This little movie skipped under the radar of most people when it released in November 2013. I don't think it ever showed in the theaters in my city, but it popped onto my Netflix radar this afternoon. To set the stage for this movie, it's Keanu Reeves' first stint as director; he also plays bad guy Donaka. It's set in Hong Kong and features some big names in the Hong Kong film industry. Although, these actors are relatively unknown in the US.
I loved the use of Tai Chi in this movie, when it was used by Yang. I liked Tiger's style, but Yang's was so calm and fluid, almost like watching water fall from a cup. The movie also managed to showcase some of the other styles in the fighting world without taking away from the story of Tiger. Granted, Tai Chi is usually used as an exercise method, not a fighting style. The cinematography for the fight scenes was excellent (with a few exceptions) and gave a good impression of the many moves each fighter displayed.
The story itself is pretty common; it's the Dorian Grey archetype. A young student wants to rebel against the strict teachings of his master, and a dark shadowy figure leads him down a path of more and more dangerous pastimes. The story also takes the traditional American kung- fu movie and tips it by making the American the bad guy and the foreigner the hero. It actually felt more like a foreign film than I expected from Keanu Reeves.
Acting wise, I liked everyone except the English speakers. I felt Keanu was a bit stiff, but pulling the job of both actor and director can sometimes do that. Also, the female announcer annoyed me whenever she spoke because it felt like she was reading off a cue card. Tiger Chen (played by Tiger Chen) was very expressive and I liked how he often conveyed more with his eyes than anything else.
I loved the use of Tai Chi in this movie, when it was used by Yang. I liked Tiger's style, but Yang's was so calm and fluid, almost like watching water fall from a cup. The movie also managed to showcase some of the other styles in the fighting world without taking away from the story of Tiger. Granted, Tai Chi is usually used as an exercise method, not a fighting style. The cinematography for the fight scenes was excellent (with a few exceptions) and gave a good impression of the many moves each fighter displayed.
The story itself is pretty common; it's the Dorian Grey archetype. A young student wants to rebel against the strict teachings of his master, and a dark shadowy figure leads him down a path of more and more dangerous pastimes. The story also takes the traditional American kung- fu movie and tips it by making the American the bad guy and the foreigner the hero. It actually felt more like a foreign film than I expected from Keanu Reeves.
Acting wise, I liked everyone except the English speakers. I felt Keanu was a bit stiff, but pulling the job of both actor and director can sometimes do that. Also, the female announcer annoyed me whenever she spoke because it felt like she was reading off a cue card. Tiger Chen (played by Tiger Chen) was very expressive and I liked how he often conveyed more with his eyes than anything else.