The reviews are coming in
I just realized that this thread is mis-titled. The Legend is Born — Ip Man is not Ip Man 2. I’m changing that now.
FILM REVIEW: Ip Man is back … and more or less the same
The fictionalized life story of kung fu master Ip Man continues in Hong Kong under British colonial rule
By Ho Yi
STAFF REPORTER
Friday, Apr 30, 2010, Page 16
FILM NOTES
Ip Man 2 (2)
Directed by:
Wilson Yip ()
Starring:
Donnie Yen () as Ip Man, Samm o Hung () as Hung Chun-nam, Huang Xiaoming () as Wong Leung, Ly nn Dailin Xiong () as Zhang Yong Cheng
Running time:
104 minutes
Language:
In Cantonese and English with English and Chinese subtitles
Since its release last year, the immensely successful Ip Man () has elevated its eponymous grandmaster of the wing chun () martial arts school to an icon of Chinese kung fu and propelled action star Donnie Yen () to superstardom.
The highly anticipated sequel, Ip Man 2 (2), closely follows the format that made its predecessor a blockbuster hit. But this time the Chinese hero-versus-foreign invaders narrative is fleshed out without wire fu or CGI-enhanced martial arts moves.
Yen is joined by action director Sammo Hung (), who plays a supporting but important role in the follow-up that won’t disappoint fans, though it doesn’t offer many surprises.
The story begins with Ip Man (Yen) fleeing to Hong Kong having defeated the Japanese general in Foshan. To support his family, Ip Man sets up a wing chun academy. But as a newcomer to the British colony, the unassuming kung fu master soon catches the attention of master Hung of the powerful Hung Ga school. Respected by various martial arts schools, Hung insists that, in order to earn his right to teach wing chun in Hong Kong, Ip Man must win duels against local masters.
The challenge leads to a masterfully choreographed fight between Ip Man and Hung that dazzles with its sheer intensity and virtuosity, a scene that deserves to be considered one of the most memorable fighting sequences in kung fu cinema.
The duel ends in a draw, and despite the combatants’ differences, the two come to respect each other’s skills and integrity.
As with the first installment, the second half of the film follows the martial arts hero rising up against foreign oppressors. Only this time, it is not the villainous Japanese our Chinese hero does battle with, but an evil white man in the form of boxing champion Twister (Darren Shahlavi), who brutally beats master Hung to death in what was supposed to be a friendly match.
Outraged, Ip Man challenges the vicious pugilist to a final battle in front of a cheering crowd.
Veteran martial arts star Hung once again creates the adrenaline-pumping, close-range combat sequences that show Yen fighting his way through a fish market melee, tabletop duel and ringside battle.
Director Wilson Yip () and scriptwriter Edmond Wong () neatly tie these action sequences closely to the plot.
One thing that this old-school kung fu fare has gone too far with, however, is its overly caricatured portrait of foreign villains. Though in the first Ip Man movie, the Japanese general, played by Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, seems to have a shred of humanity left within him, the white men in the follow-up are comically wicked and corrupt, prompting the contemporary viewer to wonder why the villains are still as embarrassingly witless and one-dimensional as they were in Bruce Lee’s () heyday.
Despite its plot holes, the Ip Man series has potential and recalls the 1990s’ Once Upon a Time in China () franchise starring Jet Li (). The brief appearance toward the end of the film of a young Bruce Lee, Ip Man’s famous disciple, hints at the possibility of another sequel, though Yen has reportedly said he won’t be in another Ip Man movie.
What is certain is that competing Ip Man projects will soon hit the silver screen, including Wong Kar-wai’s () The Grand Master (), currently in development, and Herman Yau’s () prequel The Legend is Born — Ip Man (), slated for commercial release in July.
Cinema: Spirit of Wing Chun lives
2010/04/28
PHILIP LIM
nstent@nst.com.my
OPENS TODAY : IP MAN 2
Directed by Wilson Yip
Starring Donnie Yen, Sammo Hung, Lynn Hung and Huang Xiaoming
WITH the great success of Ip Man last year, it was inevitable that a sequel would follow close on its heels. True to its original concept, Ip Man 2 continues with the sifu and his family moving to Hong Kong in 1949.
From a man of means in Foshan, China, Ip Man was reduced to living in a decrepit rented room and surviving on almost nothing. As a result of greatly reduced circumstances, Ip Man (Donnie Yen) started advertising his Wing Chun martial arts.
Initially, nothing happened but Ip Man didn’t lose hope. One day, a brash young man Wong Leung (Huang Xiao-ming) went to the rooftop where Ip Man was waiting for his students.
But instead of signing up as a student, Wong challenged Ip Man to a duel. After he was soundly beaten, Wong brought along his friends and they all became Ip Man’s first batch of students. The story of Ip Man and his slow rise from adversity in British colony Hong Kong would touch the hearts of many Chinese who remembered what it was like immediately after the war. Thankfully, this sequel has not lost its direction and has retained its essence of its successful original.
The earthy colours of the entire film reflect the mood of Ip Man’s early years. Even though Part 1 had a more heart-rending tale, Ip Man 2 carried more action-packed scenes.
Much of the angst in this sequel can be credited to the appearance of Sammo Hung, who was the action director for Part 1 & 2 of Ip Man. He played Master Hung of the Hung School of martial arts.
As top dog in that part of colony where Ip Man made his home, Hung collected money from all the other wushu centres, so that order may be maintained. Ip Man was at odds with Hung’s practices and they settled their feud with an exciting match on a round table-top.
The table-top wushu scenes are arguably the most exciting in the entire film. Hung’s practical approach to the realities of life was in total contrast to Ip Man’s philosophy.
Although both men were not the best of friends, there was an inherent understanding of the core principles of wushu that linked both their lives together. Although the fight scenes are in no way more extraordinary, the tenets of brotherhood, honour, loyalty and the indefatigable spirit of human dignity form the foundation of Ip Man 2. For those who have enjoyed Part 1, the sequel has illuminated the Wing Chun path that Ip Man has painstakingly paved in the ghettos of Hong Kong. The strength of Ip Man 2 must be attributed once again to Donnie Yen who has delivered a superb portrayal of Wing Chun master Ip Man.
The persona of Ip Man has been exemplified in Yen’s onscreen gentle demeanour, scholarly bearing and philosophical mien. Simon Yam also returned to reprise his role as Ip Man’s best friend Chow Ching-chuen.
Although his role was minor and tragic, Yam gave credence to some of the personal pains that Ip Man suffered in a new chapter of his life. Other players in Ip Man 2 include Fatso (Kent Cheng), a Chinese police officer who was in cahoots with his British superiors but later redeemed himself, and Leung Kan (Pierre Ngo), the chief editor of the Chinese daily who faced great odds to expose the truth to the people. What cinematic biographical account of Ip Man would be complete without the mention of his most famous pupil, Bruce Lee? So I was a little disappointed when Bruce Lee showed up in the dying minutes of the film. A plucky kid introduced himself to sifu Ip Man as Lee Siao Loong, he rubbed his nose with his right thumb and says he wanted to learn Wing Chun because he wanted to beat up those people he doesn’t like. Ip Man laughed, shook his head and the rest was history. Fans of Ip Man and worldwide practitioners of this wushu art would be pleased to know that the spirit of Wing Chun is still very much alive in this film. Director Yip Wai-shun had taken great pains not to deviate too far from the path of his original success.
After all, Ip Man did win Best Picture at the 28th Hong Kong Films Awards last year. Thus, it is expected that wushu fans will be as greatly entertained by the well choreographed fight scenes in this sequel as they have been in Part 1.
