Tai Chi II (which bears no relation to any other movie despite the Roman numerals in the title) came out towards the ends of the wire-fu fad, and has been labeled as a cheap attempt to make a last bit of cash from the genre. In fact, really the only reason a lot of gweilos might have seen it is that Tai Seng released it in the US after Yuen Woo-Ping hit it big following his work on The Matrix. Tai Chi II does have a bit of a generic vibe to it, but ultimately, it's a pretty decent wire-fu picture. The plot has Jacky Wu as the resident kung fu rascal being held down by his domineering dad who eventually uses his formidable kung fu skills to impress a comely lass (Christy Chung) while stopping a group of opium smugglers led by the mandatory evil gweilo (played by Darren Shahlavi in this instance).

The basic plot is bland to say the least, and it doesn't help matters any that the particulars are lifted from other movies. There's the stern dad and wiscracking mom from Drunken Master 2, there's the love interest that's Chinese but has Western mannerisms from Once Upon a Time in China, and so on. The action also seems a bit derivative as well. In particular, once again Once Upon a Time in China is referenced in the gravity-defying finale.

But, hey, this is Yuen Woo-Ping heading the proceedings here, so the action's top-notch. The movie's low budget hurts the fights in parts, as wires are visbile in several shots during the film, but overall, this is really tight stuff. Even the gimmick of Jacky using his queue (long hair braid) as a weapon (which could have easily turned cheesy) was pulled off with some style. The action can't totally forgive the sometimes cruddy and overly-syrupy exposition scenes, but it does make them bearable.

Tai Chi II isn't the most mind-blowing movie you're likely to see. However, for die-hard fight fanatics, it's much better than yet another trip to the new release shelf at your local video store. Even a slightly above average HK action movie from this time is much better than a lot of the so-called "blockbusters" being put out nowadays.

Made long after the popularity of 'new wave' kung fu films had waned, 'Tai Chi Boxer' seemed a strange choice of film for the new Film Can Production Ltd film company. Not surprisingly the film performed poorly at the box office with a theatrical run lasting only a week but this should not be taken as any indication as to the quality of the film, or to the skill of the leading player; Jackie Wu. Rather the tastes of Hong Kong audiences had moved on and, like fellow mainlander Chiu Man Cheuk, Jackie was later forced to turn to tv roles to further his career. However he recently had a cameo appearance in Tsui Hark's 'Legend of Zu' (in what was surely the film's high point) and will soon be seen on the big screen again in Lau Kar Leung's forthcoming 'Drunken Monkey' (for which I have very high hopes) so perhaps a change in fortune is just around the corner.

Set at the end of the 19th century, 'Tai Chi Boxer' retreads ground made familiar by works such as 'Once Upon A Time In China' with a plot based around westerners attempting to exploit the Chinese market for opium but finding their plans thwarted by the upstanding hero. In fact 'Tai Chi Boxer' has for more in common with OUATIC than with 'Tai Chi Master' although its budget is far more limited than either of those two works. With that in mind its certainly impressive that Yuen Woo Ping can create such an entertaining and lively picture, with numerous expensive looking fight scenes, on a small amount of money. Jackie Wu plays the son of a tai chi master who learns kung fu, against his father's wishes, which he uses to thwart the villainous gwailos. He also meets and falls in love with western educated Rose (Christy Chung), fiancee to a government official who believes Jacky to be a rebel and whose brother is in cahoots with the opium smugglers.

While the plot might seem rather familiar the story is enriched by the colourful characters all ably played by a strong cast. Jackie Wu was obviously given the role on the strength of his martial arts abilities but he handles the acting well and gives his character an air of innocence and youthful exhuberance. Sibelle Hu appears in one of her later roles as Jackie's mother and provides some comic relief. Christy Chung is obviously there to provide some glamour but again, despite not being given any action scenes, shows she is more than just a wallflower with another spirited performance.

The film is filled from the start with some excellent fight scenes and although there is a fair amount of wirework it never detracts from the skill of the performers. Neither does the undercranking which in this case enhances the rythmn of the fight sequences. Yuen Woo Ping managed to assemble a skillful cast (aside from Jackie Wu) including Billy Chow, Yue Hoi (best known from the Shaolin Temple series of the eighties which starred Jet Li) and British stuntman Darren Shahlavi (who plays the film's main villain) and the film is certainly not lacking in the quality of the fights. While they might not have the polish of some of Yuen Woo Ping's other works, due to a tighter budget and shooting schedules, they are worthwhile nevertheless. If the film had been made a few years earlier Jackie Wu could have easily been a star to rival Jet Li; the film certainly shows off his talents well and those of his co-stars too.

A mischievous young master of Tai Chi, played by Jacky Wu, is always getting into trouble and fights, much to the dismay of his strict father, played by Yue Hoi who you will remember from Jet Li's Shaolin Temple films ( he was once the real life bodyguard to Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai!). Bored with his strict lifestyle, Jacky visits a local lion dance festival and instantly falls for a beautiful revolutionary, played by Christy Chung. But he also gets into a fight and in trouble with local officials. He finds out that corrupt Government officers, together with evil English merchants, are trying to flood the Chinese market with deadly opium.After Jacky is wrongly framed for the murder of his rival for Christy Chung's affection, he must set out to clear himself, his families name and destroy the Opium.

Star Jacky Wu equips himself well in the leading role, showing a boyish charm reminiscent of a young Jackie Chan. Quite why he never went on to star in more films is a mystery because he obviously has talent and skill. Billy Chow puts in another great performance as Northern Leg King. He challenges Jacky's Father, who wants to retire, to see who is the best martial artist, and when defeated keeps coming back for more.

The action scenes are up to the usual high standard set by Woo Ping, but here there is less reliance on wirework which is refreshing and lets us see the real skill of the actors. The film was shot entirely in mainland China and the locations and production values are very good. This has been released on dvd in America by Tai Seng, and is also to get a release, hopefully soon by Hong Kong Legends in the UK, under the title Tai Chi Boxer.

...Overall:
Tai Chi II is a classic martial arts film that is a joy to watch. The film is so much fun I really can’t adequately describe it. Suffice it to say, if you enjoyed any of the titles namely, The Bride with White Hair, you will definitely enjoy this film. If I could a liken it to another martial arts film, I would lean towards Once upon a Time in China. Solely for action sequences, this film is very similar to Tai Chi II. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and know that if you love Wire-Fu flicks, this one needs to be in your collection as well! Due to its lack of extras and it’s generally poor transfer I can’t highly recommend it but I can recommend it so in the words of Monty Python...there it is.

As was said previously, 'Tai Chi 2' bares little resemblence to the superb 'Tai Chi Master'. In fact the film has more in common with 'Fong Sai Yuk' than anything else; the mother/son dynamic is very similar as is the very stern father figure who presides over the household. Jackie Wu's hero also displays some of the same characteristics as Jet Li did in 'Fong Sai Yuk' i.e. the fun-loving, superfighting protagonist who has one eye on love and one on heroism. Again though, this is a new-wave film that simply doesn't figure in the same league as 'Fong Sai Yuk' either. Nonetheless this is a very entertaining and worthwhile watch for all fight fans. Yuen Woo Ping's choreography may not be as good as in 'Iron Monkey', but there are still enough reasons to recommend the combat scenes in this production. Jackie Wu proves to be a very capable performer who performs his moves with real style. Although his physicality naturally overshadows his acting skills, he still gives a good account of himself.

'Tai Chi 2' features an average plot and some unnecessary over-the-top moments, but is a decent effort that usually earns little attention from Hong Kong film fans. It lacks the polish of Yuen Woo Ping's numerous other classics, however it acquires a charm of its own. A very strong three star rating, verging very close to a four.

Jacky gains the admiration of a young female rebel (Christy Chung) by doing so and even helps cure her father's drug addiction. Jacky falls in love with the girl but unfortunately she is engaged to an officer. The officer and Jacky battle for her love. Later, the officer is found dead and Jacky is accused of the murder. He must escape the police with the help of his father and find the real culprits, a band of powerful drug smugglers...

This movie is similar to Iron Monkey, also directed by Yuen Woo Ping, but was filmed on a lower budget and features a weaker cast. The fight scenes feature a lot of over the top wire stunts, which Ping is known for, but are cool regardless. TAI CHI 2 is a light hearted movie with many comical moments and entertaining battles.

"Tai Chi 2" opens up with Hawk-Man's father retiring from the world of martial arts so that he can live in seclusion and raise his son. Hawk-Man, or Jackie as he is later named, is forced to spend hours locked in the study, tied to the ceiling by his ponytail. Of course, being the precocious little scamp that he is, he secretly learns kung fu and gets in all sorts of trouble as he grows up to become a fine young man. One day, he catches the eye of Rose, the beautiful daughter of a local official who has returned from studying abroad.

But it seems like our little Rose is quite the political revolutionary, attempting to institute democracy in China. Completely smitten with her, Jackie (aka Hawk-Man) goes along with their plans, and gets caught up in an opium-smuggling scheme. Add to that the fact that "Great Kick Of The North", a former adversary of his father's, comes back itching for a fight, and it's almost more than a young lovestruck tai chi master can handle.

Fortunately, Jackie's got an ace up his sleeve; his ponytail. It seems that all of those years of being hung from the ceiling has turned that braid into a powerful weapon! Welcome to the wonderful world of Hong Kong cinema, my friends, where belief has to be suspended at every turn. I have to admit that part of me finds the whole concept of Jackie beating up his enemies with his ponytail kind of cool. If only Steven Seagal were that lucky; instead, he has to use his gut (and DMX's coattails).

But the whole movie smacks of a "Once Upon A Time In China" rip-off. The primary themes are still the same; China dealing with foreigners and the corruption they bring, the introduction of new ideas into an ages-old civilization, and whatnot. And it still comes across as a poor imitation of Woo-Ping's other films, including the spectacular "Iron Monkey". "Tai Chi 2" runs nearly 2 hours, which is about 30 minutes too long. A lot of people seem to complain about the romantic subplot; it's a little tiresome, but it's not all that annoying. But one can only take so much of the smugness and youthful ego that Jackie has throughout the film. I thought tai chi masters were supposed to be a little more reserved. Then again, if I knew how to use the "Braid Stance", I'm sure I'd be a little cocky too.

Not entirely bad, but nowhere near as good as Woo-Ping's better stuff, ie. "Iron Monkey" and "Fist Of Legend". On the overall Woo-Ping-O-Meter, this one ranks right below "Wing Chun", and if you've seen "Wing Chun", you know what that means.