Action star Stephen Fung (“House of Fury”) turns director for the oddball Chinese saga “Tai Chi Zero,” which features action choreographed by Hong Kong legend Sammo Hung.
The story concerns a young man, Lu Chan (Jayden Yuan), who has a small horn on the side of his head. When pressed, this anatomical oddity turns him into a martial-arts superman. But he’s left feeling zapped of energy. He ventures to a 19th-century village where everyone is a martial-arts master for lessons in the village’s unique form of tai chi, which wouldn’t adversely affect him. But locals are forbidden to give lessons to outsiders. Then a villain from the village’s past (Eddie Peng) returns with a gigantic steam-powered engine and announces plans to run a railroad right through town. This forces angry villagers to turn to Lu Chan for help in derailing the plans.
The romantic interest is provided by an actress who calls herself Angelababy. Taiwan cutie Shu Qi is also in the cast, but has little to do.
“Tai Chi Zero” is loads of fun to watch, especially a battle in which watermelons, bananas and other fruits and veggies serve as flying weapons. When new characters are introduced, screen titles list his or her real name and the name of their character, along with what the actor is best known for. Stick around for the closing credits, which are accompanied by a trailer for a “Tai Chi Zero” sequel.