The obvious title would be: Grandmaster Ip Man

Let me tell you about this movie that I saw 5 times for the past 2 weeks.

No, its not Star Wars (you geek). I won’t write about that, there’s plenty of those already. Although I may blog about WHY YOU SHOULD GIVE ME A LIGHTSABER one of these days.

Alright. Here’s what’s coming: (There will be no explicit *spoilers*)

Title:  IP MAN
Tagline: The celebrated Kung Fu master of Bruce Lee.  Behind Bruce Lee’s talent lies a legend in his own right.
Starring: Donnie Yen
Directed by: Wilson Yip
Running Time: a blasting 108 minutes

The plot is simple. The movie is about the life of Wing Chun master Ip Man and his life in the city of Fo Shan during the Japanese invasion. What may have sold this movie though, is the fact that it says he’s the master of Bruce Lee. I didn’t know Wing Chun until I saw this film. If you are getting clueless already; Wing Chun is a chinese martial art, Bruce Lee is an action star. Google should help you; but do that later.

What I really liked about this film is; unlike most Chinese martial arts movies, you won’t see kung fu masters flying from one bamboo tree to another or walking on the water or fighting in mid air; you get the drift? The fight scenes are flawless, in the sense you can see the discipline or fighting style one is using. In all honestly, the fight scenes are realistic.

My favorite scene would be when Ip Man (or Master Ip) had to fight 10 Karatekas at once! Oh boy, he’s a like a woodpecker on amphetamine when he threw his punches on one of the Japanese Karatekas. Donnie Yen’s non intimidating looks makes the fight very unpredictable (unless of course you’ve already seen him in Iron Monkey). He cracked their legs, punched their face and threw them all in a classy, classy way.

I just had a bad morning kids.

My second favorite would be the fight scene between Ip Man and General Miura; Karate vs Wing Chun, Japan vs China,  black vs white – it is amusing in so many ways. What’s really interesting about this scene is one (or at least me) would realize that these martial arts are so anchored to the originating country’s culture and beliefs, that it would reflect on the fighting style. Ip Man even said that Chinese martial art, in it’s true sense is Confucian in spirit; that’s why the Japanese (who, according to Ip Man, abuse power) do not deserve to learn it. At least during that era.

Ip Man: Welcome to The Matrix

Its been said that Wing Chun was invented by a woman, although the moves are not as graceful as Taijiquan it is still graceful in its own way. Donnie Yen gave so much justice to it, that I feel he was made for this role. And  yeah, the most comical scenes were between Ip Man and his wife and son.

This may not appeal to your interest but I am putting this on my blog because: (1) I love this movie (2) Ip Man 2 will be released a month from now; April 29 to be exact.

Now, why do you need to see this?

1. It is historical.
A city like Fo Shan existed. It is a martial arts enthusiast’s heaven. Japan bossed China for some time. This is a historical drama anyway.

2. The movie was successful.
It won Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Action Choreography among others on the 28th Hong Kong Film Awards. Nuff said.

3. The fight scenes will make you want to enroll yourself in some wushu class.

4. Ip Man’s Costume
It will remind you of Neo from The Matrix.

5. Because I said so.
I have so much love to this movie that I want you all to see it.

Advertisement