Tag Archives: brothers

The Tai Chi Master

(1993, HK, Eastern Productions)

Dir. Yuen Woo-ping; Pro. Jet Li Lian-jie; Scr. Kim Yip Kwong-kim; Action Dir. Yuen Woo-ping, Yuen Cheung-yan; Cast Jet Li Lian-jie, Chin Siu-ho, Michelle Yeoh Chu-kheng, Fannie Yuen Kit-ying, Yuen Cheung-yan, Lau Shun, Yu Hai

96 min.

Jet Li and Chin Siu-ho play lifelong buddies born and bred the Shaolin way until Chin is expelled for harming a student. Jet continues to help his brother in the secular world, eventually crossing the path of Michelle Yeoh who plays the leader of a rebel force set to bring down an evil eunuch. Jet sides with the rebels and Chin enrols in the military, rising quickly to become lieutenant. A sword scrap between Jet and Chin leaves our hero mildly insane, becoming a kung fu idiot and an expert in Taoist ways. Luckily he invents the soft tai chi style in time to combat his former friend in a thrilling bloodbath finale. Colourful and good natured, this is a pleasant watch and rewarding throughout.

AKA: Twin Warriors

No Retreat, No Surrender 3: Blood Brothers

(1990, US/HK, Seasonal Films)

Dir. Lucas Lo; Pro. Ng See-yuen; Scr. Keith W. Strandberg; Action Dir. Tony Leung Siu-hung; Cast Loren Avedon, Keith Vitali, Joseph Campanella, Wanda Acuna, Luke Askew, Rion Hunter, David Michael Sterling, Mark Russo.

92 min.

Ng See-yuen’s third instalment is atrociously wooden, but at least it’s a B movie with character. The hard-hitting fight scenes are a saving grace, with impressive athletic performances from a gweilo cast who prove themselves to be more than adequate at handling the pace of HK action. The revenge story has nothing to do with the previous movies, as the Alexander brothers (Avedon and Vitali) vow to track down the killers of their retired CIA father. Their quest takes them to Florida and more specifically Franco (Hunter), bleach-haired ringleader of a top brand of international terrorists. Expect some macho buddy crap and a whole heap of well choreographed fighting, the best being a two-on-one finale in an aircraft hanger.

AKA: Karate Tiger 3; Blood Brothers