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Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh, Cheung-Yan Yuen, Chin Siu Ho, Lau Shun ... see more see more... , Fannie Yuen

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 k... read more read more...ung 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, Rovi

Flixster Users

81% liked it

10,954 ratings

Critics

86% liked it

7 critics

R, 1 hr. 33 min.

Directed by: Woo-ping Yuen

Release Date: December 31, 1984

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DVD Release Date: February 24, 1998

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Stats: 527 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (527)


  • August 28, 2011
    Great action sequences from Yuen Woo Ping, the story jumps here and there but who cares. One of the bad guys uses people as human projectiles. That's very much ok in my book.
  • December 24, 2010
    Yuen Woo-ping packs it all in with Tai Chi Master.

    Moving along at a brisk pace, the 90 minute run time of this picture becomes a brief sit through. The story is simple and straightforward without getting overly detailed, and there is even some effective humor to top ev

    ... read moreerything off. Oh yeah, and then there is the martial arts.

    The action is the obvious highlight of the film and it comes in bunches with some vivacious editing, spectacular choreography, and an abundance of wire-work fighting. There are many scenes where the wires are visible, but in the grand scheme of things, this is a minor setback. The sound effects are inferior, but it works out nicely when it's all said and done.

    Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh, and Chin-Siu Ho not only carry this film by showcasing their martial arts, but they also put up enjoyable acting performances as well. Cheung-Yan Yuen joins the fun by providing most of the comic relief.

    Tai Chi Master has all the right pieces to become a highly recommendable martial arts film out of China. Check it out.

  • August 21, 2010
    Like many martial arts films, the fight scenes in this one could use some tasteful editing. There are many martial arts films that tend to overindulge in the fight sequences to the detriment of story flow. There is, however, only one Jet Li, so Li fans should never miss a chanc... read moree to see him do his thing, no matter how long the movie.
  • October 15, 2009
    My opinion is that Twin Warriors is a very good movie.The story is fascinating and the fighting style is great.Is also a good introduction in Tai Chi-a nice style.Jet Li has a very good presentation in this movie that's why i think is the best actor of martial arts that ever was.... read moreThe idea of becoming crazy to learn Tai Chi is also a great one.I think that crazy people have a clear mind and is true that u can learn one style in that time and make yourself healthy.My advice is to see this movie not once,many more times because it deserves it. Here u got a small commentary: "Jet Li was a monk in Shaolin. In a friendly competition for a higher place in Shaolin, he was betrayed and framed for using weapons (which cannot be used in the competition). He and his friend got kicked out of the Shaolin. They met rebellions at that time of China. His friend betrayed Jet Li and his rebellion friends for money from the China government. Jet Li went crazy and discovered the art of Tai Chi at the recover period. Revenge seem to the only thing he is going to do." So i'm sure you will like it.:)
  • December 23, 2006
    I love this martial-arts action, great fight choreography sequences with Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh together from beginning to end.
  • August 17, 2008
    Certainly one of the coolest kung-fu movies ever. This film is also known as Twin Warriors. Great martial arts, great tension among all characters.
  • February 14, 2010
    In America this has been re-released as Tai-Chi master and really takes Jet Li on a path rarely seen.
  • July 27, 2009
    AHHH hes kicking people at me!!! c,mon now... i dont like these types of movies flying in the air for 5 seconds while fighting not my thing. so fake and it looks so fake keep it out of my kung fu movie please.. But besides the flying.the action was great. worth a watch
  • April 21, 2009
    The story itself was not very interesting, but it was written in a humorous manor so it made it more bearable, but the fight sequences were great. Top notch kung fu film.
  • August 27, 2008
    I liked the chinese language version betteer than the nglish one. When they translate, it just sucks! View it in Chinese and put on the english sub-titles! Michelle and Jet make a great team!

Critic Reviews


Mike Barnard
April 28, 2010
Mike Barnard, Future Movies UK

To see Li in his prime, this is a must. Full Review

Fred Topel
July 14, 2003
Fred Topel, About.com

See the Hong Kong cut, "Tai Chi Master," for great martial arts and a story of brothers torn apart.

Marc Savlov
March 11, 2002
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle

Not the best thing to come out of Hong Kong in a while, but still a rouser. Full Review

Ryan Cracknell
January 1, 2000
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide

The action and stunts are spectacular and entertaining, but big time Jet Li fans will be ultimately disappointed with the dull and predictable story. Full Review

Derek Elley
February 23, 2012
Derek Elley, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
October 27, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Michael Szymanski
July 9, 2003
Michael Szymanski, Zap2it.com

No review available.

Nicolas Lacroix
November 12, 2002
Nicolas Lacroix, Showbizz.net

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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