Tai Chi Zero (Blu-ray Review)
Director
Stephen FungRelease Date(s)
2012 (February 25, 2026)Studio(s)
H. Brothers Media Corp. (Imprint Asia/Via Vision Entertainment)- Film/Program Grade: B+
- Video Grade: B+
- Audio Grade: B+
- Extras Grade: C
Review
[Editor’s Note: This is a Region-Free Australian Blu-ray release.]
Set during China’s High Qing dynasty period (1662 – 1795), Tai Chi Zero is an attempt to make the recreational martial art employed by many an elderly person, super cool for the younger and hipper generations. Told in a hyper-stylized wuxia meets Scott Pilgrim vs. the World style, all manga and video games with pop-up titles and thought balloons here and there. Directed by Stephen Fung, the film follows Lu Chan a young kung fu prodigy with a growth on his head called a Three Blossoms on the Crown. Lu Chan is a secret weapon for the rebel army against the Emperor who learns that his use of the Three Blossoms will lead to him soon dying and the only thing that will save him is mastery of the inner martial art—Tai Chi. Created by the Chen family in an isolated town high in the mountains and then known as Chen Style Kung Fu, it is forbidden to be taught to outsiders, and Lu Chan finds this out after travelling to the village. Pretty much everyone in the village tells him he can’t be taught, but Lu Chan is as stubborn as a mule and he insists, up until he has his ass handed to him by the Grandmaster’s daughter Yu Niang, as well as a little girl and a tofu salesman. Unbeknownst to the villagers, Yu Niang’s betrothed has returned to the village with plans to bring through a railroad bringing the West to their front door—and he’s not willing to take no for an answer. Will Lu Chan learn Tai Chi? Where in the world is Grandmaster Chan? Can the railroad be stopped? All this and more will be answered when you watch Imprint Asia’s release of Tai Chi Zero.
Tai Chi Zero is fun, but because it was shot back-to-back with its sequel Tai Chi Hero, it purposely stops dead mid-story and Imprint Asia hasn’t chosen to release that film on disc at this time, so you’re left with a case of cinematic blue balls, which is a major bummer. I could chase down the Well Go USA version, but that doesn’t really help the initial viewing experience. It’s like the movie stops and you’re left looking around going, what—that’s it? And for now, yeah, that’s it. I’m not going to knock it down points for that, but I didn’t have a warning before starting this film—so now you, dear reader, are more prepared. I enjoyed what I watched, it was fast paced, well-acted by a veritable who’s who ensemble cast and staged/choreographed incredibly. If Tai Chi Hero comes out from Imprint, I’ll circle back and let you know if it’s better or worse taken in as a duology.
Imprint Asia’s edition of this film isn’t meant to replace the prior Well Go USA (Region A) edition if you have that already, it’s a 2.35:1 presentation in 1080p high-def and it serves the film well. It’s crisp, clear and has good color balance. Sound is Mandarin DTS-HD 5.1 Surround and LPCM 2.0 Stereo, both are good and the English subs are clean—although a little fast for my slowpoke reading style. Ya gotta be fast to read some of these. Extras are a light Behind the Zenes EPK featurette and the film’s trailer (TrailerZ). I enjoyed this one enough that I may end up hunting down the sequel just to know where this adventure takes me. But for a start, Tai Chi Zero satisfies.
- Todd Doogan