonist. As a small production (not low budget), the movie gets full marks for having its heart in the right place. It charts the journey of a talented Tai Chi martial artist who is tempted and trapped by desire and must fight his hardest battle against himself.
Tiger Chen plays Chen Linhu, the only student of an aging Tai Chi master. He works the competitive fight demonstration circuits and is generally acknowledged as a master practitioner but this fame and respect does not translate into money. Chen's teacher is not too impressed with him, fearing that his violent and aggressive side will never allow him to embrace the philosophy of Tai Chi. Chen is determined to popularise Tai Chi but his day job as a delivery boy limits his dreams and his financial constraints jeopardise his school when greedy developers want to buy the land and demolish it.
He comes into contact with Mark Donaka - Keanu Reeves - a shady businessman who organises fight-to-the-death matches and who is smart enough to realise that Chen is a skilled fighting machine. He pits Chen against all types of fighters in brutal matches that Chen wins nearly every time. The fights offer Chen an outlet to vent his anger and frustration while also sprucing up his bank balance, although he struggles with the concept of fighting for money early on. When he warms to the idea, the law catches up with him and he has to figure out for himself if that is the life he wants to continue to lead.
A moral dilemma packaged as an action movie, Man of Tai Chi is an entertainer. The screenplay is tight, the characters are relatable and the fights are satisfactory - shot stylishly with minimal wire-work.
Tiger Chen may well be a member of that rare breed - an action star that can also act. His performance is surprisingly understated, demonstrates some range and is completely believable. He makes quick work of his opponents although with some of larger fighters one is inclined to overlook some artistic liberties taken.
Chinese stars Karen Mok and Simon Yam plays the cops trying to pin down Mark Donaka - superfluous characters - but perfectly adequate. The movie rests on Tiger Chen because the weak link here is Keanu Reeves. He seems to have gotten carried away and is too many scenes getting ever more over-the-top as the film progresses. Compared to the lithe and wiry Chen, he is not very convincing as a master fighter either. It is not a major drawback though; Keanu's fans should be excited to see him in a rare negative role while his presence ensures that there is a wider, mainstream appeal for the movie.
It is a good directorial debut and will be appreciated by fans of action movies.
