Twin Warriors (2000) aka The Tai Chi Master (1993)
		Genre: Action / Martial Arts Director: Woo-ping Yuen Rating: Restricted Running Time: 95 Minutes Release Date: July 21, 2000	Cast: Jet Li Michelle Yeoh Chin Siu-Ho

Pickup Line: No "Monk"-eying Around!

Guru mumu rating: 4

Guru dudu rating: 4

Overall rating: 4 (wait for video)

When people come out to see a martial arts movie, they come out because they want to feast their eager little eyes on dazzling fight scenes, on awesome acrobatics and mind-boggling stunts. With all this groovy stuff, is there room for a plot? Most of the time, no. But Twin Dragons, aka The Tai-Chi Master, amidst all its punching and kicking, flying and screaming, leaves some space for a plot…sorta.

Twin Dragons is about two best friends, Jun Bo (Jet Li) and Chin Bo (Chin Siu Ho), who grew up and learned Kung Fu in a Shaolin monastery. There, they spent their days training, playfighting, and getting their skinny little butts in trouble…even as grown men.

Jun Bo's and Chin Bo's fates change because of a martial arts competition that was supposed to determine the best of the best in the monastery. Chin Bo, the better fighter (and the cocky one between the two) was sure he was going to emerge the King of Kung Fu. Alas, his cheatin' dirty opponent drives ever-loyal, moral Jun Bo to come to his defense…So they both beat the crap out of the cheatin' bastard. And they both get kicked out of the monastery.

Thus begin the adventures of Jun Bo and Chin Bo. Wandering outside the confines of the monastery, they find themselves amidst rebels. There, they meet other gifted fighters, such as Michelle Yeoh, who plays Li's love interest. Eventually, though, Chin Bo (who thinks he's all that) craves more power and prestige, so he joins the imperial army. Jun Bo, ever-loyal and moral, stays with the rebels. Now on conflicting sides, the best buds go their separate ways, only to have fate bring them back together…as enemies.

Not to say that we don't get out share of fighting and bloodshed prior to this main conflict. Throughout the movie, we get an eyeful of fight scenes, most of their moves impossible (unless your idea of Kung Fu involves flying, using your head as legs, and defying every other law of physics). It's safe to say that watching these supernatural stunts, although entertaining, does take something away from the credibility and thus, the quality of the movie. Scene after scene, you find yourself saying Um…Wha?! Huh?! And it's not because you can't understand the voice-overs.

In defense of all these impossibilities, however, is the fact that Kung Fu movies are made to entertain. And that's what The Tai Chi Master does. You gotta give it credit for its creative choreography, comedic relief and its dramatic portrayal of the ups and downs of friendship. So if you're out to see Jet Li do some comedy, drama, and martial arts, The Tai Chi Master is for you. Some advice from the movie gurus, though: Don't try the stunts that you see at home…'cuz well…they're damn impossible to do!!