"Tai Chi 1" brought the concept of "weird martial arts" to the screen, using traditional models in the story routine, subversive innovation in style packaging, incorporating animation, video games, punk, rock, etc., to create a kind of Weird but endearing overall tone. As the male protagonist, the eccentric Yang Luchan mainly pretends to be silly and cute, supplemented by Er Lengzi's lines, and relies on a lot of supporting roles to support the whole table. The two films were shot in a row in one breath, and there was only a month before and after the release time. Putting aside the powerful backstage of Huayi, it is quite remarkable for a young Hong Kong director to have such a posture and courage. Personally, I think "Tai Chi 1" is a bit big, and it breaks the tradition straight away. It makes people worry about whether it will become unbearable after just inertia. Fortunately, "Tai Chi 2" took back the heart, and used "weird" as an embellishment. The collocation of other elements was also accepted, and the chassis was solidly stabilized. The style is always just the packaging, and the focus is always the story. Feng Delun is still a bit old-fashioned about the scale. Of course, let's not mention Chen Guofu behind him.
The trend of domestic martial arts is exhausted, and everyone must know it. Hong Kong directors who went north to test the waters flooded into the mainland market, trying to make money, but also want to bring the essence of Hong Kong movies. It's a pity that they can't stop the low tide and decline, and the directors with strong style have turned to the mainland one after another. Integration is the goal, but in fact it ended in compromise, which makes people feel really chilling. I was still Feng Delun in "Furong Out of Water", but this time I call myself the director, and I didn't like his idea at first. "Tai Chi 1" was a big hit at the box office, and the word of mouth was also well-received. For him, this achievement should be considered very commendable. The storytelling skills are weak, the running account method, and where you go, this is the characteristic of the first part. When it comes to "Tai Chi 2", the "big brother" played by Feng Shaofeng is explained in great detail. If it weren't for the positioning of his character's own abilities, it would almost be a distraction. The first half, which is highly suspected of stealing the show, just makes up for the weak link of "Tai Chi" in the story. There is nothing more convenient and quick to explain the historical origin than flashbacks and interludes. Pediatric tricks can also easily plump up the plot. "I'm lazy, but I'm pretty smart", this is Feng Delun's subtext.
Strictly speaking, the focus of "Tai Chi 2: Rise of Heroes" is very erratic, and the portrayal of the protagonist Yang Luchan is far from delicate enough. But Forrest Gump is even stupider than him, and he can still provoke a leading role. Yuan Xiaochao is a serious martial artist, not an actor. However, the most interesting thing in the film is his taijiquan, which has a kind of blood boiling feeling just from the rising and closing. Suddenly I think that the focus of traditional martial arts fights is generally in the process of kung fu display, and the most basic posture of kung fu is not much mirrored. Going back to "Tai Chi 2", except for the last modified version of the play of using plum blossom piles, which is a way of returning to the original, the rest is actually a show. Chen-style Taijiquan has been passed down to this day, and it is meaningless to discuss its lethality. We see more of the backs of grandparents practicing in the morning, and they seem to be very tough and unique. For this reason, it is precisely because of Yuan Xiaochao's professional skills that this character's image, with the strength of soy sauce, has achieved the aura of the protagonist. On the other hand, this is also the essence and foundation of the Tai Chi series as a whole. I believe that in next year's "Tai Chi 3", the close-up of the "flower frame" will be carried out to the end.
Among the characters, Peng Yuyan's interpretation of the villain is the worst, and the sissy personality is annoying enough, not to mention the biggest conflicts are provoked by this guy. Relying on the persuasive power of talking more than nothing, I went all the way abruptly. If the third part does not change its focus, it will inevitably become a failure. Peter Stormare's face seems to give people a glimpse of the dawn of hope. In the background of the late Qing Dynasty, we must point the finger at imperialism once, and use the foreigners' strong ships and sharp guns to fight in the nest, and the stamina is obviously insufficient. In this episode, Yang Ying made a big sacrifice, and obediently returned to the seat of the vase and sat down, without contributing to a head-on fight. Obviously, this is not only to highlight Yang Luchan, but also to serve the title, Feng Delun's handling here is still a little immature.
In general, "Tai Chi 2" has a high degree of completion, and the overall style of the film is moving closer to the essence of Tai Chi itself. The harmony of yin and yang is the kingly way of Taijiquan. Similarly, the fusion ratio of traditional martial arts and weird martial arts is also the life gate of the "Taiji" series. Use geeks to subvert and use tradition to close your heart. I hope the last step of "Tai Chi" can go smoothly.
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