Man of Tai Chi (2013)

When we think of Keanu Reeves, we mostly see the Matrix or Speed or Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.  However, one thing I think we could agree that the one thing we didn't expect from him is to direct a feature length film.  Man of Tai Chi is Keanu's first and hopefully last film.  It's completely devoid of likable characters, cool action scenes, or decent acting.  So you might be wondering why the score is a 5/10 instead of a 1/10....Well, the film is funny, and not the good kind.  There are many laughable moments, especially near the end, and it really makes the experience much easier.  Keanu Reeves probably saw this as an action film, but I saw it as a comedy.  Nothing good comes from that.

Man of Tai Chi is about Tiger Chen, a young, innocent martial artist.  He works at the post office and doubles as a master of Tai Chi in his palace.  Running low on money, the palace is about to be closed and Tiger is running straight into debt.  So he enters a fight tournament and comes in first.  Now, Tai Chi isn't used as a fighting technique, but rather a technique used for peace within yourself.  They mention this once and it's never brought up again.  Anyways, Tiger's performance has attracted the eyes of a huge business man played by none other than Keanu Reeves.  Reeves meets with Tiger and gives him an option: You fight for him or leave.  Desperately needing money, Tiger joins "Fight Club".

The film is bad, nothing more and nothing less.  When the best actor in this film is Keanu Reeves, you know your film is gonna suck.  Everything was phoned in and the script was clearly made in under a month.  This wouldn't bother me if the film had cool fight scenes, right?  Well, sorta.  The first fight was okay.  It gets your pulse moving somewhat.  However, after that, it all went down hill.  The fights just seemed ultra repetitive and don't get me started on the "super powers" these guys have.  You heard me right.  These guys do the strangest jumps and punches.  They even threw in a Kamehameha, even though it was more of air than blue dust.  I mean, I don't mind it, seeing as I found Hero and House of the Flying Daggers to be decent.  However, I get really sick of the flying and terrible choreograph.

Oh, and speaking of choreography....OMG!  The last fight scene was just hilarious.  I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life.  You shouldn't watch this film and they even spoiled it in the trailer, so I'll tell you what happens.  Anyways, a huge falling out occurs between Tiger and Keanu.  So, like Keanu always does, he confronts Tiger, leading to a fight at Tiger's temple.  Oh, how I've never laughed this loud before.  Watching Keanu's stupid face trying to do kung fu is just.......just too funny!  And then, they give Keanu superpowers, like semi-flying and super strength.  Oh, and there's a moment where Keanu does a drop kick on Tiger and land perfectly......That's easily the best part cause it was too obvious that there was wire work going on and.....YOU JUST HAVE TO SEE IT!

All in all, don't believe the hype.  Man of Tai Chi definitely doesn't deserve the 70% it has on RT right now.  The acting is atrocious.  I mean seriously, the best actor throughout this film is Keanu.  That's a sign that it isn't good.  The plot is involving, which is a shame cause it could have been a somewhat decent character study.  I mean, to see a man go from good to evil would be nice.  However, it never utilized it at all.  The action scenes are completely second rate.  This would be child's play to someone like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Donnie Yen, or any other martial artists.  The special effects are seriously some of the worst I've seen, especially the terrible wire work on Keanu's drop kick.  This film just doesn't work....at all, except on one standard.  If you and your friends have nothing to do on a Friday night, turn this film on and enjoy a huge roasting session.  As a comedy, this film is gold.  As what it wants to be (a full throttle actionier), it fails miserably.

5/10