Wellgo USA Blu-ray Synopsis: In legendary Chen village, everyone is a martial arts master, using their powerful Chen Style Tai Chi in all aspects of their lives. Lu Chan has arrived to train, but the villagers are forbidden to teach Chen Style to outsiders, and do their best to discourage him by challenging him to a series of fights. Everyone, from strong men to young children, defeats him using their Tai Chi moves. But when a man from the village's past returns with a frightening steam-powered machine and plans to build a railroad through the village at any cost, the villagers realize they may have no choice but to put their faith in Lu Chan... who has a secret power of his own. (98 Mins)

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Views: Stephen Fung's massive steampunk kung-fu comedy tells the tale of Yang Lu Chan, a young wushu fighter who was born with a mysterious horn on his right temple. If hit, the horn releases an unmatched power that makes Yang a force to be reckoned with – although always results in a heavy nosebleed and a blackout afterwards, shortening his lifespan every time his 'superpower' is used. To try and help his bizarre case, Yang is advised by a dying kung-fu master to go to Chen Village – a legendary place where everyone is gifted in the art of Chen Style Tai Chi. But this proves to be easier said than done, as the strict village rules forbid any outsiders from learning their kung-fu style, but the young warrior is more than determined. Taking on many of the villagers, from children to old men, Yang tries his luck at getting accepted but is continually defeated until he gains a little help from Master Chen himself. At the same time, Chen Village is infiltrated by Fang Zijing – an old resident who left to seek education in the west and is intent on helping the British forces exploit the forbidden land which includes building a railroad right through his old home. Now, with the help of their new superhero friend, the residents of Chen Village must stand up to Fang and his army as well as his monstrous steam-driven tank in the ultimate showdown of old versus new!

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As a director, Stephen Fung has come a long way since Heroes In Love (2001), Enter The Phoenix (2004), and the awesome House Of Fury (2005) – although as an actor, I can take or leave him. Either way, the man has been doing very well for himself in front of and behind the camera, going on to produce and direct many hits like Tai Chi 0 and it's sequel Tai Chi 2: Rise Of The Hero (2012), The Adventurers (2017) with Andy Lau, and martial arts television shows Wu Assassins (2019) and Into The Badlands (2015) with his old co-star and good friend, Daniel Wu who also served as one of the main producers here. With this dual project, Fung takes his film-making skills to another level and delivers a highly accomplished piece that parodies the classic kung-fu tale with a brave mix of comic book storytelling, strong CGI, explosive martial arts action, and huge production values! In fact, it's hard to find anything to really dislike about Tai Chi 0 if I'm to be honest, except perhaps in the case that it kills off too many legends and stars who have cameoed, far too soon. It's a minor gripe mind you, as Stephen Fung aims to fit in as many big names of stars past and present in a bid to appeal to kung-fu fans of all ages – and something he does hilariously, mocking the old Shaw Brothers style of character introduction on-screen. This time though, Fung breaks the fourth wall by letting his audience know some real-life information about the actor in question, such as when the character of Andrew Lau appears he is accompanied by a title card that mentions he's the director of Infernal Affairs – and then there's the large cartoon title cards that highlight certain moves, or flash up as 'K.O.' when someone is taken down. For me, Tai Chi 0 was hugely entertaining on many levels but I can understand why some viewers and critics felt it was a bit busy with its fancy visuals, slick editing, stylised graphics, and gorgeous production design (much of which was in place for the films 3D release). Another complaint I noticed from many other reviewers was that the script was overcrowded and didn't focus enough on the journey of the main character to learn Chen Style Tai Chi. I mean, seriously, did these people completely miss the whole point of Tai Chi 0 being a parody of kung-fu movies? Yes there is a hell of a lot going on, but it's so friggin cleverly done and often hilarious that it helps make such a generic kung-fu storyline incredibly exciting and refreshing to watch. I actually found it to be very similar in vein to the awesome Kung Fu Hustle (2004), and often felt I was watching a live adaptation of a crazy anime such as One Punch Man, Cromartie High School, and even Naruto – and I haven't even got into the whole steampunk side of things!

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The legendary Sammo Hung gets the job of action director, aided by the wonderful Andy Cheng – a long time member of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team who has starred in and choreographed a host of films including titles such as Angel Terminators 2 (1993), Saint Of Gamblers (1995), Around The World In 80 Days (2004), U.S. Seals 2 (2001), and more recently the Marvel box office smash, Shang Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings (2021). Between the two of them and their team, viewers are treated to a wild ride of action scenes that mostly focus on stylized wire-work blended with the talents of the cast involved. As with a lot of Sammo's more recent outings – both as a director and actor – a lot of this is captured in glorious slow motion, and often to capture the more intricate moves involved as well as the power. There are many highlights of action throughout such as Yang Lu Chan's introduction on the battlefield which allows wushu champion Jayden Yuan Xiao Chao in his debut role, to show exactly what he is made of. The wonderful Bruce Leung gets to go up against the equally as wonderful Fung Hak On, and Clubfoot himself (Xiong Xin Xin) gets to kick-ass a couple of times as the protector of the village gate. Stephen Fung gets to join in the action in the beginning of the film as he joins Jayden Yuan in battle, and Angelababy – whom I've enjoyed in films like Young Detective Dee: Rise Of The Sea Dragon (2013), League Of Gods (2016), and Rise Of The Legend (2014) where she joined co-star Eddie Peng and Sammo Hung once again – does a great job under Hung's watchful eye, as the daughter of Master Chen who is played by the brilliant Tony Leung Ka Fai. As the greatest fighter of the village, most of Leung's battles prove to be some of the best in the film and although there are certainly more accomplished martial arts actors out there, it was still great to see him in the role and in action. The rest of the cast is filled out with plenty of exciting actors such as the handsome Eddie Peng who stars as the antagonist of the piece, the great Stanley Fung from the Lucky Stars Trilogy, Shu Qi as Yang's mother, and the aforementioned cameo by director Andrew Lau who stars as Yang Lu Chan's father...

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The film is gorgeously captured by a team of cinematographers, one of which is Peter Ngor Chi Kwan – the director of Erotic Ghost Story 2 (1991) and Legendary Couple (1995), and an actor who has appeared in countless classics such as On The Run (1988), The Blonde Fury (1989), Ebola Syndrome (1996), and many more. Ngor was also the man behind the camera on many Shaw Brothers hits like Dirty Ho (1979), Clan Of The White Lotus (1980), Return To The 36th Chamber (1980), and Legendary Weapons Of Kung Fu (1982), as well as modern classics like Mr. Vampire (1985), Armour of God (1986), My Lucky Stars (1985), The Dragon From Russia (1990), Sex & Zen (1991), Full Contact (1992), and many more. Along with a team of cinematographers, Ngor captures plenty of stunning scenes that make almost every frame beautiful to watch. All in all, Tai Chi 0 was a joy to watch and always has something new to catch with each repeated viewing. It was a bold move for Fung and his writers Cheng Hsiao Tse and Chang Chia Lu, with the latter being behind some great titles such as A World Without Thieves (2004), the Detective Dee Trilogy (2010), Mojin: The Lost Legend (2015), and more. For those of you who have yet to catch Tai Chi 0, it's probably best to warn you that the film does end on a cliff-hanger with some loose ends – all of which are tied up and continued in its entertaining sequel, Tai Chi 2: A Hero Rises (aka Tai Chi Hero).

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Overall: Packed with plenty of Easter eggs for fans of kung-fu cinema and hugely entertaining, Tai Chi 0 is wonderfully impressive with great comedy and strong action!

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Blu-ray Extras: Behind The Scenes Feature, Music Video, Trailers