First and foremost, please refrain from watching the dubbed version of this movie entitled “Twin Warriors“. Having the opportunity to screen both subbed and dubbed versions, I can tell you firsthand that there were quite a few problems with the English translations. I felt the dubbed version totally ruined the film’s comedic and dramatic value and found that it was actually frowned upon by many fans of the original title. Instead, watch this film in its original format. Its just so much better.

Tai Chi Master is one of Jet Li’s finest martial arts films. It will keep most audiences entertained throughout with its nonstop barrage of incredible action sequences mixed in with the perfect amount of drama and comedy.

Li stars as Junbao, a Shaolin Monk who trains throughout his life with one specific goal in mind: to help and protect those who are in need. His uncanny ability to grab hold of his audience backed by his amazing martial arts skills are on full display throughout the film. We also get a glimpse of a different side of Li with a bit of humor added to his character. Its actually a rare treat to see Li as a comic when most of the roles he portrays are somber ones. Michelle Yeoh also stars in this film and plays rebel leader Siu Lin. Her character compliments Li’s quite well and her martial arts abilities are so graceful and fluid that you can’t help but take notice.

If you are a martial arts fan and you haven’t seen this film yet, then you have truly missed Jet Li at his best. It is definitely a collectors piece and now has a place on my shelf alongside other classic films including, Enter the Dragon, Fists of Fury, Snake in the Monkey’s Shadow, Iron Monkey, and The 5 Deadly Venoms.

Synopsis:

Hong Kong star Jet Li portrays the inventor of T’ai Chi in this entertaining if not historically accurate martial-arts movie. Junbao (Li) and Tienbao (Chin Siu-Ho) are a pair of young monks studying kung fu in a Shaolin temple. Junbao is balanced and humble, but Tienbao is competitive and eager to advance. The two are wrongfully accused of cheating during a tournament and are expelled. From there they take radically different paths. Tienbao becomes a mercenary for an evil warlord, and Junbao joins a rebel group led by Michelle Yeoh. Tienbao betrays Junbao; Junbao loses his memory in the resulting fight. While recuperating, he develops the graceful T’ai Chi fighting style. Although many may find the cartoonish, acrobatic fight sequences to be campy, they are elaborate and dazzling. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, All Movie Guide

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