Ip Man review (Contains spoilers)

Rating: 10/10 (12 May 2011)

Ip Man (2008) Directed by Wilson Yip Mandarin Films Distribution Co.Ltd.
Ip Man is in outstanding contribution to the Hong Kong martial arts genre. The film displays the amazing skills and finesse of Chinese martial arts during the 1930's and encapsulates a nations struggle against the oppression and occupation by the Japanese Imperial army. The importance of martial arts is highlighted throughout the film and is used as a beacon of unity and hope bringing the people together to fight back against the barbaric Japanese army.
Ip Man was released on December 8th 2008 and is based on the life of the famous Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man. The film begins with Ip Man as a successful and wealthy master of the martial art Wing Chun living in the southern Chinese city of Fo Shan famous for its martial arts schools and the story follows Ip Man from the early 1930's and the beginning of the second Sino- Japanese war up until the unconditional surrender of the Imperial Japanese army, August 15th, 1945.
The film is loosely based on the life of Ip Man and the events that occurred before, during and after the invasion of the Japanese Imperial Army. The film is broken down into two parts, Ip man and his life before the invasion and his life after the invasion. The first part of the film offers an insight into the life of Ip Man, a local hero and famous Wing Chun Master living in a large residence with servants. Ip Mans Wing Chun is unbeatable and the first part of the film shows many a challenger being beaten with little effort. Ip man makes a special effort to not inflict too much pain and keep the challengers dignity intact. Ip man does not wish to hurt others and spends most of his time defending himself in each challenge.
The values and beliefs of the Chinese people are an important part of the film and it shines through in the personality of the main Character, Ip man. He is a humble, modest, courteous and a respectful man never wanting anything from anyone and willing to help those that are in need. He treats each challenger with respect and courtesy never wishing to shame him by defeating him in front of others.
The second part of the film offers a darker and more serious side. This part of the film is divided by a montage of death and destruction as the Japanese army invades China. The film shifts from showing us a wealthy, happy, joyful Ip man to a poor Ip man living in poverty struggling to provide for his family during the Japanese occupation. Ip man must pick up work to ensure the survival of his wife and son and ends up working in a coal mine with other martial arts students and teachers. It is here that he is introduced to a martial arts tournament hosted by the Japanese general Miura. At first Ip Man rejects the offer to fight for rice but once his friend is killed in the tournament by the General he becomes enraged and takes on ten Japanese soldiers at once. The Ip man that was before the occupation is no more and a different Ip man steps on to the fighting floor. A harden, angry Ip man quickly destroys the 10 Japanese soldiers with extreme force. The film ends with a showdown between the Japanese General Miura and Ip man surrounded by both Japanese soldiers and Chinese civilians. Ip man defeats the general soundly and is then shot in the shoulder by Miura's second in command Sato. Ip Man escapes to Hong Kong and in 1967 starts up the Wing Chun Athletic Association, and teaches one of the most famous kung fu legends of all time Bruce Lee.
The film is an amazing display of Chinese martial arts talent. The fight scenes are incredible and offer a realistic feel unlike many Hong Kong martial arts films of the past. Ip Man offers the viewer a mix of well-choreographed martial arts fight scenes with a very distinct Chinese flavor with a western style action comedy that so many Hollywood films are famous for. The mix of Western and Chinese influences can be seen throughout the movie in not only the obvious places such as clothing, dialogue and action sequences but also in the portrayal of the characters themselves. The character of Ip man resembled your typical Hollywood action star, tough yet fair, funny yet serious. Throughout the film the viewer is treated to the delights of Chinese kung fu and the cheeky comedic humor of Hollywood films.
Overall the film was a great martial arts film, not your typical over the top Chinese kung fu movie but a cautious mix of western and Chinese flavor. The fight scenes were outstanding and a must watch for not only martial arts film buffs but also all those that enjoy action, comedy films.