Soulblade/Dragon UK DVD Synopsis: Despite its unknown cast, all the action are top level martial artist, as in the critically acclaimed 'Shaolin Temple Trilogy' starring Jet Li. Reassured as one of the best and most authentic of the Tai Chi Movie, it depicts the struggle between good and evil, YING and YANG. Breath taking fight scenes ensure this is a must for all collectors of quality martial arts films. (90 Mins)

​

Views: After opening with a brief history and display of tai chi featuring a couple of older practitioners, Tai Chi Master immediately jumps into good old fashioned traditional-kung-fu-movie territory as we see a small army of soldiers, led by an evil Qing general, setting fire to a small village before trying to slain its residents. It's a great opening fight sequence and just a taste of what to expect throughout, as these honest-to-god martial artists show off their kicks and weapons work in an authentic display of kung fu. When the mother of a noble family is captured and beheaded, it's up to her husband and children to seek revenge. They soon meet a Shaolin monk and a family of tai chi masters, who agree to help the family by teaching them their art in a bid to put a stop to the Qing general once and for all. It all leads to a climactic and impressive showdown that sees the family lured into a trap, where they must then stand strong against the Qing's and fight for their lives!

​

Although the picture quality on this particular DVD isn't amazing, you can see that Tai Chi Master is still nicely shot and carries a score similar to that of older Hollywood movies – the type I would have watched with my grandmother on Sunday afternoon television. Like many productions of this era from mainland China such as the Shaolin Temple Trilogy, Arhats In Fury, and others, the story telling and overall production values come as standard, but the film is rife with the energy of its performers. Director Chik Ngai Hung, who also wrote the screenplay and aided in the fight choreography, has appeared in over 130 movies himself including a host of Shaw Brothers classics such as The Heroic Ones, King Boxer, Delightful Forest, and Heroes Two, as well as starring in others like Snake In The Eagle's Shadow, Dynamo, Enter The Fat Dragon, Sleeping Fist, Game Of Death 2: Tower Of Death and even Aces Go Places. His first film as a martial arts director was the fun Crack Shadow Boxers, soon followed by titles like Sleeping Fist, The Loot, Devil Fetus, and Mission Kill. Interestingly enough, Tai Chi Master would be Chik's one and only film as a director, as well as his final project as a feature filmmaker. Star of The Young Hero Of Shaolin 1 & 2, Guo Liang, leads the way as one of the vengeful sons. I quite like Liang as an actor and martial artist, so it's a shame that he only appeared in a handful of titles before quietly disappearing from the film world – although its very possible that he went on to star in many other films and television shows in the mainland. The impressive Hong Tao from Out Of Danger and Revenge Of Swordsmanship stars as the evil Qing general, but everyone else involved seems to be first time actors. It's quite possible that most of these guys were competitive wushu and tai chi performers hired for their fighting skills alone. There are moments throughout Tai Chi Master that boast a cast of hundreds, from the entertaining night festival for the general to the massive showdown in the finale. With no CGI on-hand, the amount of people you see on screen is the genuine thing.

​

While Tai Chi Master offers a story we've all seen a thousand times before and looks like any other kung fu film from the same era, it still proves to be an entertaining enough watch – saved by its nicely choreographed and highly energetic fight scenes. I certainly wouldn't say it's a film you need to rush out to buy, but it's worth a watch at least once if you ever come across it...

​

Overall: A great showcase of traditional kung fu in film, Tai Chi Master makes for a good watch and delivers on fight action!

​

Soulblade/Dragon DVD Extras: Trailers