Action movies tend to serve as star vehicles for the hero or heroes in the middle of it all. Martial arts movies do much the same, but where a Schwarzenegger film celebrates the Austrian Oak's muscle definition, a Bruce Lee outing showcases his incredible skills. This has led both to become rather personality-driven. Lesser-known stars don't always get their spotlight. Keanu Reeves helped give Tiger Chen an international stage in Man of Tai Chi.
Beyond most other genres, martial arts movies have some built-in tolerance for generic plotlines. A decent percentage of examples use a fighting tournament. It's played out, but it gets the combatants where they need to be quick and clean. It works for almost every fighting game. The go-to format seems to get the job done every time.
What is Man of Tai Chi about?
Tiger Hu Chen grew up in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, where he studied traditional martial arts. He became an award-winning martial artist after joining the Sichuan Wushu Team at age 18. A year later, he moved to Gloucester Township, New Jersey. He taught Tai Chi in a shopping plaza and lived in a small wooden shack behind the structure. Chen met Hong Kong action film legend Yuen Woo-ping during his time in the States and convinced him to take him as a student. His timing was excellent, as the Wachowskis quickly discovered Yuen and hired him to choreograph fight scenes for The Matrix. Chen worked as an assistant, choreographer, and stunt performer. He met and befriended Keanu Reeves, who would help him to get more prominent roles in the two sequels. Reeves found Chen's stories so moving that he decided to turn them into his directorial debut. With Yuen in tow, Keanu directed his dear friend Tiger's story in Man of Tai Chi.
Tiger Chen stars as Tiger Chen Linhu, a dedicated but financially destitute Tai Chi student. Tiger receives an offer from Donaka Mark (Reeves), a reclusive aristocrat who hosts an underground fighting tournament for the enjoyment of his fellow rich folks. Tiger initially refuses Mark's request, but when government officials threaten to demolish his beloved temple, he is forced to compromise his honor and fight for cash. Tiger earns enough money to fix the temple and improve his life, but his fighting style becomes more brutal with each opponent. Tiger must choose between the money he can earn in these gladiatorial competitions and the honor he used to hold dear. It's a simple Faustian deal, enhanced with several excellent fight scenes.
Did Keanu Reeves direct any other movies?
In short, no. Reeves' directorial debut didn't go terribly well. The film was made on a relatively small budget of $25 million. Unfortunately, it bombed at the box office, raking in only $5.5 million. It was released in November 2013, on the same day as Free Birds, Ender's Game, and Last Vegas. One week later, Thor: The Dark World hit theaters and earned $644.8 million. Critics were divided on Man of Tai Chi. It consistently ranks among lists of Keanu Reeves' best films. Most negative comments on the project focus on its generic central premise. The film isn't an homage to other classic entries in the genre. It's just extraordinarily similar to any given martial arts film from the 80s. Some have framed that as a good thing, while others considered it a weakness. Man of Tai Chi is Keanu Reeves' only project as director. He's acted as an executive producer on many films and shorts but never stepped back into the director's chair. When asked whether he'd try again, he expressed excitement and clarified he'd need a suitably inspiring project.
For his part, Tiger Chen has remained in the industry in the decade since Man of Tai Chi came out. In 2015, Chen appeared in Chen Kaige's Monk Comes Down the Mountain. He appeared in Chinese films like Revenge of Gold and the Kung Fu Traveler series. In 2019, Tiger Chen, Tony Jaa, and Iko Uwais appeared in Triple Threat, a film entirely sold on their martial arts credibility as a trio. And, of course, Chen has continued to work with Keanu Reeves. In John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, he appears as an unnamed Triad member. Chen's latest film role pits him against Neo after 18 years for a brief appearance in The Matrix Resurrections. Interestingly, his character in that film is credited as M.O.T.C., a clear reference to their most in-depth collaboration.
Man of Tai Chi is a fun and fascinating martial arts film. It becomes even more enjoyable to those who know the story behind it. The long friendship between Keanu Reeves and Tiger Chen is extremely charming, especially for a movie star famous for his ever-present kindness. Chen has been with Reeves since the late 90s, and it's a joy to see him get an international spotlight and a dramatization of his own story. Man of Tai Chi is worth a watch for its backstory alone.