Rotten Tomatoes Rating: NA (Critics) / 91% (Audience)
Directed By: Keanu Reeves
Written By: Michael G. Cooney
Starring: Tiger Hu Chen, Keanu Reeves, Karen Mok
Studio: Village Roadshow Pictures

Synopsis: Keanu Reeves makes his directorial debut with this martial arts production starring Tiger Chen, a stunt veteran who worked with the actor of the two Matrix sequels. Yuen Woo Ping provides the fight choreography, with The Raid’s Iko Uwais heading up the supporting cast. – (Source)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd5WUn2oM8Y
The Good:
The fight choreography in this move was great and I appreciated the little nods to the old school 70s kung-fu theater movies that Reeves snuck in herer and there. Tiger Chen (playing Tiger Chen_) was also a pretty good protagonist considering it was his first starring role after many years as a stunt man. he was effortless in the fight scenes and handled the limited amount of emotional scenes he was called on to play pretty well.
And Yu Hai, as Yang the Tai Chi Master, was everything I look for in the role of the teacher character of a kung-fu movie.

The Bad:
I really wish this movie had fully committed to the supernatural instead of just flirting with it a tiny bit. Some of my favorite kung-fu flicks are the ones where the combatants have powers and no one seems to find it to be odd or out of the ordinary in any way. This movie could have really used a bit more fantasy elements to counteract Reeves’ (for the most part) drab direction style.

The Ugly
Is it possible to do subtle scenery chewing? Because if so Reeves has perfected that art. He was overacting his ass off but in the most laconic way possible. It was quite the odd sight to see.

Final Verdict: A fun martial arts film that succeeds in creating visually appealing and entertaining fight scenes. First time director Keanu Reeves broke no new ground (aside from his acting choices as the villain of the movie) but he made sure that the parts of a film like this that audiences really care about were well done.

Grade: B-