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Poster for Tai Chi Zero

Tai Chi Zero

See the extraordinary life of founder of the Yang style Tai Chi.

2012 · 1h 40m · PG-13 Action, Drama
Directed by Stephen Fung

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Overview

In legendary Chen Village, everyone is a martial arts master, using their powerful Chen Style Tai Chi in all aspects of their lives. Lu Chan has arrived to train, but the villagers are forbidden to teach Chen Style to outsiders, and do their best to discourage him by challenging him to a series of fights. Everyone, from strong men to young children, defeats him using their Tai Chi moves. But when a man from the village's past returns with a frightening steampowered machine and plans to build a railroad through the village at any costs, the villagers realize they may have no choice but to put their faith in Lu Chan... who has a secret power of his own.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
62%
Tomatometer
Rotten

"Tai Chi Zero" is often more distracting than diverting with its everything-goes aesthetic - there are strains of steampunk, manga and silent film comedy, with video-game touches.

Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times
Fresh

"Tai Chi Zero" is loads of fun to watch, especially a battle in which watermelons, bananas and other fruits and veggies serve as flying weapons.

V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Fresh

A martial-arts adventure with more video-game and comic-book DNA than the traditional kung fu flick, "Tai Chi Zero" is good, if empty-headed, fun.

Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
Rotten

Exhausting to watch, Tai Chi Zero is all flash and little substance.

Linda Barnard, Toronto Star
Fresh

"Zero" is the first part of a trilogy. Part two, titled "Tai Chi Hero," is due in January. The legend is off to a promising start.

Soren Anderson, Seattle Times

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