Tai-Chi Master
Seen it?1993 | 96 min | Action, Comedy, Drama, Thriller
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (83% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing, anyone who wants a laugh and action fans. If you loved Escape from New York or Blood Diamond, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart, tense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 36 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- It's in Cantonese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
Falsely accused for cheating in a martial arts competition, two boyhood friends are banished from their Shaolin Temple and go their separate ways. As adults, they join opposing sides in a civil war. When one betrays the other, they settle their differences mano-a-mano.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
83% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$13 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 43K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
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Weeknight WatchAnother martial arts drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Escape from New York
Saturday SpecialAnother martial arts action film, and a Saturday Special.
The Substitute Weeknight WatchAnother action film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III
Monday Morning MaybeAnother martial arts action comedy. Fair warning: it's a Monday Morning Maybe.
Blood Diamond Saturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Yuen Woo-Ping
- Jet LiZhang Jun Bao
- Michelle YeohSnow
- Chin Siu-HoDong Tian Bao
- Fennie Yuen Kit-yingLittle Melon
- Yu HaiHead Master
- Yuen Cheung-yanTaoist Priest Ling
- Lau ShunBao's Sifu
- Chow Gam-KongRebel
- Sun JiankuiRoyal Eunuch Liu Jin
- Ho Wing-CheungRascal