Tripping down memory lane with Jet Li's finest movies is a very rewarding experience. There are so many excellent ones to choose from. I must confess that I became a huge fan after watching Jet in Shaolin Temple. He would go on to star in a myriad of movies, playing folk heroes Wong Fei Hong, Fong Sai Yuk, Chan Zhan and Fok Yun Kup. The ones I've highlight so far have been my favorites from the 'the golden era' of Jet Li's career. He will always be numero uno in my book, no small feat considering how he has to contend with my childhood hero Jackie Chan.
The reason I chose this movie was for the sheer exhilaration in seeing Jet flex his comedic chops after he loses his mind midway through the flick. Seeing him play off Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh is another highlight. It's also such a joy to see Jet take on a new martial art style, this time taking on the fluid style of Tai Chi. It's funny how Michelle would later star in MCU's Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, playing the aunt of Liu Simu's Shang Chi who so happens to be a Tai Chi Master. This movie, much like it's predecessors Fong Sai Yuk and Once Upon a time in China features great martial art choreography. In terms of comedy, this one straddles the middle ground between over the top Fong Sai Yuk and more serious Once.
The story centers around two good friends who are disciples in the Shaolin Temple. The elder of the two, the more ambitious Tian Bo goads the younger one, Jet Li's Jun bao to secretly learn martial arts. We see the two progress with their training while washing (and wrecking) laundry and fending off bullies. One day Tian Bo sees a master practice an unorthodox move and practices it. As a result they are both expelled from the temple when he employs the move while sparring. Both of them try to seek alms but are rejected by the towns folks. They resort to performing roadside shows to make a living, and attract the attention of the eunuch and his Imperial troops. He attempt to recruit both of them for their prowess in martial arts. Tian Bo sees the opportunity and enlist, while Jun bao declines and end up meeting the rebels.
Time passes and we see Tian Bo rise through the ranks, thanks to his ruthlessness and thirst for power. He soon finds himself in conflict with the rebels, and with his old friend Jun bao. In an encounter he is unable to see his friends point of view and literally destroys Jun bao's martial arts and renders him comatose. It's here where Jun bao loses his mind after recovering from his injuries. With help he rediscovers martial arts and creates an entirely new art form based on studying the mechanics of water, the push and pull. This is Tai Chi. He is even given a a new name Zhang San Feng for his crazy mannerisms. He is ultimately forced to face a power hungry Tian Bo who even kills the eunuch, and some of his troops. He doesn't just want to be a general, he wants to take over! San Feng has no choice but to kill his friend. Seeing how merciless Tian Bo was, the troops allow San Feng and the surviving rebels to kill Tian Bo and to leave. A highly enjoyable flick and one of Jet Li's better ones. Go watch it now!
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