Ip Man (2008) directed by Wilson Yip
Ip Man is the best martial arts film I've seen in years. Not only do the fighting scenes kick major ass, but the story is on some legendary hero shit. And to top that all off, the film has slick production value with cinematography that's as crisp as this morning's bacon.
Ip Man is loosely based on the life of Yip Man, the legendary grandmaster of the martial art Wing Chun and teacher of Bruce Lee. It chronicles his life during the Japanese occupation of China during WW2 where Ip Man becomes a local hero by standing up to the Japanese through his kung fu. This isn't merely a martial arts action film though; it is a character study of a reluctant hero who stands up for an entire nation. It is dramatic, moving and epic in scope and it is great.
The fight sequences are are like beautifully choreographed dance routines. There is a majestic rhythm to their movements that are both graceful and powerful. The force of the kicks and punches look brutal and hard hitting yet performed with such ease by Donnie Yen. In a particularly powerful moment, an angry Ip Man takes on ten Japanese fighters at once and just crushes.
Donnie Yen is great in the lead role, not just for his fighting ability but the qualities that he brings to the character, charm, humility, quiet anger and resolve. The supporting characters are also solid and given several wrinkles. The Japanese general who Ip Man must face off with in the end is interesting in that he isn't an obscenely cruel villain. Of course he is bad, but even bad guys have morals too. He admires Ip Man's talents and wants a fair fight with him for honor's sake when the sensible thing would be to just execute him.
Ip Man is a fantastic martial arts drama that has it all, great fighting sequences, heroism, and drama and it looks really good too.
Grade: A-
Ip Man is the best martial arts film I've seen in years. Not only do the fighting scenes kick major ass, but the story is on some legendary hero shit. And to top that all off, the film has slick production value with cinematography that's as crisp as this morning's bacon.
Ip Man is loosely based on the life of Yip Man, the legendary grandmaster of the martial art Wing Chun and teacher of Bruce Lee. It chronicles his life during the Japanese occupation of China during WW2 where Ip Man becomes a local hero by standing up to the Japanese through his kung fu. This isn't merely a martial arts action film though; it is a character study of a reluctant hero who stands up for an entire nation. It is dramatic, moving and epic in scope and it is great.
The fight sequences are are like beautifully choreographed dance routines. There is a majestic rhythm to their movements that are both graceful and powerful. The force of the kicks and punches look brutal and hard hitting yet performed with such ease by Donnie Yen. In a particularly powerful moment, an angry Ip Man takes on ten Japanese fighters at once and just crushes.
Donnie Yen is great in the lead role, not just for his fighting ability but the qualities that he brings to the character, charm, humility, quiet anger and resolve. The supporting characters are also solid and given several wrinkles. The Japanese general who Ip Man must face off with in the end is interesting in that he isn't an obscenely cruel villain. Of course he is bad, but even bad guys have morals too. He admires Ip Man's talents and wants a fair fight with him for honor's sake when the sensible thing would be to just execute him.
Ip Man is a fantastic martial arts drama that has it all, great fighting sequences, heroism, and drama and it looks really good too.
Grade: A-
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