“Two
orphaned boys, one ruthlessly
ambitious and the other gentle and wise,
grow up under the guidance of a Kung
Fu master in the legendary Shaolin
Temple —
but when the intervention of
fate sends them in completely different
directions they fulfil a destiny from
which only one may return...”
TWO ORPHANED YOUNGSTERS meet in the Shaolin Temple and become friends, disappointed
to learn from their master that their keenness to study Kung Fu must be curbed
until they understand that Kung Fu should only be used to help others.
Having spied on the older students against their master's orders, the two boys
practice together in secret and become skilled beyond their years. But when
they reach the age to be tested along with their peers to see which of them
will be promoted to Da Mor Hall to further their studies of advanced martial
arts techniques, the ambitious Tian Bao (Chin Siu Ho: Fist Of Legend)
loses his temper with his opponent for cheating and forgets the golden rule
that they should restrain themselves during the contest.
His friend Jun Bao (Jet Li: Fearless; The Forbidden Kingdom) leaps to
his defence and the two find themselves fighting the entire class in a terrific
martial arts sequence using Luo Han Poles before being banished from the Temple
for "ferocious intent".
Before long, Tian Bao and Jun Bao are in trouble again. Having helped a young
lute player, Siu Lin (Michelle Yeoh: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon),
who is searching for her husband, and another young woman who was receiving
some unwanted attention, the two young monks find themselves in the company
of underground rebels who have a price on their heads.
With Governor Liu, his sister and the royal eunuch Liu Jin comes untold cruelty
as the soldiers extract taxes from everyone to fund the barbaric regime. In
The Laughing Buddha restaurant there is a magnificent display of martial arts,
including flying fists, feet and furniture, which has to be seen to be believed.
But Tian Bao is still determined to rise to fame and riches and he sets off
to join the army while Jun Bao throws in his lot with the freedom fighters.
Having chosen their different paths, Tian Bao's ruthless ambition knows no bounds.
And when Siu Lin is captured and faces certain death, Jun Bao has to face the
man who was once his friend and fight for freedom and truth: "There are always
guiding fates."
Tai-Chi Master is a spectacular martial arts action thriller with beautiful
images and moderate violence. In Chinese with English subtitles that are easy
to read, the film has a story that takes every advantage of the most amazingly
visual fight sequences.
Action superstars Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh team up with celebrated action-Director
Yuen Woo-Ping (The Matrix Trilogy), to deliver one of the most kinetic
and inventive martial arts adventures of all time.
Tai-Chi Master also features: Fannie Yuen as Miss Li; Yuen Cheung Yan as Rev
Ling; Lau Shun as Master; and Yue Hoi as Head Master. Associate Producer is
Julia Chu; Art director is Fu Tak Lam; Production Designer is Raymond Li; Martial
Arts Choreographers are Yuen Woo Ping, Yuen Cheung Yan and Ku Huen Chiu; Director
of Photography is Tom Lau (HKSC); Music is by Wu Wai Lap; Edited by Angie Lam;
Screenplay by Ip Kwong Kim; Produced by Jet Li; and Directed by Uen Woo Ping.
• Showcasing his trademark speed, agility
and explosive power, Jet Li is a true force of nature in this matchless movie
event that delivers scene after scene of truly spectacular martial arts combat
as Tai-Chi Master comes to DVD and Blu-ray on 26 April 2010. Certificate:
18 | Price: £17.99.
"Tai-Chi Master is a spectacular martial arts action thriller with beautiful
images" — Maggie Woods, MotorBar
Special Features
Nemesis: An exclusive interview with star Chin Siu Ho | The Birthplace of Tai-Chi:
On location in Chen Village | Meditations On The Master: Director Brett Ratner
and critic Elvis Mitchell on Director Yuen Woo Ping | Twin Warriors: Critic
Elvis Mitchell and Director Brett Ratner discuss Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh |
Original Home Video Trailer.
“Two
orphaned boys, one ruthlessly