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Tai Chi Zero

Tai Chi Zero

Action · Drama · 2012

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.

Movie details

Tai Chi Zero

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

2012 Action · Drama 1h 40m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.0 / 10

Community rating

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.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Tai Chi Zero?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Stephen Fung

Written by

Chen Kuofu · Cheng Hsiao-Tse · Zhang Jialu

Jayden Yuan

Jayden Yuan

The Freak

Fung Hak-On

Fung Hak-On

Lao Zhao

Stephen Fung

Stephen Fung

Nan

Shu Qi

Shu Qi

Mother Yang

Andrew Lau Wai-Keung

Andrew Lau Wai-Keung

Father Yang

Bruce Leung Siu-Lung

Bruce Leung Siu-Lung

Dong

AngelaBaby

AngelaBaby

Chen Yu Niang

Court is in session

Put Tai Chi Zero on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Cool Ironist

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.