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Twin Warriors (Tai Chi Master) 6.2 out of 10

Starring: Jet Li

This movie stars the famous Jet Li in a role as a Shaolin Monk that, with his friend, are evicted from residence in the Shaolin monastery because of their rebellious nature. They find that there is some interest in their skills when they get out into the city. When they are trying to make some money using their skills, Jet’s friend is lead off by the promise of riches, but Jet refuses. Eventually, the estranged friend becomes a tyrannical military general. Jet’s character teams up with some other martial artists (one of them Michelle Yeoh). When he is forced to face his friend in battle, he has a breakdown, which leads him to the Tai Chi circular style that he ultimately uses to defeat his now-evil friend.

To tell the truth, I liked this movie in some respects. But, if you’re looking for any really good martial arts, this is not the place. Directed by Yeun Woo Ping, this movie has more pulleys than I’ve seen in any other movie, it’s really unbelievable. I was really disappointed, both the co-author of this site and I agree that pulleys have no place in martial arts movies. What I mean by pulleys is the martial arts sequences that have the actors jumping ridiculously high and hanging in the air for 30 seconds. I think that such skilled athletes could produce a much more impressive scene if they used their skills instead of hanging from wires.

I SUGGEST YOU WATCH FOR: There is one point that Jet Li knocks one of his opponents to the floor, then does a diving headbutt onto their abdomen…. Then proceeds to bounce (albeit by his head) onto another opponent. I don’t mention it because it was cool, it was shameful actually, you’ll have to see this!

THE BEST FIGHT: If you like pulleys, you’ll like them all. The only really worthwhile martial arts sequence is at the beginning when the two friends spar with the brooms. It is pretty well done, and pulley free.

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