IP MAN (2008)

Premise

Ip Man is adapted from the life story of Ip Man, the grandmaster of the Wing Chun style of martial arts and sifu of legendary kung fu superstar Bruce Lee. This film is the first important record of the master's life.

Directed by Wilson Yip

Starring: Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Fan Siu Wong.

Saw this about a month ago. As with most Wilson Yip/Donnie Yen movies....great on action, lacking on plot. They try to make it more dramatic, but for me it comes out a little corny. Some of the scenes feel like scenes from Johnnie To flicks...which I think they actually bit from. Donnie Yen has great screen presence and charisma as Ip Man, but I think every scene that Fan Siu Wong is in, he steals the show. Fan Siu Wong plays a martial artist from the north who later becomes a bandit. Good supporting cast, I just wish they would have gone into a little more detail with the other masters. I don't want to give too much away, but if you're into HK action, you'll definitely love this one. Donnie Yens action choreography is top notch. The hits and stunts are hardcore, like in Flash Point. Simple story, could have been told a lot better. I still think Flash Point is better, action wise and story wise (just a little). But most of Wilson Yips films are pretty forgettable story wise anyway.

-sDot