Brings To Light A Little-Known Historical Figure

Rating: 7/10 (2 December 2014)

A semi-biographical account of Yip Man (Donnie Yen), the first martial arts master to teach the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun.
Outside of martial arts fans, the name "Ip Man" may not mean much to Americans. In fact, the title sounds silly, as though this was a superhero alongside Batman and Superman. But perhaps this is a sign that the film's time has come: more people, including Americans, ought to know about this martial arts legend, the man who trained Bruce Lee.
Derek Elley of Variety Magazine wrote in his review, "Yen, who's taking on real star charisma in middle age, is aces as Ip, with a simple dignity that exactly mirrors the movie's own and a gracefulness in combat that's very different from his trademark whiplash style." Elley is exactly right. Donnie Yen is really making a name for himself with the "Ip Man" films and is now a very marketable entity. Few martial arts stars today can claim similar status.