Tai ji 2: Ying xiong jue qi

Yawn!- "Trying" to speed-read the Fast subtitles before they disappeared, distracted from watching the visuals! Nothing missed though, as this Boring/ nonsensical / "hard-to-follow" movie, just went on-and-on....

I took Karate for 15 years, and much of this floating... nonsense, turned me OFF!- At least Van Dammme/Segal/Jet Li/ Bruce Lee movies are believable! If you are into make-believe, then you just Might like it? I just don't understand the good reviews!?

BTW- I prefer even poor-dubbing to subtitles, as I can at least watch what is happening!

The Chinese Steam Punk Western is back with the same primitivist stance. What I find amusing is how a huge place like China can develop the same fairy tale as North Korea (and hundreds of other countries) of the victim of the "great powers".

It is the type of film, which although good, in less than 30 minutes I no longer know where it is going, or where I am, because I've completely dispersed myself, and let it roll by myself until I finish and leave for another more interesting one...

I saw a popular review with 1 star. What the hell are they watching this film for when the trailer is accurate and the film gives you so much more. Firstly if your a fan of Kung Fu Hustle or Dragon Tiger Gate or even The Storm Riders you will love these couple of films.

In short a martial arts village must survive against the evil steampunk death machines and armies who want to build a railway which would destroy the town.

The story is really secondary. It carries the film, but the effects, action, strong characters are flawless if you understand the genre. Most of it is quite unique and visionary while not compromising on the values of a good dramatised Kung Fu adventure. I mean it is really slick how they merge effects, big graphic overlays to convey action and humour which is really good. My only regret after watching them was that I never saw them in the cinema.

If you like Kung Fu films this must be one of the most rewarding films you will ever see. The vision made reality is really epic. It's an instant classic. Anything less than a 7 and you really shouldn't be watching this type of film as it is a near perfect master class. Crouching Tiger action. Subtle Kung Fu Hustle humour. Tarantino style. Sherlock Holmes steampunk. Main character is like Jet Li early years. AMAZING FILM

(1.) Great location - the type of natural carved canyon that makes the film a visual pleasure just on that alone. (2.) Great sets/props - the usual beautiful, authentic intricate carving and crafting found in Chinese epic films; often at full (and I mean full) scale. (3.) Great story line - bringing us a bit of the history of Tai Chi as it relates to Kung fu. (4.) Great contemporary tie ins - some classical pop music; then some metal or rock; then some computer game animations. A good spoofing, at times, of the martial arts genre e.g. with the fruits and veggies or when the moves were following the cooking style of each meal. Great steampunk tie in - why not. Great da Vinci tie in with regards to his design and innovations e.g. the flying machine. (5.) Great wire acts and martial arts - imaginative wire routines with Tai chi juxtaposed to Kung fu movements; nothing ridiculous just to fill space but instead used to educate as to the philosophy and aesthetic of the movements. (6.) Great acting -yet nuanced, understated performances in keeping with Tai chi philosophy.