HELLLOOOO everyone! Yes it has been a very long time indeed! This blog is so
dusty that I can practically see dust bunnies hopping around... *cough cough*
SO as a quick spring cleaning process for this blog, let's start off with a
movie review of one of the most interesting Chinese movies of this season-
Taichi 0 (zero)
I have been a fan of Chinese kung fu movies for as long as I can remember~
The epic movie series 'Wong Fei Hung' was the spark of it all! All the super cool
moves, the action and the unique character creation were enough to drive this
Chinese movie junkie nuts!!! A few years ago my mom introduced to another movie
called 'Shaolin' featuring Andy Lau and Nicholas Tse (one of my all time
favourite actors :D weee). This movie reignited that love for kung fu action in
movies to a higher level (probably the highest!!) not because of the
killer-rific action but because it had a great storyline to the movie as well.
The movie I'm about to introduce in this review shares this attribute of
'Shaolin' but with a more comical side to the storylines.
Taichi Zero is not your average kung fu blockbuster~ It has a comic side, a
game side (those that you can find in RPGs and fighting games like Street
Fighter) and a romance side too~ The places in the movie were introduced using
those 'on-screen' naming techniques which are used in maps for RPGs. The post
office was labeled the 'post office' in the movie itself, not as a map, but
when the post office came into the screen! All the places and characters were
introduced the same unique way~
The fighting scenes were exactly like those in combat games! It included the
character's life gauge and a KO statement in the end when the hero got beaten
up~ Very clever technique really~ Who would have thought to incorporate the
gaming experience into a kung fu movie!? That is what I call creative
ingenuity!
In terms of storyline, this movie caught me at the very beginning itself!
The war which was then followed by the historical introduction of the main
character was so cleverly intertwined that I just has to remain in my seat
(despite the rising urge to go to the loo~) It was thrilling, funny and sad at
the same time! I applaud movie beginnings that give me a mix of emotions!
The undying determination of the main star Lu Chan (played by Yuan Xiaochao)
in search for the Chen style kung fu master is truly praiseworthy~ Viewers may
find Lu Chan's character rather bimbotic and annoying at first, but his naive
personality is cute and endearing once the story progresses. Oh did I forget to
mention that he has this special 'horn' on his right forehead??? This horn
looks like a mini devil horn, which gives Lu Chan the special ability to learn
kung fu or should I say mimic it, at very fast rates! You could say that this
horn is a gift from Kung Fu Heaven~ it's a very rare gift and it is normally
attained by individuals. Lu Chan's was on his forehead since birth, a sign that
he is in for greater things in life~ (kung fu wise~)
The story's love parts were rather mixed up at first~ As usual the hero of
the story does not attain that love at first sight moment with his soul mate to
be, Yu Niang (palyed by Angelababy). In fact the actress has another love fancy
at first, her fiancee since birth Fang Zijing. But as Fang transgresses to the
'evil' side, love between these two lovebirds ends rather abruptly... In fact
this Fang Ziying guy has another love interest while he studied abroad; the
British military representative Claire. Tsk tsk tsk~ shame on you Fang Ziying!
:p
Taichi Zero's multiple character focus is quite confusing at
first but viewers would get the hang of it as the story progresses further into
the main plots. The characters of the movie comprises of the uncle labourer,
mahjong lady fighter, the young feisty girl with pigtails, tofu warrior, uncles
of many generations, cousins, brothers and more~ Each character has their own
unique kung fu style and character in the movie~ It is enjoyable to watch both
the main character as well as the side casts due to this colourful blend of
village personalities~
Kung fu in Taichi Zero is not the HIT HIT KILL style of kung fu~ In fact
kung fu is displayed in a rather smooth and peaceful kind of art that takes
lots of practice, skill and patience! The fighting scenes in this movie was not
too bloody either... in fact now that I recall it... it isn't boody at all...
During the final battle scene ( I know this may lead to spoilers~), the kung fu
experts of the Chen village used VEGETABLES to fight off their enemies whom
were equipped with GUNS! Imagine that! VEGGIES vs GUNS! Now kids, please don't
underestimate the veggies on your plate! They are hard hitting stuff that can
break jaws and bones! Ouch indeed! This unique portrayal of a battle was
entertaining and hilarious at the same time; making this movie hit a 5 star
rating on my movies list in 2012.
I hope I have not provided you guys with too much spoilers~ I truly loved
this movie as a whole and there is just so many things I would love to say
about it! But I'm keeping a quarter of the things I wanted to tell to myself so
that you can watch and enjoy this movie for yourselves to find out! So what are
you waiting for~! Rampage those movie cinemas and watch Taichi 0!!!! A movie
filled with comical and gaming entertainment for all~
