Man Of Tai Chi

Keanu Reeves co-stars and makes his directorial debut, in no less than a traditional Hong Kong martial arts film.  It centers around a young tai chi expert (Tiger Hu Chen) who finds himself caught up in the ruthless world of underground fighting.  No surprise here at the premise. I think what really surprised me and perhaps many other fans of the martial arts genre/Reeves himself, was how un-Hollywood in budget or quality the film is.  After all, a union of Keanu Reeves and Hong Kong action, would seem to suggest that to one's expectations.  Well folks, The Matrix it ain't.   Let's just get that out of the way. Again, it's a traditional Hong Kong martial arts film and it suffers from many of the flaws in storyline and script. For a Westerner to debut directing a Chinese martial arts film would be challenging enough.  But to embark upon a film about the application of the elusive and mysterious nature of tai chi application, is quite another thing.  No, it's not the best martial art film or even the first to endeavor into tai chi.  (I have yet to view the Tai Chi Zero movies myself) What the filmmakers do a decent job of, is conveying those concepts inherent in tai chi, onto the screen in an entertaining and meaningful way. There is much heart in the endeavor and it shows. I was pleasantly surprised at this, because my expectations had fallen quite a bit, upon viewing the trailer after being really intrigued and excited like everyone else  at the initial prospect of Keanu and the subject of tai chi.