Fred Topel reviewed Man of Tai Chi for CraveOnline. Mr. Topel strts the review off with:
With Man of Tai Chi, I think Reeves has achieved Bruce Lee’s vision for Game of Death. It is an ascending tower of martial arts displays, escalating combatants for the hero but still conveying the true message of martial arts. That’s what Bruce Lee was making when he died, and of all people to succeed him, it was the Matrix guy.
With respect to Keanu Reeves’ camera shots, Mr Topel says:
Reeves keeps the camera as close as it needs to be and as far back as we want it to be, cut with a forward momentum so that each shot flows into the next.
Mr. Topel is the first I think, to appreciate Chen Hu saying:
Thank you, Keanu Reeves, for seeing that Tiger Chen was amazing and needed his own vehicle to showcase his skills. …He is magnetic, engaging and badass.
On Mr. Reeves’ direction bility, the author said:
…Reeves has created a film world that is more visceral than narrative. In simplifying the dialogue, the film can give more focus to the feelings of the narrative than the basic plot. If the adage is “show, don’t tell,” then Man of Tai Chi takes it another level, saying, “Feel, don’t show.”
The review is a good read and Mr. Topel gave it an 8/10.
Note: Man of Tai Chi is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. It was nice to see a review from someone who actually watch the film and reviewed what was presented on the screen rather than griping about what they thought should have been on the screen.