Tai Chi Hero Blu-ray review

Actors: Jayden Yuan, Angelababy, Tony Leung, Eddie Peng, Shu Qi

Format: Blu-ray, NTSC, Dolby, Subtitled, THX, Widescreen

Language: Mandarin Chinese

Subtitles: English

Dubbed: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: Well Go USA

Release Date: July 2, 2013

Run Time: 106 minutes

 

 

        Tai Chi Zero was somewhat like the Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World of martial arts films, meshing an assortment of comic book and video game references with a steampunk style and traditional kung-fu action. The result was a melting pot of unbridled entertainment, which was not appreciated by all. Attempting to readjust, director Stephen Fung gives us a slowed down follow-up film with Tai Chi Hero, the second in what is supposed to be a trilogy. The characters are more important in this film, though the energy suffers some because of this. There is also a feeling of incompleteness, as there was with the first film, putting a great deal of pressure on the final film for delivering a satisfactory conclusion.

 

        Lu Chan (Jayden Yuan) has been accepted into the Chen Village after marrying Yu Niang (Angelababy), daughter of Master Chen (Tony Leung KA-Fai). This wedding is interrupted by the arrival of Yu Niang’s brother, who is intent to interfere for unknown reasons. The village also must fear the return of Yu Niang’s former fiancé and a powerful man named Duke Fleming (Peter Stormare) who controls an army. There are a few great action sequences, though it is a milder film from the last one.

 

        The Blu-ray release of this Asian blockbuster includes only a making-of featurette as far as extras are concerned. There is also an optional English dubbing option, though I prefer the subtitles.

 

Entertainment Value: 7.5/10

Quality of Filmmaking: 7/10

Historical Significance: 6/10

Disc Features: 4/10