So there’s this movie coming out soon called Taichi O . . .
From IMDB: Young genius Yang Luchan travels to Chen Village to learn the forbidden secrets of martial arts, but quickly learns that the village is menaced by a formidable battalion of Steampunk soldiers. The villagers realize that in order to save their home, they must trust this strange outsider with their knowledge of Tai Chi.
I love that the hero of this movie, Yang_Lu-ch’an, was a real person, an influential martial artist who lived from 1799-1872. For me, steampunk works better when wrapped around historical people, places, and events. I’m trying to work out exactly why I feel this way. (Maybe because technofantasy tends to drift off into isn’t-this-cool gadgetry unless grounded in the gnarly power relations and other unpleasant realities of the 19th century, or something.)
Anyway, steampunk soldiers versus soft-style martial arts FTW!
Click here to watch the trailer bigger, better, steampunkier.
PS This is not the first steampunk martial arts movie, by any means. That might be K-20, WHICH HAS A BIG-ASS TESLA CANNON IN IT. But there are no doubt earlier ones, depending on how much you’re willing to stretch the definition of steampunk.
July 30th, 2012 05:46
Ummm…………… Why are you showing us this? But anyways……. cool! (I guess.)
July 30th, 2012 05:54
it’s in Chinese?!?! Well I can read most of it but it was kinda too fasr
July 30th, 2012 06:15
Holy crap, DO WANT.
July 30th, 2012 06:31
@Katelyn-la: Because it’s awesome? Just maybe? Duh? I’m trying to figure out how a steampunk wuxia movie could possibly NOT be of interest to Scott Westerfeld’s readers, and I’m coming up blank.
July 30th, 2012 07:41
Holy cow! My mind, it is blown. Thanks for the trailer, now just have to spring for the airfare to China to see it
July 30th, 2012 17:14
I agree that steampunk is better grounded in history. One of the cool things about Leviathan is that it could almost have happened in the real WW1.
I think it helps the cool Darwinist/Clanker tech stay in its role of drawing in the reader and keeping them interested during the early stages, and doesn’t replace the characters as the real content of the story.
July 30th, 2012 18:11
Oh man, I’ve seen that trailer here in Hong Kong and when I found out it’s has a steampunk-esque theme and Martial Arts I was SOLD!
July 30th, 2012 19:18
O.K. Laurie? Duh? I’ve never heard of it?
July 30th, 2012 19:18
Duh?
July 30th, 2012 21:20
Katelyn-la,
The reason this triler is relevant is because of its stempunk style which ties into Scott’s Leviathan series. It is apparent by your name that you have read his Uglies series, but you should definitely check out his Leviathan series as well. (-:
July 30th, 2012 21:21
Totally awesome. But I think steampunk soldiers would easily win. Apparently Tai Chi is just that powerful (whatever it is).
July 31st, 2012 01:41
looks great. does anyone read Chinese or whatever Asian language that was? not trying to be racist, but if it’s not good ol’ English there’s no comprehension. i hope i can see that movie…somehow
July 31st, 2012 06:19
I could read most of it but after a few seconds I got tired
July 31st, 2012 06:24
oh, thanks Ivie. I trithfully don’t even jknow what this is about, and not to be mean, but I don’t really care. And actually, I just finished Leviathan. I requested Behemoth from the library. I seriously LOVE the uglies serie though. It’s in my top 3 for books. Leviathan is one of my favorites also. My friend told me about the Uglies series, and I was hooke within the firl 10 pages! I just like Westerfeld’s writting style. Anybody who hasn’t read his books should!!!!!! Scott, your books are JUST as good as the Hunger Games. Both trilogiesz ROCK!!!! Also, you guys on here should read Divergent. It is also a trilogy, and takes place in the future, with people rebelling from the government, same as the Uglies series. It’s really good!
July 31st, 2012 06:27
Sorry for the spelling errors. I have so much to type, I am not even looking ar the keyboard, or looking at what i typed. Now I’m reading it, and I’m like….. wow i accidentally spellt trilogies wrong? and know, and truthfully? I better go to bed.
July 31st, 2012 14:07
Here’s a translation of the words that show up on the screen:
How can a weirdo knock out the martial art master?
Watch me as I flirt with my junior and fight villains, Westerners, and monsters.
Then names of the cast are shown, followed by the release date.
July 31st, 2012 21:53
SCOTT!!!!!!!!
I just got back from Alpha, which was awesome by the way, and I’ve decided you have to be a guest author next year! YOU HAVE TO!!!! It would only be the most awesome thing ever! PLEASE…?!?
August 1st, 2012 01:12
what’s Alpha? is it something in the Eastern United States? cuz then i can actually go to a Scott-involved event!
August 1st, 2012 04:30
@Scorpio-Ferret
Alpha is a 10-day workshop for fantasy/sci-fi/horror writers between the ages of 14 and 19 held at the University of Greensburg, in Pennsylvania. You can check out the website: http://alpha.spellcaster.org/
Anyway, there are a few guest authors every year and SCOTT NEEDS TO BE ONE OF THEM!
August 1st, 2012 05:13
Scott, PUH-LEEZE COME TO MN! or even Wisconcin! YOU SHOULD COME TO MOA! (Mall of America.) I live close to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are such a good author. I would love it so much if you came. ANd BTW, why did you go to Mounds Park Academy earlier this year? did you? I hadn’t read your books then, but when I was telling my friends that goes to MPA (A private school) she said you were a guest authur erlier this year. I was SO mad!!!!!!!!!!! (Not at you, just that I couldn’t see you.) Anyone here that goes there? (It’s in MN)
August 1st, 2012 07:05
me=happy asian lol
August 1st, 2012 07:40
Tai chi=Cool
Steampunk=Cool
Steampunk Tai Chi-TOTALLY FRIGGIN AMAZING
August 1st, 2012 21:09
I love how when the cast names are popping up it’s like, random Chinese symbols, Angelababy, more Chinese symbols. I’m always amazed as to why Chinese (and Japanese and maybe other Asian languages) has some English in it. Like in songs and stuff especially, they just have random English lyrics (that usually don’t make much sense) mixed in. And like in Sailor Moon (don’t judge me), all the attacks and transformations were said in English. Why???
August 2nd, 2012 16:05
to Roxanne: you crush my dreams! so, (1) it’s not like i’m going to Pennsylvania anytime soon sadly. and (2) i’m probably one of the youngest Steampunk fans out there. i take pride in this, but not being 14 for another few years does have its limitations.
August 3rd, 2012 08:31
@24-I’m really young 2.
August 3rd, 2012 19:57
What the-OH HOW I WISH I COULD UNDERSTAND THIS TRAILER!
Curse my school for not teaching Japanese. -_-
August 4th, 2012 22:34
Okay I know this is totally random, but I was just flipping through uglies and reading my favorite parts when i was all like tally just attacked someone wig spices!! AND DERYN DID THAT TOO!
Sorry just had to say that.
August 4th, 2012 22:35
*with
August 5th, 2012 03:04
@27-I noticed that too!
August 5th, 2012 05:41
@TheWordMaster
It’s in Chinese. And it looks so cool!
August 11th, 2012 19:46
@Stephanie: Ah. Well, my speakers don’t work, so I can’t tell what language it was in.