Man of Tai Chi

Name: Man of Tai Chi
Genre: Action, Drama
Released: November 1, 2013
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 52

2013

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Mixed or average reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 71 Ratings

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6.6

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6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 71 Ratings

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Man Of Tai Chi

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Movie Details & Credits

RADiUS-TWC | Release Date: November 1, 2013 | R

Summary: Set in modern Beijing, Man of Tai Chi, Keanu Reevesâ

Director: Keanu Reeves

Genre(s): Action, Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 105 min

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Critic Reviews

Ignatiy Vishnevetsky

Oct 30, 2013

For fans of wushu flicks — or action movies in general — Man Of Tai Chi presents a rare appreciation for the art of conveying movement on screen, while also serving as an impressive physical showcase for its star, stuntman Tiger Chen. Read full review

Bilge Ebiri

Nov 2, 2013

It’s the kind of solid, small-scale, entertaining action flick we probably need more of these days. Read full review

Bruce Ingram

Oct 31, 2013

The story is so-so, in other words, but the pummeling is primo. Read full review

Mark Jenkins

Nov 1, 2013

Basically the anti-"Kill Bill." Both movies are quilted together from their auteurs' favorite Asian action flicks, but where Tarantino's was overheated, Reeves' is elegantly iced. Read full review

Walter Addiego

Oct 31, 2013

A modestly entertaining martial arts melodrama with impressively staged fight sequences that help compensate for a stale plot and some less-than-stellar acting. Read full review

McClatchy-Tribune News Service Roger Moore

Oct 29, 2013

The script here is pretty stale stuff, with an under-developed side story of the cop (Karen Mok) on Donako’s trail and dialogue (in English and Chinese) that is often banal. Read full review

Michael Atkinson

Oct 29, 2013

The film is stale Chinese popcorn from the get-go, with only Chen's wiry guilelessness and wicked athletic skills to keep it remotely edible. Read full review

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User Reviews

Lambo442

Nov 18, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I thought this was a brilliant directorial debut from Keanu. It's very well put together, with tons of brutal action, a banging soundtrack, a great concept for the story and just all round entertainment. Keanu seems to capture the spirit of the classic martial arts flick perfectly, demonstrated not only by the directing style but in his role as the archetypal lead henchman. His performance borders on Grindhouse and makes me think he'd be perfect for that genre too. I don't know how the guy looks so young as well. He's either been cloned at some point or as had a facelift. A great martial arts flick and one I'll definitely be watching again.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Thegodfatherson

Nov 1, 2013

It may not be groundbreaking, but Man of Tai Chi represents an agreeably old-fashioned picture for martial arts fans and a solid debut for first-time director Keanu Reeves. The music is sizzling and Tiger Chen doesn't need wires, it's spectacular. Man Of Tai Chi is one of the best martialIt may not be groundbreaking, but Man of Tai Chi represents an agreeably old-fashioned picture for martial arts fans and a solid debut for first-time director Keanu Reeves. The music is sizzling and Tiger Chen doesn't need wires, it's spectacular. Man Of Tai Chi is one of the best martial arts films after Gareth Evans's The Raid.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Slickest

Nov 9, 2013

The film is very good but I wanted it to be great. The martial arts in this film are amazing and shot quite well not from up close (Hollywood trick that I hate to make seem action seem more intense) but from a wider angle to show case the amazing choreography. The action doesn't needThe film is very good but I wanted it to be great. The martial arts in this film are amazing and shot quite well not from up close (Hollywood trick that I hate to make seem action seem more intense) but from a wider angle to show case the amazing choreography. The action doesn't need help to be intense and starts early and is frequent and varied until just after halfway where the movie goes a touch too slow through the dramatic story line before an ending that was almost great. Keanu is great as a director and for first-time out has made a very watchable film with incredible action sequences while showcasing us the incredible artist Tiger Hu Chen whose skills I look forward to seeing more of.
If you enjoy this genre don't miss this film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Testuser134

Feb 12, 2017

It may not be groundbreaking but it has few scenes which were outstanding like first Tiger fight with two opponents. This movie is quite solid martial arts movie, which does not try to have super deep story and characters you wish the best for. Instead you get eye pleasing visuals, a littleIt may not be groundbreaking but it has few scenes which were outstanding like first Tiger fight with two opponents. This movie is quite solid martial arts movie, which does not try to have super deep story and characters you wish the best for. Instead you get eye pleasing visuals, a little bit of Chinese culture and philosophy. It is not Keanus best role to be honest though.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LeZee

Apr 24, 2014

Directional debut for Keanu Reeves which was partially based on stuntman Tiger Chen's life story. Since the story was inspired by a Chinese character, the movie was co-produced by Hollywood and China in Cantonese and Mandarin languages with a little English. Keanu Reeves appeared in aDirectional debut for Keanu Reeves which was partially based on stuntman Tiger Chen's life story. Since the story was inspired by a Chinese character, the movie was co-produced by Hollywood and China in Cantonese and Mandarin languages with a little English. Keanu Reeves appeared in a negative role and his friend Tiger Chen as himself.

As the Keanu Reeves's first movie as a captain it is evident that he had faced tough challenges to capture in some of the scenes. Clearly the fight choreographies were the best parts of the movie. Since his friend Tiger Chen is a stuntman they had no troubles in those areas. Those who love martial arts will like this movie for its awesome stunt sequences. Drama portions were little sloppy, due to the similar fashion storyline that already we had seen in some of the earlier releases.

It is not a finest martial art movie of the year, but fights were the movie's highlight. I can't appreciate Keanu Reeves direction, but somehow he handled everything nicely from this movie being a junk. He's a good actor than a director, though he may improve in his next project, but I don't know.

I expected this movie to be fast paced, exciting one, but what I got was opposite. The reason was the story of individual character did not fit into as a single movie. For example, Tiger Chen's master and his story, Hong Kong Police and their criminal chase, all these looked a bit weird together. Removing commercial elements could have made it a better movie.

This is not the first time a western director flew to the east to make a movie. It has been done many times in the past in movies like 'The Last Samurai', 'Kundun' and the recent one '47 Ronin' et cetera. So no wonder Keanu Reeves made this with his best friend Tiger Chen. The question is, is this movie worth to have a peek? I would say it was not the best nor the worst.

6.5/10… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Broyax

Feb 7, 2018

Keanu Reeves passe derrière la caméra et propose "son" film d'arts martiaux, tout en s'adjugeant au passage un petit rôle pas très gentil et manipulateur... Du coup, inutile de songer aux séquences de Matrix "je connais le kung fu" que ce soit formellement ou scénaristiquement bien entendu :Keanu Reeves passe derrière la caméra et propose "son" film d'arts martiaux, tout en s'adjugeant au passage un petit rôle pas très gentil et manipulateur... Du coup, inutile de songer aux séquences de Matrix "je connais le kung fu" que ce soit formellement ou scénaristiquement bien entendu : l'approche de l'acteur-metteur en scène repose ici en filigrane sur les principes fondateurs de cette discipline particulière que l'on nomme le "Taï Chi" : le contrôle opposé à la force...

Cela n'est sans doute pas très adroit et rejoint par analogie la naïveté des deux côtés de la Force d'une célèbre saga (obscur ou lumineux), appliquée à une sorte de philosophie orientale "pour les nuls" vue par un Américain... Oui, c'est vraiment bizarre et pourtant malgré leurs maladresses, on devine les bonnes intentions de Keanu qu'on sent clairement admirateur des arts de l'Empire du Milieu.

Le film se montre intrigant et enchaîne un beau paquet de combats, lesquels ne sont pas forcément bien mis en valeur, hélas. Le montage est de temps à autre assez détestable et surdécoupe trop l'action : cher Keanu, pourquoi n'as-tu pas revisionné les vieux classiques chinois en la matière ? ou revu le premier Matrix avec ses superbes ralentis ? or, de ralentis, il n'en est pas question ici ou beaucoup trop rarement... Quant à la scène en lumières clignotantes, c'était juste horrible.

Bref, comme trop souvent avec les acteurs qui se mettent à réaliser, le résultat est étonnamment perfectible. Mais pas rédhibitoire dans le cas qui nous occupe, fort heureusement ! l'ambiance est agréable et si ce n'était Keanu dans son petit rôle, ce film pourrait passer pour un film 100% chinois avec tout le charme de l'extrême orient, de ses vieux maîtres et de ses belles filles asiatiques.

Un film en tout cas intéressant, jamais ennuyeux, assez spectaculaire et qui laisse une bonne impression globale en dépit de ses errements.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Screamshaw

Nov 2, 2013

Nice movie, amazing fight choreography, a bit of a cliche` story but quite nice and appropriate music soundtrack. Script leaves something to be desired at times and Keanu Reeves' acting is below par in certain scenes but overall nice.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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