Ip Man (4½ Stars)

This film is the true story of the martial arts master Ip Man and his difficulties during the Japanese occupation of China. The fighting scenes themselves are toned down, as the film is intended to be as realistic as possible. I'll allow myself the liberty of quoting another reviewer who has said everything better than I possibly could:

"Ip Man" is adapted from the life story of Ip Man, the grand master of the Wing Chun style of kung-fu and sifu (master) of the legendary kung-fu superstar Bruce Lee. Wing Chun has a history of more than 200 years. It was founded by Yim Wing Chun, took root in the hands of Leung Chun, and prospered with Ip Man. The art of Wing Chun has now become very popular with martial arts enthusiasts, especially overseas. It is a traditional Chinese martial art with a formidable reputation internationally.

Wing Chun is characterised by close body combat, requiring practitioners to show speed and power. Chi Sao or "sticking hands" is more similar to modern day combat skills and has a rich feel of genuine strikes. This is also why "Ip Man" differs from the dazzingly romantic and purely fictional style of previous martial art movies. Its explosive punches and aggressive close-range combat offer a new thrill never experienced by modern day audiences.

The story of Wing Chun began in the 1920's and 30's, in wartorn China. Ip Man was martial art's unyielding follower, devoted whole-heartedly to the free learning of wushu. The fight to be top between the wushu schools in the southern and northern regions of China had not stopped him having goodwill matches with other practitioners. Nationalistic bad feelings and racial hatred had not lessened his respect for Japanese kung fu warriors. In this great era of hatreds and tragedies, Ip focused only on wushu. His enthusiasm for martial arts saw him having devastating straight fights with various elite practitioners.

To this date there have been neither movies nor publications about Ip Man. This movie will be the first important record of the master's life. Ip's persistent devotion to Wing Chun is a classic example of the love and respect shown to wushu and the freedom and spirit it represents. This movie will see the making of a modern wushu master representative of Chinese people worldwide. "Ip Man" is a concept, a spirit, a way of thinking – and it represents a new peak in Hong Kong's martial arts movies choreographed expertly by the legendary Sammo Hung.