Ip Man

If you love martial arts you must see this film. Great fight sequences but something that is quite rare in Martial arts films a decent story as well to go along with the action. Life is good for Ip man. He is wealthy (not quite sure how) and respected within his home province in China. He has a good life he spends his days training in the art of Wing Chun and his evening private sparing/duelling with the masters and sometimes the other martial arts schools, but not leaving enough time for his wife and son. As these are private nobody is supposed to know who wins or loses. Ip Man, usually destroys his opponents without any permanently damaging shots. He also refuses to open his own school or taken any decuples/students. An aggressive group of Northern martial artists come to his town and destroying the masters of the other dojos in public Duels. Disappointed with the level of the fighters they find they are told to fight the top practitioner of Foshan Ip Man. After being shamed into this fight Ip Man agrees to a private duel, in which case is soundly thrashes the new comers restoring the reputation of Foshan. Years later Japan invades China, seizing land, property and money from the Chinese. They take over Ip Man's house and he is left with a few possessions he forced to pawn for food for his family. When this is not enough he is forced for the first time to get a job to provide for his family. While at work the Japanese general (an honourable man and martial arts enthusiast) asks for volunteers to fight in his tournaments if they win they will receive a bag of rice for every fighter they beat. Some of the former martial arts students and masters do not really care about the rice but want a crack at the Japanese. The Colonel under the general is not at all honourable and has not love for the Chinese, he shoots one of the masters who over reaches in his second bout. His former student takes a fight with the general and refuses to give up and is beaten to death. This ignites a spark in Ip Man he fully unleashes his Wing Chun on the student/soldiers in the tournament. Impressing the general he is told to come back but Ip Man is not interested in playing these games. So the general send soldiers to bring him in, when they threaten his family he is forced to attack them, now he must go into hiding. However he is forced to help out some friends and countrymen being extorted by bandits. Captured by the Japanese he challenges the general to a fight. The general accepts and allows the whole of Foshan to watch. The Colonel is not so sure even the general can beat Ip Man so he tells him if he wins he will be killed. Can Ip Man wins and survive or is he to become a martyr to start a Chinese revolution? Great film. Great fight scenes; there is only one down side of this film for me. In this film Ip Man is simply just too much for any of the fighter. It is like watching a world class fighter beat the crap out of the local talent. This is no one in this film to even come close to his level. It is like everyone in this film is from level 8 to 10 and he is a 15. I don't think he took more than 3 punches in the whole film. As stated a must see for all martial arts fans.

I have been looking forward to seeing this film for ages and I was not dissappointed. I don't want to delve too much into martial arts analysis, Wing Chun Lineage - even overall historical accuracies - just want to appraise it aknowledging that I want film lovers and martial artists alike to enjoy it. I feel the film delivered on so many levels, I genuinely believe that of all genres, the martial arts film arena is especially difficult to craft a genuinely spectacular and innovative film. And this is probably why the film succeeds - and had the greatest impression on me since the humble yet excellent Ong Bak. Donnie Yen is great in the lead role, with a very competent cast to accompany him - all their performances are natural and sincere and genuinely help this film ascend from just a 'Martial arts epic ' to an individually great film. Yen captures the true spirit of Master - he is a sincere and humble husband and father, but when he has to fight - it is without hesitation and utterly relentless. This aspect also deserves credit - both how Yen handles the fight scenes - with real accomplishement and grace and in tandem, how well the fight scenes are choreographed. I respect that they haven't gone for the wow factor but have depicted it as real combat - like Wing Chun itself - simple, effective and brutal - no glamour or gimmicks - this again will impact on new audiences, and, on the whole satisfy Martial Arts and Wing Chun practitioners alike. And the blu ray itself, although imbued on a muted pallete of colour, the film looks and flows beautifully - really demonstrating the painstaking attention to detail in the sets and elegantly capturing the frenetic combat in clinical detail rather than a flurried blur. As I said before I wanted to look at this film openly....admittedly I myself am a dedicated Wing Chun practitioner of 10 yrs so far - but also a film lover too - and this film inspired me in my training and made me watch it three times over the weekend. A class act.

I'm 28. I grew up watching all sorts of martial arts films. Old-school Jackie Chan, ninjas, shaolin movies, kung-fu movies, action cinema like In The Line Of Duty 4... You name it. I even became a martial artist. Nowadays, given my passion for movies and knowledge in movies in general, i pretty much just watch martial arts movies not expecting much of the story, acting, cinematography, lighting, editing, etc. I just look out for awesome fight scenes. Honorable exception to Zhang Yimou's films, which have both to mind blowing levels!!! With this movie i expected high production values, great fight scenes but the other components to be barely tolerable... I WAS SO WRONG! Great production value and great fighting scenes it has, no question. You'll get your money's worth right there. But it also has great acting from Donnie Yen, awesome lighting and cinematography (the somber lighting of the japanese tatami, the spacious and burgeouis home of Ip Man, the lighting on the suicide scene in the Deleted Scenes section that i'm trying hard not to spoil), very respectable acting for a first-time acting model, as well as by all the supporting cast, and an overall directing that made a very coese and solid movie. It's not gonna win an oscar by any means in any of those categories, but it's a good film in it's own right. And for those Hong-Kong martial arts movie fans, worried about the decline and eventual disapperance of the genre, i say only this: Guys, with movies like these, i'm not at all worried about the future of martial arts' films!

Ip man is loosley based on the real life avents of a chinese man called ip man also known as yip man, yip man is famously known as the man who taught bruce lee wing chun kung fu, even thow yip man didnt teach bruce that often because he didnt realy want to be seen teaching a half american a secret chinese martial art (and for very good reason, TRIADS) and their fore got his nephew to do most of bruce lees tutoring, anyway, the movie ip man is LOOSLEY based on ip mans life before and during the second world war, ip man was a rich man before the war and spent most of his time practising kung fu, then the japanese invaded china and ip man lost his fortune and went hungry as did the rest of china, in the movie ip man takes on the japanese by himself and batters the hell out of japanese soldiers, as well as a couple of nourthen cina men, the character ip man is played by donnie yen who learned wing chun in 9 months for the role, and to see donnie in action its hard to believe, because he is awsome and leathal, its as if he has been doing wing chun his whole life, he also plays ip man very well, i would definatley recomend this movie to any one who likes martial arts movies or is interested in ip man, i also recomend the film to anyone who thinks that watching someone getting punched 20 times in the face at 100 miles an hour is funny, you can just fast forward to the violence and laugh your head off.

Ip Man: Follows a storytelling Of A Real Life Legend "Master Ip" pronounced "yip". This Legend was a Top WING CHUN master and is more well known in this day and age for being Bruce Lee's Sifu (martial arts teacher) The Film itself is nothing short but Brilliant! It's a story that loosely follows the early life of Master Ip in the 1930's just before and during the Japanese Invasion of China - set in Foshan. Although not historically accurate, It somewhat retells the story of this respected master very very well! Also some of those that knew the real master and his legacy worked closely within this title. Donnie Yen plays the leading role. with Yen having to have trained hard, be on a strict diet and even remained in character after the camera stops rolling - just so he could give the role he is playing the justice it deserves! Sammo Hung is taken on as the stunt and martial arts Choreographer. Which is clearly shown here, as the fights and choreography are nothing short but of absolute Brilliance!!! The Film showcases how a very confident man can also be rather humble and know when to say "no" when something affects even his own family. Ip Man: has a very deep story that leaves YOU the Viewer cheering on the main character in everything he faces. It shows emotions, pride, hardship, respect, mercy, excellent fight scenes, and authentic characteristics all rolled into one compelling heart-felt and heart-pumping story. This Is A MUST BUY!!! It shows that the best kung fu movies has not died out completely! and this marks the return of decent kung fu/martial arts movies. A sequel has been made which is understandable. Because this film really is that GOOD!!!

i don't claim to be an expert. i've seen a lot of martial arts movies, even some embarassing old funny movie, but i'm not a real expert... i didn't ever practised a martial art myself, for that. but take my word, Ip Man is truly brilliant, and perhaps the best martial art movie i've ever seen. everything works perfectly... it's not really unusual to start a dramatic movie with a light and even humourous tone, but here the passage feels very natural and allows people to get emotively involved in the movie. the story is well written. ok, we saw many times before kung fu masters fighting against ruthless but chivalrous japanese fighters, so nothing new. but even the character of Miura is well presented. my only complaint is that the worst villain, the japanese general Sato is very archetypical, uncomplex and stupid, but it's a minor glitch in the whole mechanism. needless to say, action scenes are PERFECT. no need to add anything else. if you like martial art movies or even if you never saw one and are not sure from where to start, well, ip man is worth every cent and every second!

This was a bit of a blind buy for me - it sounded good and at less than seven pounds, I thought it was a look. Wow - it was so much more than I'd expected! The hour and forty minutes just flew by and to be honest, I didn't want it to end - and that's why I'm also going for Ip Man 2 despite some of the reviews! What I liked about this film was that it was based on a true story and a good one at that. Also - the fight scenes were truly amazing (probably the best I've ever seen) - and all done without the use of wires. I've seen some movies of this genre and to see them flying twenty foot in the air whilst still fighting just doesn't do it for me. This movie and all the action in it makes a truly believable and highly entertaining watch. It is sub titled but please don't let that put you off - It's a truly stunning movie and well worth adding to your collection. I fail to see how anyone can be truly dissapointed with it.

This shipped with only dutch and german subtitles. My wife speaks no cantonese. The supply of non-substitutable products as substitutes is inexcusable.

La película llegó a tiempo y en buen estado. La película es una referencia para las películas de acció y artes marciales, basada en capítulos de la vida de IP Man cuenta su historia ante la ocupación japonesa, muy buenas coreógrafias, y el actor Donnie Yen es genial.

Rarement été aussi impressionné par un film de ce genre. Un pur chef d'oeuvre, des combats exceptionnel, et une histoire par lequel nous sommes frappés. Au début du film, je me suis dit "oui c'est comme le reste de ce genre, des combats, des combats...." Et plus le film avance, Plus c'est impressionnant, le charisme des acteurs est bien là (Donnie Yen est juste parfait), Ip Man, figure réelle du kung fu (et maitre, notamment, de Bruce Lee) sert ici avant tout la légende nationale chinoise, concentrant dans un hagiographie fictive toute la dignité, la bravoure et le sens inné de la résistance que le pays voudrait laisser de cette période d’humiliation. Si la gravité de la reconstitution historique est assez attendue, son interaction avec la solennité des combats fait sens : la lenteur de leur mise en place, la tension générée pour y parvenir construisent avec maîtrise la récompense des scènes de bravoure. Dans la Chine des années 30, le maître Ip Man suscite l’admiration de tous ; il est la référence absolue des écoles de kung-fu de la ville de Foshan. Humble et généreux, sifu (« maître ») préfère toutefois se consacrer à une vie paisible et néglige de transmettre son savoir. Il répond poliment aux duels et met tranquillement ses adversaires au tapis, sans effort et avec classe. Avec l’arrivée des Japonais et la terrible occupation marquée par les privations et les humiliations, Ip Man doit travailler pour nourrir sa famille. C’est alors une période de questionnement et de remise en cause, mais aussi l’occasion de mettre son art à l’œuvre. Car c’est bien là que tout se joue : dès les premiers affrontements, le talent de l’équipe saute aux yeux. La précision des chorégraphies, la gestion chirurgicale du son, élément essentiel au rendu des combats, l’harmonie des prises de vue concourent à offrir les plus belles performances. Le ralenti, toujours délicat à gérer pour trouver un point d’équilibre, souligne habilement la gestuelle, notamment dans cette façon par laquelle les tiges de bois lissent les étoffent de l’adversaire. La variété des décors (une école, un salon dans lequel on a interdiction d’abimer le mobilier, un tatami obscur symbolisant l’emprisonnement des occupés, une manufacture de coton, et la scène finale offerte à la foule des opprimés) est exploitée avec intelligence, sans fioritures, avec le souci constant de magnifier la figure centrale. Librement inspiré de la vie du grand maître éponyme, le film fabrique une légende dorée qui ne retient subjectivement que les ingrédients qui établissent les héros dignes des films de kung-fu. Sans faille et sans reproche, le personnage est paré de vertus pour se battre avec la quiétude et la conscience sereine. L’histoire montre une réalité un peu plus tourmentée. C’est le danger de ces biographies qui prêchent dans un contexte fidèle et exact, mais détournent la vérité sur des points précis. En l’occurrence la vie et l’œuvre de ce maître de kung-fu. Car la reconstitution de l’époque est on ne peut plus soignée : quelques rues de Shanghai ont servi à recréer le Foshan des années 1930 et l’entreprise de coton, importante dans le récit, a été entièrement construite pour les besoins du tournage, à partir d’un vieil entrepôt. Les scènes de rue comme les intérieurs, des costumes aux véhicules en passant par les enseignes publicitaires ou le mobilier, tout est remarquablement restitué. Pour gagner en authenticité, le plus vieux fils de Ip Man a servi de consultant sur le plateau, et l’ambiance historique est rehaussée par une photographie soignée, avec une agréable patine comme sur les clichés jaunis des vieux albums. S’ajoute la véracité de la base du scénario, un point de départ original et excellent : Ip Man était en effet un maître incontesté du Wing Chun, art martial du Sud de la Chine vieux de plus de trois siècles ; il aurait refusé d’enseigner ses techniques aux Japonais et il s’est bel et bien enfui à Hong Kong en 1949. Pour le reste, tout n’est que phantasme pour alimenter le mythe. Sur le fond, on pourrait presque parler de propagande. Le conflit sino-japonais est encore douloureux dans les mémoires. Tout comme dans le cinéma occidental, où l’Allemand est resté l’affreux de service pendant quelques décennies, le Japonais est encore bien mal loti dans la culture historique chinoise. C’est donc un violent réquisitoire contre l’occupation, qu’il est difficile de blâmer au regard de la réelle dureté des faits. C’est aussi et surtout, une très belle galerie de personnages, qui renforce l’immersion culturelle et le réalisme de ce film. Simon Yam incarne l’image de cette Chine qui s’occidentalise en faisant fortune avec le commerce européen, c’est particulièrement pertinent dans le Foshan des années 1930. La belle Lynn Hung obtient le rôle de la compagne de Ip Man. Elle est réservée, pudique, Elle fait preuve d'une sensualité agréable... On retrouve aussi Siu-Wong Fan dans le rôle de la vraie brute ! Sa boxe du Nord viennent défier tous les maîtres qu'elle abrite. Le film s'attache au personnage, présente son art, dépeignant Ip Man comme un homme sage, attentionné avec sa famille, et modeste. Alors qu'il est reconnu et respecté de tous comme étant discret et faisant peu d'étalage de son talent, il est poussé à sauver l'honneur de la ville lorsque ces pestes de chinois du Nord débarquent pour égratigner la boxe du sud ! Au même moment, le Japon envahi la Chine.. Complet gris et chapeau mou, son personnage est un peu fade à côté de tant d’action, mais son rôle est intéressant. Gordon Lam est également très bon dans son rôle de policier en manque d’autorité qui devient collaborationniste pour les Nippons, avec un mélange de fierté pour son maigre pouvoir et de frustration nationaliste. «Lust, Caution» a abordé récemment ce genre de personnage peu glorieux ; il est étonnant de voir au cinéma cette forme d’autocritique sur le collaborationnisme. Enfin, les bandits du Nord qui rivalisent avec le maître et reviennent semer la pagaille à plusieurs reprises, n’ont pas un rôle anodin. Ils symbolisent l’anarchie de la Chine, embourbée dans les guerres civiles après la chute de l’Empire. Il est d’ailleurs plus intéressant (comme toujours) de voir le film en version originale, pour s’amuser des contrastes entre le cantonais et le mandarin… Au-delà de ces considérations historiques et culturelles, Ip Man est aussi (et surtout !) un film de kung-fu. Et à ce titre, il se place bien haut parmi les productions de ces dernières années. C’est une excellente réussite qui réunit tous les ingrédients classiques de ce genre cinématographique : un brin d’humour potache, de la tension mélodramatique, et des combats sous toutes les formes (épée, bâton, main nue, etc.). Le spectacle est d’ailleurs fort peu novateur dans l’ordre des joutes, avec une gradation très linéaire. La présence de l’occupant japonais est en revanche l’occasion de changer d’ambiance et de se confronter à de nouveaux styles. Hioyuki Ikeuchi incarne le général Miura, savoureux monument de férocité intériorisée, de rage contenue, le genre de méchant avec de l’honneur qui inspire le respect… une pointure évidemment à la hauteur de Ip Man. Au passage, (Mention spéciale au pari tenu par Ip Man d'affronter 10 Japonais à la fois dans des séquences d'échanges Kung-fu vs Karate d'anthologie !) Tout simplement, la réussite de ce film c’est Ip Man lui-même. Créer un vrai héros de cinéma, attachant et charismatique, n’est pas chose aisée. Donnie Yen signe une performance impeccable dans sa quatrième collaboration avec Wilson Yip. Il combat avec nonchalance, avec la maîtrise impassible de celui qui n’a plus rien à prouver. Ip Man est fascinant parce que Donnie Yen lui donne toute sa puissance dans une clairvoyante économie de gestes et de paroles. Il façonne un héros qui trotte longtemps dans l’esprit après que la lumière de la salle se rallume : c’est un signe qui ne trompe pas. Un niveau dans les chorégraphies presque jamais atteint, Un vrai coup de cœur, le must du genre ! Recommandation pour tout le monde. Et à la fin du film le petit Bruce Lee débarque chez Ip Man... Tout le monde connaît la suite !

Una película muy bien conseguida. Es entretenida, tiene buena banda sonora y narra la historia real de IP Man, un gran maestro de las artes marciales chinas. Los actores actúan bien y algunos caen simpáticos. El ambiente de la época en la que transcurre está muy logrado, al igual que el vestuario. Tiene unas coreografías de lucha muy buenas. Recomendable para todas las personas e imprescindible para aquellos que practiquen artes marciales. El DVD está completamente en Castellano.

Same as first movie