Review in Pictures: Tai Chi Hero

From Zero to Hero- Chinese Guy!  Today's film is the follow-up to Tai Chi Zero, an Import film that I really liked.  It was a fun, action-packed Comedy that played with the Genre in interesting ways.  It had amusing Credits, introducing the Actors on-screen when they first appear in the film.  The film tells the tale of a young man with a powerful gift.  Unfortunately, said gift causes him serious issues and will ultimately lead to his death.  Desperate, he tracks down Chen Village and tries to learn their Kung-Fu.  They don't exactly want to teach strangers their style, so he has to help save them to earn their trust.  I give you this recap, but the film itself does a great job of it too.  Hero picks up right where the last film ended and the threat has not exactly gone away.  With an Army knocking at their door, can our Zero master the skills needed to save the day AND get the girl?  Family drama, flying machines and funky kung-fu are on the menu today.  To get a glimpse of this film, it's time for a Review in Pictures...

Mysterious forces are plotting against the Village.  New technology is on the rise.  Can our Zero become the Hero of Chen Village?

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An enemy returns.  He's got a lot of big, mean guns on his side.  Can our heroes survive, even if they unite?

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Our hero must run a literal gamut of Masters to succeed.  Can he be the last Hero standing?

Oh and the Ending- which I won't SPOIL- sets up something freaky for another Sequel.  Bring it on, Peter Stormare!  The End.

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It's insanity- sign me up!  While less wacky than the first film, Hero is still pretty strange.  Any film in which a black bump makes you go crazy is strange.  Any film in which people fight Armies with Kung-Fu and a Flying Machine is strange.  Any film in which Peter Stormare appears alongside an otherwise Asian Cast is certainly strange!  The film's plot is a bit different than the first one, but still quite good.  You can really see our hero grow from a talented fool to a wise warrior.  The introduction of the Brother adds some good conflict and it was nice of them to finally explain why the Village is wary of training outsiders.  The action and Production Values are the best parts.  While he doesn't appear in the film, the key player is Sammo Hung.  Why?  Well, he's the Action Director here.  Good show, Martial Law!   If you like the crazy, this is highly-recommended.  If you can get your hands on Zero and Hero, they'd make for a good Double-Feature.  It's still a shorter watch than Red Cliff (although, that is five and a half hours well spent)!  If you don't trust me, take Peter Stormare's word for it!

Next up, a look at a Rare Flick that I managed to get my hands on recently.  Will I be happy to finish up the series or just wish that it was only available in German still?  Stay tuned...