Ip Man (2008)

[Blissful_Eternity]

Collaborating with director Wilson Yip for the fourth time, action star Donnie Yen takes the leading role in a momentous biopic of martial arts legend Ip Man, the Wing Chun grandmaster whose many students included Bruce Lee. Set in 1930s and 40s China during the Sino-Japanese War, Ip Man follows in the spirit of blockbuster period actioners like Fearless and Once Upon a Time in China with a rousing bout of folk hero patriotism and a breathtaking display of martial arts. Endorsed by Ip Man's son who served as a consultant for the film, Ip Man takes some liberties with history, but cuts no corners when it comes to the intense action scenes choreographed by Sammo Hung. Donnie Yen delivers perhaps the best acting performance of his career, along with his usual jaw-dropping martial arts machismo. Ip Man co-stars Simon Yam (Fatal Move), Gordon Lam (Sparrow), Wong Yau Nam (AV), martial artists Fan Siu Wong (The Moss) and Xing Yu (Kung Fu Hustle), and Japanese actor and judo black-belt holder Ikeuchi Hiroyuki (Karaoke Terror) as Yen's main rival.
Ip Man opens in 1930s Foshan, a town steeped in kung fu heritage and lined with an abundance of martial arts schools. The undisputed toast of Foshan though is Ip Man (Donnie Yen), known not only for his superb martial arts, but also for his great humility and integrity. Content with his wealthy, low-key life with his wife (Lynn Xiong Dai Ling) and son, Ip Man refuses to take disciples, though he is at times forced to give sound beatings to rash challengers. Everything changes, however, when war hits. There's no more time for martial arts as Ip Man works hard to support his family through this time of poverty and oppression. But he can stay silent no longer when a Japanese general (Ikeuchi Hiroyuki) begins challenging Chinese martial artists to fatal duels.

This edition comes with deleted scenes, pre-production, production diary, and featurettes on Ip Man and Wing Chun martial arts

© 2009-2010 YesAsia

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[FragrantMemory]

Man, Donnie Yen is quite the lucky martial artist. Not only is he a skilled fighter in real life, he gets to play all the well-known heroes.

Talking about the sequel now...

Sammo Hung's character, Master Hong, was not endearing at first - nor was he endearing later. That said, I did shed a tear for him when he died. He did not deserve to go in the manner that he did - belittled and cruelly mauled by a cocky, ignorant Westerner. It was heartbreaking. Master Hong did manage to redeem himself, in my hardly-humble opinion, however, with his, "If it's only my life, then I can endure it for the pride of the Chinese martial arts world."
That is not to say that I agree one man's integrity is worth anyone's life. I appreciate the fact that he did not retreat and continued fighting even during a particularly horrible asthma attack. He was so determined to maintain the reputation of Chinese kung fu that he sacrificed his own life.


As for that Western boxer with the humongous nostrils and even bigger ego - yeah, he deserved to die for brutally killing a more or less righteous man, who was in the middle of an asthma attack and of older age. I felt Ip Man went too easy on him and should have killed him.
Then again, I am not Ip Man nor will I ever come close to having his perspective. My version of fairness results in a life for a life. I do not forgive crimes of malicious intent. What goes around must come around.


Donnie Yen as Grandmaster Yip Man is a superb choice - aside from being a versatile fighter, he's moderately handsome and looks grounded and contributes to an earthbound portrayal of a widely-revered name in kung fu realm as well as the grand scheme of Chinese history.
His fight scenes were stunning - not elegant and showy, but real, honest, tangible.
That was what made it breathtaking.

I like that they brought back the supporting actors from the first film to portray recurring characters like the family friend who was shot in the head(Simon Yam), Master Jin(who lost his hearing in one ear), Ip Man's wife, Yip Chun, etc.
Nice touch.

Overall, excellent-quality film to add to the legacy of wing chun kung fu. I thoroughly enjoyed it each time and will continue without disinterest.