Immediately after finishing *Tai Chi*, Shu Kei penned a review.
As the editor-in-chief of *Film Biweekly*, a publication that did not run daily, he submitted his piece directly to his newspaper column so he could share his impressions without delay.
He spared no superlatives, leading with the sensational headline: *Mainland Martial Arts Heralds a New Era for Hong Kong Cinema*.
His praise was effusive:
"Hong Kong action films have evolved through distinct stages. The earliest were rooted in operatic troupes, when martial arts films drew talent from Beijing and Cantonese opera. Every posture and strike carried a pronounced theatrical flair and stage-bound structure, nurturing the very first generation of martial arts choreographers.
"Then came Bruce Lee, bursting onto the scene and elevating action cinema into an era that emphasized intricate design and relative realism. His arrival sparked a wave of films grounded in solid, authentic stances and flesh-to-flesh, bone-crunching blows—Shaolin, White Eyebrow, Hung Kuen, Wing Chun... each school featured distinct traits, its techniques dissected with utter clarity.
"Recent years brought yet another shift, led by Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung, who blended martial arts with comedy and folk culture. Moving past rigid adherence to school traditions, their choreography became bold and exaggerated, delivering sheer visual spectacle.
"If this trajectory had continued, Hong Kong action cinema was bound to push further toward eccentricity and slapstick irreverence, serving only to pander to audiences.
"Yet along came *Tai Chi*.
"*Tai Chi* recruited more than a dozen national martial arts champions from the mainland. Building upon the full-hearted dedication of these master athletes, and through thoughtful choreography, camera movement, and editing, it showcases a completely different, authentic martial ethos.
"Upright without being rigid, fierce without being exaggerated, rich without being disjointed—the film exhibits a masterful sense of rhythm. It eschews the comedic hyperbole of Hong Kong–style action and casts aside the cheap frivolity of exploiting female bodies, achieving a level of cinematic spectacle never before seen in local cinema. It leaves the viewer awestruck by the sheer depth and breadth of Chinese martial arts.
"Beyond that, what I loved most was the breathtaking scenery.
"Verdant mountains, emerald waters, plunging waterfalls, and tranquil, rustic Qing-dynasty villages. I made a point of looking it up: those residences truly have been preserved since the Qing era, and the film shot on location—something virtually unimaginable in Hong Kong.
"The theme is not confined to petty factional rivalries. Unlike the typical local fare of simple personal vendettas, *Tai Chi* is set in the late Qing dynasty, fixing its gaze upon devotion to home and country. It carries a grand spirit rarely seen on Hong Kong screens.
"Li Lianjie is handsome and spirited in appearance, and his fight scenes are robust and powerful, flowing like drifting clouds and flowing water without losing poise for a moment. In terms of aesthetic beauty alone, it is something this writer has rarely witnessed in his lifetime.
"In summary:
"I consider *Tai Chi* a work slightly ahead of its time.
"I say 'slightly' only because Hong Kong already possessed all of its individual elements; no one had yet managed to weave them together... This is a film thoroughly worth savoring. Five stars—unreservedly recommended!"
As Shu Kei was a critic of no small repute in Hong Kong, his article sparked an immediate wave of enthusiasm across the reviewing circuit.
Aside from right-wing outlets continuing their smear campaign, left-leaning and neutral publications chimed in with high praise. After all, the movie contained no politically sensitive elements that might ruffle the feathers of the British colonial government.
"Outstanding throughout, brimming with clever and ingenious choreography. The training sequences with the water vat and the leather ball leave an unforgettable impression!"
"Not a single leftist was involved in the production—it came purely from the mainland, which is the most astonishing part. Mainland cinema has always had a reputation for heavy political overtones and relentless preachiness. Who knew they could make an entertaining film this good?"
"Li Lianjie is unquestionably the next kung fu superstar!"
"Gorgeous scenery, stunning performers, breathtaking martial arts!"
"The last time a mainland film created such a craze was *Third Sister Liu* twenty years ago!"
Between its own undeniable quality and a wave of favorable public opinion, *Tai Chi* completely set Hong Kong ablaze.
The sixteen theaters Xu Dunle had arranged were packed to the rafters, making tickets nearly impossible to come by. The frenzy left even those who had never cared for leftist films itching to join the crowd and keep up with the trend.
The press looked on in astonishment. It seemed the leftist circuit was about to score a massive blockbuster!
***
"Hey, miss, are you guys showing *Tai Chi*?"
"This is a Golden Harvest cinema. No *Tai Chi* here, but we've got *Security Unlimited*. You buying or what?"
"I want to see an action film! Do you know where it's playing?"
"How would I know? Go look for yourself. Next!"
In Kowloon, a young couple stood outside a theater box office after being brushed off. They exchanged embarrassed smiles, then looked around in bewilderment. They had never watched a leftist film in their lives, let alone set foot in a leftist cinema. They had only heard how wildly popular *Tai Chi* was and wanted to join the craze.
The young man could not help muttering, "Are you kidding me? We have to check political factions just to watch a movie? Where are we supposed to find a leftist cinema?"
"Maybe we should just watch *Security Unlimited*," the girl suggested. "Michael Hui is really funny!"
"We agreed on an action film. We can't give up halfway!"
Just as they were looking for someone to ask, a girl around ten years old stopped in front of them, her parents trailing behind. In a crisp, bright voice, she said, "Are you looking to watch *Tai Chi*? We're on our way there too. Want me to take you?"
"Whoa, little girl, you know where it's playing?"
"I live nearby. There's a Silver Theatre just over there. Follow me."
Chen Songling smiled at her parents and led the couple around the corner. Down the street stood a standalone building, four or five stories tall, with storefronts on the ground floor beneath a large sign: *Silver*!
"You can watch it here!"
Seeing the ticket window swarming with people, she dashed over in a hurry, bought three tickets, and turned back to wave. "Hurry up! There are only two left!"
"Oh, right!"
Behaving almost like children themselves, the couple scrambled to buy their tickets and filed inside, only to be stopped in their tracks. The auditorium, built to seat over a thousand, was packed to absolute capacity. Men, women, and entire families filled every seat, creating an atmosphere as festive as a major holiday—which it was, given the Spring Festival season!
With all five seats grouped together, the adults traded casual conversation.
"Is this your first time here?"
"Yeah, it's such a pain. We had to hunt down a specific cinema just to see a movie because nowhere else would screen it."
"It's fine for us. We live right nearby, so we come to Silver all the time... Songsong, go easy on the popcorn. We're still getting late-night snacks when we get home!"
"Mm-hmm!"
Nine-year-old Chen Songling nodded, clutching her tub of popcorn. Unlike most young girls who wore their hair long, she had a neat, refreshing short cut, paired with thick eyebrows, large eyes, slightly dusky skin, and fuller lips, giving her the look of someone of mixed descent.
In the years to come, she would enter the entertainment industry, earning fame through television series like *The Zu Mountain Saga* and *Instinct*, alongside a successful singing career.
Silver Theatre was indeed part of the leftist circuit and located near her home; in real life, she had even slipped in here to watch *The Shaolin Temple*... Later, when Great Wall, Feng Huang, and Sun Luen merged, they took this very name to establish the renowned Sil-Metropole Organisation!
*Tai Chi* began to play.
The audience was a mix of long-time leftist patrons and neutrals who simply turned up whenever a good film came along, regardless of faction. Others were like the young couple—people who had never crossed the threshold of a leftist venue and were merely following the trend.
Yet no matter which group they belonged to, all throughout the screening they gasped, shouted, and kept their eyes glued to the screen, completely captivated.
When the movie ended, the house lights snapped on with a sharp click. The audience hesitated for a brief second before erupting into thunderous applause—several figures had just stepped onto the stage, none other than the lead cast of *Tai Chi*.
"Quiet down, everyone, please!"
Holding a microphone, the host announced loudly, "*Tai Chi* has received such overwhelming support since its release, and we are deeply moved. On a whim, the main creative cast decided to come here in person to greet all of you!"
A roar of claps and cheers filled the hall.
"Whoa, it's really the leads! The one in front—Yang Yugan!"
"His name is Li Lianjie!"
"The female lead is gorgeous too! Whoa, Prince Duan looks just as terrifying in person!"
The audience's excitement erupted instantly. They had never encountered such a routine before. In those days, a film's release might at most feature a premiere or a small fan-meeting event; stars did not drop by ordinary theaters unannounced to mingle with the crowd.
Naturally, this had been Chen Qi's idea—a practice that would become commonplace in the future, known as a roadshow!
Chapter 151