What Makes Someone a True Grandmaster!

Rating: 8/10 (28 June 2014)

Set during the early and late 1930s, 'Ip Man' is based on the eponymous Wing Chun master. It revolves around the life of Ip Man and his significance during the Sino-Japanese War. But more importantly, it deals with a man of honour who never forgets the importance of humility. For me, it is also about control, for that is what is most important when you want to channelize your strengths in the right direction.
The movie has given the proper amount of attention where it's due. All the main elements have been duly emphasized and highlighted; the characterization, the superb fight scenes and the impactful dialogues married with eclectic musical score.
I'm not an expert on Chinese movies and actors, but I don't know if anyone could do more justice to the role than Donnie Yen. And even if there is, I'm still more than satisfied with his portrayal of the protagonist.
What I really loved is the contrasting characteristics of Ip Man and its impressive portrayal. For a person who is as proficient in martial arts as Ip Man, the master is as modest as anyone can be. Especially for a person who is hailed as the best of all masters in the region of Foshan, a hub of Southern Chinese martial arts clubs. We get to see this at the start of the movie when he defeats one Master Liu after the latter asks him for a practice session. After the duel, Master Ip Man promises to keep the result of the fight a secret but unfortunately a kid named Yuan who witnesses the fight, ruins it for Master Liu.
As the story moves forward, we see how the leader of an out-of-towners group manages to challenge and beat all the masters of Foshan. All but one. When this person challenges Ip Man, we get to see the other side of him more clearly. From a calm, modest presence he transforms into a focused, determined and aggressive individual when in a duel, very much evident from his expression and approach. Let me take my sweet time to praise the absolutely amazing action! The fight scenes throughout the movie are very well crafted. An amazing amount of detailing has been done and we can see the huge amount of effort put in to perfect them, from the point of view of filming and getting them right by the actors. All I could think of is: Light Fast Blows!
After the victory, he is all the more famous and respect for him among the people of Foshan has increased manyfold. But the pleasant atmosphere of Foshan soon changes as the inevitable happens. As Japan invades China, all hell breaks loose. The Japanese oppression has reached all corners of Foshan. No stone is left unturned. Ip Man loses his home and has to struggle for existence. A man who never worked a job in his life is compelled to do so for his family. While searching for a job he meets Chow Ching-chuen, an old friend whom he had lent some money to set up a cotton mill. Chow takes him to the mill and since he can't repay him, he considers Ip Man as a shareholder in his business, an idea he is reluctant to. When he asks him to join him for lunch, Ip Man makes an excuse that he is 'not free' and has to go back. When Chow's son asks him," Why didn't you ask uncle Ip to stay?", he replies (because)," He doesn't like to owe people favours."
We see how Ip Man fights the odds and defends honour. Not just for him, but for his fellow Chinese brothers and sisters. He trains the mill workers to defend them from robbers, the same group of out-of-towners we saw previously. How the art of Wing Chun is important to him and for the Chinese spirit. We see how he emerges as the champion of hearts and the flag bearer of the Chinese freedom struggle from Foshan.
This is a movie about honour and valour. It is about a one-man-armywho raises one!