There’s something about an ensemble cast that can make a movie. We’re talking from the lead actor to the barely there scene-stealers, the right collection of actors can elevate even the dullest of tales while they can send a strong script into the stratosphere. In the modern era, we’re talking films like Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (2024), the first Knives Out (2019), Ocean’s Eleven (2001), or Eastern Condors (1987), tales in which part of the audience’s good time is the large cast who comes to play. Such is the case with actor/director Stephen Fung and the first of his purported Tai Chi trilogy, Tai Chi Zero (2012), available now in a new limited edition Blu-ray from Imprint Films via their Imprint Asia label. Using a narrative framework from the wuxia subgenre and the language of comics and video games, Tai Chi Zero is a tale of old world versus modernity both on the page and in execution, proving that their mixture is often an explosive delight for audiences.
Born with “Three Blossoms on the Crown,” Lu Chan (Jayden Yuan) was going to be a martial arts prodigy as long as his gift could be cultivated properly. Unfortunately, between a disinterested father and the untimely demise of his mother, Lu Chan was raised with an aggressive form of martial arts that wreaked havoc on his internal energy and brought him closer to his death each time “Three Blossoms on the Crown” was activated. Informed that his best chance for extending his life-span is to learn Chen kung fu, Lu Chan travels to the remote village in search of the Grandmaster; however, upon arrival he learns that outsiders are never allowed to be students of the craft. To make matters worse, Imperial orders have arrived to place a railroad right through the town. Defending the village will require all who can to help, a choice that puts Chen Village at odds with the Qing Dynasty Imperial Prince. Can Lu Chan get in the good graces of the village to be taught the martial arts he needs to save his life or will he die regardless by helping?
The following home release review is based on a retail Blu-ray edition provided by Imprint Films.
Written by Cheng Hsiao-Tse (Miao Miao) and Zhang Jialu (Detective Dee films), based on a story by Chen Kuofu (Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame), Tai Chi Zero borrows from a long-standing tradition of wuxia tales but offers a modern meta twist that is not going to be to everyone’s taste. For instance, 2026 saw the release of a new Yuen Woo-Ping-directed film, Blades of the Guardians, which stars a collection of legendary actors (Jet Li; Tony Leung Ka-fai) and newer ones (Nicholas Tse Ting-Fung; Max Zhang) in roles supportive and antagonistic to the protagonist. Between its sweeping stunt sequences and beautiful cinematography, this tale, the first of an unknown number of potential films, feels epic with a capital E. In contrast, while Zero features many of the same characteristics of Blades — stunt sequences being lesser in scale and featuring both a large number of combatants — each time a character appears in Zero, the film goes out of its way to identify them via text as to who the character is, as well as the actor’s name and relation to the film. When Jade Xu’s Sister Majhong first appears, her real name is provided and she’s introduced as the Italian Tai Chi coach. When Lu Chan attempts to fight Brother Tofu, actor Shen Si is not only identified, but we’re told he’s a 12th generation Tai Chi practitioner. Sometimes cast members are identified by their legacy roles, others by their connection to the martial arts, but this ensemble is entirely constructed of those with experience, real and cinematic, to the martial arts, which makes the film itself possess an exciting energy as we, the audience, come to understand that this world is made up of experienced fighters. These repeated introductions, as well as the inclusion of digital placards identifying different parts of the Chen Village when they first appear, as well as the occasional Ben-Day Dot-like animations to aid with transitions, it may be difficult to take the film seriously — something which audiences may expect to do within the wuxia genre. The key here lies with Fung’s ability to cultivate balance between the visual elements and the in-camera materials (cast, stunts, set design) so that they work together in harmony. It’s a bit “eye of the beholder” to be sure, but if you enjoy Jackie Chan (Gorgeous) or Stephen Chow (King of Beggars), then Zero will fall right in line, offering a good time. That said, these elements can be distracting and make it seem like Zero is more a compilation of moments, excuses for Sammo Hung (Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame; On the Run) to show off as action director; however, in a film like this that’s more often a celebration of martial arts, as evident by the various individual set pieces, showing off is the fun.
Now let’s turn out attention to this specific edition from Imprint Asia.
TAI CHI ZERO packshot. Photo courtesy of Imprint Films.
Straight off the bat, if you’re familiar with Fung’s Tai Chi films and already have the Well Go USA edition Blu-ray previously released in North America, the Imprint Films edition will offer you nothing new to explore. This edition contains the same making-of featurette “Behind the Zenes,” the film in 5.1 surround, and an HD presentation as is available on the prior release. If you’re hoping for additional materials, apologies all-around. However, if you’ve yet to explore Tai Chi Zero, this is a great place to start, plus the Imprint Asia edition offers different packaging and artwork, which aids it in standing apart.
Starting with the outside, Imprint Asia packages Tai Chi Zero in a horizontal slip that features the traditional home release film cover of Lu Chan exploding with white light, Troy No. 1 behind him; while the back is gold with white and black text, a singular image of Lu Chan in combat (from the opening stunt sequence of the film) at the top. Instead of a standard blue amray, Imprint Asia’s Blu-ray is contained in a clear plastic. Not only does this allow for a package presentation that enables it to stand out from regular releases, it blends nicely with the alternate cover of white/gray that features Lu Chan on the cover in dark garb standing before the gears of the Troy No. 1 machine. The back of the liner is primarily grey with white and gold text and no stills are included, a marked difference from Eureka or 88 Films titles. Because of the clear plastic, the reverse of the liner depicts a scene from the film in which Lu Chan is in combat with Zhao Di (then-young prodigy from Beijing Shichahai Sports School Wei Ai Xuan).
Moving on-disc, Imprint Asia provides both a 1080p HD presentation and 5.1 Mandarin audio track. Both are clean and clear, devoid of any issues, which shouldn’t surprise too much since the film is only 14 years old. The cinematography from Du Jie (Detective Chinatown series), Peter Ngor Chi-Kwan (Armour of God; My Lucky Stars), and Lai Yiu-Fai (Infernal Affairs) is well-represented here with scenes containing the sensation of being on a set — like a classic Shaw Brothers title (The 36th Chamber of Shaolin) — even when shot outside on location. It’s tricky to maintain such a consistent illusion. Likewise, the soundtrack is equally surprising and not just because it switches a few times between a more traditional wuxia score and modern rock. When the switch does happen, like the explosive scene of Troy No. 1’s sabotage, the sound blasts out of the supporting speakers so one really feels immersed in the action.
Considering that the last physical edition of Tai Chi Zero that released for North Americans came available in 2013 and that only Tai Chi Hero (2012) has released, both theatrically and on physical formats, one takes some heart that if Imprint is adding Fung’s Zero to their collection that maybe there’s some movement on the as-yet-unmade third film in the series, Tai Chi Summit. That’s enough reason to get excited about this new edition, regardless of the lack of new materials, because it means that (a) there remains fan interest in the series and (b) that preservation remains. When so many titles get lost to time, a boutique like Imprint making sure to include Zero in its ranks highlights their commitment to preservation and only bolsters series excitement. All that said, it’s difficult to recommend this particular release strictly because the prior edition is still available for purchase and at a cheaper cost for the same materials. If there was bang here, such as a new featurette or deluxe packaging or even being packaged alongside Tai Chi Hero, then one wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it because there’d be something to justify (even in the smallest sense) the price point at a time when importing anything is costly. The film is a great time with impressive action direction from Hung, but even that doesn’t outweigh the financial elements.
Tai Chi Zero Special Features:
- 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray
- Behind The Zenes – featurette (archival)
- Audio: Mandarin DTS-HD 5.1 Surround + LPCM 2.0 Stereo
- Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
- Optional English Subtitles
Available on Blu-ray February 25th, 2026.
For more information, head to the official Imprint Asia Tai Chi Zero webpage.
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Categories: Films To Watch, Home Release, Home Video, Recommendation, Reviews
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