Without question, one of the best, if not the best, kung fu biographies ever...

Rating: 10/10 (17 May 2009)

Grandmaster Ip man is simply a superb and inspirational biographical movie about the father of modern Chinese martial arts.
Shot in a modern style but embodying all the virtues of The Good Chinese Hero of Confuciansim this is a really marvelous and very good watch.
The film is made by the exceptional performance of Donnie Yen as grandmaster Ip. Yes, the fighting skills are exceptional - though this is in places more explicit that many earlier fantasy kung fu movies and younger viewers should be made aware of this - but more than this Yen gives the role a true and very deep and abiding sense of stillness, dignity, and gravitas.
From its beginnings, which are much lighter in tone, to the Japanese occupation, which are not, (And the Japanese here are best thought of as Nazis) the story intrigues and moves along with a wonderful sense of pace - nothing is rushed but a real sense of build-up exists.
This is a masterful blend of Western styles of cinema - it is exceptionally well-lit and shot with superb grading on the film - and Eastern love of the hero story. The fight scenes are all exceptional with a real sense of mastery and vision - without resorting to either too much slapstick or out and out violence. In places the moves are simplicity personified and all the more stunning as a result.
If martial arts are your thing you will absolutely love this - but if drama rather than action is also your thing - then I guarantee you will walk out a foot taller.
Moving, exciting, and inspirational - an exceptional movie.