After the disappointing "Tai Chi Zero" comes "Tai Chi Hero". The first movie is just poorly developed and not very coherent. It just didn't seem like a complete movie. And I guess it's because the two movies was shot back to back. "Tai Chi Hero" is better than Zero but not by much. It does have a better build up though. But moves along very slowly at times, the pacing needed some work. Both these movies tries to go in a modern hip and cool comic book style kung-fu movie that takes place during a ancient Chinese era. Which is a cool idea, but it's just not executed in a very entertaining manner. The special effects are good, but it falters in a lot of areas. The build up and direction is just mediocre at best and there just isn't enough kung-fu fight sequences. And when there is, it goes in a close up, wire works, special effects direction. But the fight choreography is just bland and forgettable for the most part. The music is however cool. There is one part in this movie where the protagonist has to fight 7 masters of different arts. But it just skims through it. It might have been at least cool and entertaining if it went in a slight Chinese Scott Pilgrim direction. With more depth to fighting through to reach the top scenarios. The foolish and yet righteous hero this time uses more head to head kung-fu but it's just way too far in between. If only they put as much emphasis on kung-fu as much as the special effects. This time it goes in a more Eastern tradition, culture and kung-fu direction which I thought had more meaning than the first one. However the ending seemed way to rushed and again incomplete. Even if plans for another sequel is coming up. Random but I thought Nikki Hsieh is pretty in this movie.

5.8/10

I saw a popular review with 1 star. What the hell are they watching this film for when the trailer is accurate and the film gives you so much more. Firstly if your a fan of Kung Fu Hustle or Dragon Tiger Gate or even The Storm Riders you will love these couple of films.

In short a martial arts village must survive against the evil steampunk death machines and armies who want to build a railway which would destroy the town.

The story is really secondary. It carries the film, but the effects, action, strong characters are flawless if you understand the genre. Most of it is quite unique and visionary while not compromising on the values of a good dramatised Kung Fu adventure. I mean it is really slick how they merge effects, big graphic overlays to convey action and humour which is really good. My only regret after watching them was that I never saw them in the cinema.

If you like Kung Fu films this must be one of the most rewarding films you will ever see. The vision made reality is really epic. It's an instant classic. Anything less than a 7 and you really shouldn't be watching this type of film as it is a near perfect master class. Crouching Tiger action. Subtle Kung Fu Hustle humour. Tarantino style. Sherlock Holmes steampunk. Main character is like Jet Li early years. AMAZING FILM

I had such a blast with Tai Chi Zero, that I was really looking forward to the follow up for more of the zany presentation style adopted by Stephen Fung, to tell a Zero to Hero story of a martial arts protagonist. The first film had protagonist Yang Lu Chan (Jayden Yuan) finally being accepted into the Chen clan through a proxy marriage to Yu Niang (Angelababy),daughter of village chief Master Chen (Tony Leung Kar Fai),since he had assisted in the defeat of their common nemesis Fang Zijing (Eddie Peng),and saved Yu Niang's life, earning admiration and general gratefulness from the villagers.

But Tai Chi Hero didn't quite live up to expectations on many fronts, and became somewhat of a pale shadow that the first film had set up. Sure, the elements are there in Yang Lu Chan's ascension to become a martial arts great, having the fortune to understudy both his wife and father-in-law's renowned kung fu, learning both the physical aspects as well as the philosophy behind the techniques. But it seemed that Stephen Fung had probably gone all out with the first installment, that the second one ran out of steam and suffered from a total burn out. I felt if this had been a trilogy then it wouldn't have to rely on an ending that was obviously so rushed that it ended at the drop of a hat, with story arcs miraculously closed with plenty of convenience poured in.

The fights, as choreographed by Sammo Hung, weren't as many nor as varied as the earlier film, given that Lu Chan is now battling using Tai Chi, and most of the mass battle sequences turned out to be a real blur, which is something of a cheat sheet escape from racking one's brains to come up with something innovative to wow an audience. One on one fights also became an impatient montage eager to get things over with, so the build up to the finale where Lu Chan has to battle against a few masters to get to the boss, became totally short- changed. Probably the only battle worth one's time and money here, is the test of skills between Lu Chan and a Bagua Zhang master (Yuen Biao) atop a series of kitchen panels reminiscence of the tabletop fight in Ip Man 2.

Perhaps the focus here was really more on the relationship between father and son, in Master Chen's estranged relationship with his prodigal oldest child Zai Yang (Feng Shaofeng),who made a quick cameo appearance toward the end of Tai Chi Zero as some martial arts expert. As it turns out, Zai Yang was more of a character than Lu Chan was in this installment, playing up on his martial arts prowess and his engineering smarts that allowed for more of the fantastical steampunk elements, gadgets and vehicles to grace the screen once again. Zai Yang and his wife seem to be on a mission to usurp leadership of the village for some dastardly reason, and much of the film's more emotional portions come from this father-son relationship, rather than from Lu Chan-Yu Niang as newlyweds trying to make sense of their marriage of convenience.

Villain wise, Eddie Peng returns to snarl a lot more on screen as Zijing, this time relying on the backing of the British East India Company's backing for him to assume a minor governor's role so that he has access to cannons and troops to lead the annihilation of the Chen village. But isn't this something we've already seen, and repeating it just isn't quite worthwhile, especially the unceremonious manner in dealing with this character. There's no clear cut, strong villain that's in Tai Chi Hero, which in turn makes Lu Chan's ascension quite hollow.

So I guess the sum of both films put together, only unfortunately averages it out, which is a pity, given the very light hearted fashion the narrative got presented, and the many fun elements and comedy being peppered around. It could have been a lot more should the story here be more focused, just as how Lu Chan is consistently reminded to be when dealing with formidable exponents, and balanced its more philosophical, dramatic moments with its action sequences.