Before John Wick, the $5.5 million Keanu Reeves film mocked 3100-year-old Chinese martial arts popularized by Jet Li.

[{"selector":"#anim-dc36966a-577a-4a38-a2d1-b445fd21a8fe [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

[{"selector":"#anim-38bee2af-eff9-4fff-b0d3-e6ab2467447c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(1.8151260388349897%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Man of Tai Chi, starring Keanu Reeves, must have captivated martial arts fans. The film features thrilling Tai Chi routines, popularized by Jet Li.

[{"selector":"#anim-a6efb8ff-c099-4731-bb80-8751a2a0dec3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Jet Li is a Chinese actor, producer, and martial artist. The actor excels in Tai Chi, a 3,100-year-old Chinese martial technique.

[{"selector":"#anim-6e463a87-f7d6-4b6a-9efc-6767bc2fb218 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] However, critics and practitioners of the ancient martial art blasted Keanu Reeves' directorial debut, Man of Tai Chi, for dishonoring it.

[{"selector":"#anim-4abbd6d1-2dc0-439d-803c-540344bf01b7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Keanu Reeves directed it. Keanu Reeves, Tiger Chen, Iko Uwais, Karen Mok, and Simon Yam star.

[{"selector":"#anim-01fbfa5e-5389-472e-8a8a-3d9aad539a13 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Since 2007, Reeves has sought to work with his longtime buddy and stunt double Tiger Chen (The Matrix films). They imagined the Man of Tai Chi.

[{"selector":"#anim-08cb13f1-b84f-4641-b3b1-34e154aa10dd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] This was Keanu Reeves' first villain role. Tiger Hu Chen's martial arts expert joins Keanu Reeves' security specialist Donaka Mark's underground battle club. Martial-arts lovers will enjoy the film's action.

[{"selector":"#anim-b17e1b5b-95c6-44a1-857c-ad03c6e14fd0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Many say the film misrepresents Tai Chi. It has uneven battle scenes and loses focus on Tai Chi, which can hurt its reputation.

[{"selector":"#anim-d3eeef45-1f50-4fba-a809-bd482537c31c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Tai Chi symbolizes Chinese culture for Jet Li, who has practiced it for over 30 years. He and Jack Ma developed a wellness enterprise based on Taijiquan and Taiji philosophy.

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[{"selector":"#anim-0d7f7d8a-6a76-43ef-a01c-b082bf186607 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more