“Man Of Tai Chi” is a criminally underrated martial arts movie. It completely bombed at the box-office and seems to even get ignored by many martial arts film fans. Few films feature fight scenes as intense and spectacular as this.

Tiger Chen (“Triple Threat”) plays a Tai Chi student determined to show that his abilities can be applied to fighting and not just exercise. His impressive performance at a public competition gets the attention of the shady Donaka Mark (Keanu Reeves “The Matrix”, “Speed”). Now, Chen is offered substantial money to take part in underground fighting where there are no rules. He’s initially reluctant but when his temple his threatened with closure, he’ll do whatever it takes. As he continues to fight, his discipline and ideals begin to drift away.

Tiger Chen is simply spectacular. He’s likeable and his martial arts abilities are just great. He actually looks an awful lot like Stephen Chow in “Kung Fu Hustle” here; I wouldn’t be surprised if that was intentional. Reeves does appear in the movie but don’t expect him to see tons of him. This movie is actually the first film directed by Reeves. He’s smart enough to know that Chen can carry the movie without the need for Reeves to dominate. Reeves is good here as the villain. The other fighters include Iko Uwais (“The Raid”).

“Man Of Tai Chi” features some truly brutal fight sequences and while it’s story is simplistic, it is engaging. Reeves clearly understands and loves martial arts cinema and the mysticism and philosophy of the Far East. Chen worked as a choreographer on “The Matrix” films and is friends with Reeves. I’m just so impressed with the action that I’m reminded of other great martial arts movies such as “Ip Man” and “Fist Of Legend”. This movie offers plenty of action and surprisingly good drama. If you like fighting movies, you simply have to see this.