Ip Man (2008): Donnie Yen in an Excellent HK Film - A masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (30 June 2018)

Ip Man is a 2008 martial arts film based on the events and life of Grandmaster Ip Man, a teacher of Wing Chun and mentor of the legendary Bruce Lee. The film focuses on the events in Ip's life that supposedly took place in Foshan during the Sino-Japanese war. The film stars Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Lynn Hung, Hiroruki Ikeuchi, and Tenma Shibuya.
The Plot: The movie begins in 1935 - Foshan. Foshan is bustling with activites and martial arts popularity is through the roof with many masters opening their own schools and training disciples. In many people's mind there was only one martial arts master who was the best. However, this master had no interest in opening a school to teach his art. This master's name was Ip Man, played by Hong Kong martial arts action star Donnie Yen.
Master Liu (Chen Zhi-hui) visits Ip Man (Donnie Yen) at his house when Ip Man is having dinner with his wife, Cheung Wing-sing (Lynn Hung), and his son. Ip Man asks Master Liu to leave and come back at another time. However, Liu insists so he stays and waits for Ip Man to finish his dinner with his wife and son. Master Liu challenges Ip Man to a sparring match. It is of friendly nature and not a hostile one. Ip Man wins the match and comes out on top.
The rest of the film is focused on the Japanese occupation AKA the Sino-Japanese war and how Ip Man and Cheung Wing-sing make it through and survive. I don't to go too in depth because I don't want to give any spoilers.
The film was the very first film ever made on the life of Ip Man and was directed by Wilson Yip. The fantastic martial arts choreography was done by the legendary Sammo Hung.
Overall, Ip Man (2008) is a masterpiece in martial arts cinema. It is one of the greatest martial arts films of all-time and definitely Donnie Yen's best film. Highly Recommended.
10/10.