People are voting emotionally.

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

Right up front, this is one of my favorite modern kung fu films. Donnie Yen is always a joy to watch, and this is arguably his best performance. The fight scenes and choreography are top notch. Some people hate wire work (aka wire fu), but I thought it was used tastefully. Most of the other performances are also really good. Siu-Wong Fan was great, and the style he used was easily the most entertaining. Lynn Hung was solid as well, as was Hiroyuki Ikeuchi.The movie was directed well, for the most part. The transition between first act and second act felt like a bit of an odd choice. I think seeing the Japanese occupation of Foshan unfold would have been much more interesting than what we got, or at the very least, don't tell it though a little 'montage'. Even though I thought even that transition was well done, it's still a bit jarring and makes you feel like you've entered a new film.The first act was certainly enjoyable, with some of the best fight scenes, but the second act is where the direction, cinematography, and story pick up a bit. Gone are the high energy exhibitions and wit. Really the movie could have started here and it wouldn't have made much of a difference. The look of the film is truly great and I can't praise it enough, but it's hard to ignore the issues I have with it half way through the movie. At this point, we're supposed to believe that Ip Man still hasn't looked for work. Believable I suppose, but unlikely. Apparently he also only has one outfit, but this is just nitpicking. When finally securing work, he coincidentally gets chosen because of this status, and is put in an environment surrounded by other masters. The coincidences really pile on at this point. When we finally get to the Japanese fighting 'tournament', Quam and Lin of course cross paths at the same time. The movie repeats this of course with Quam and Ip Man. The fighting scene between Ip Man and the 10 Japanese fighters is easily the best. Despite the movie's flaws and coincidences, it builds up this fight quite well through its direction. When Ip Man pops off, it's incredibly satisfying.Good stuff out of the way, time for my main gripes.How was Ip Man able to afford the home he had at the start? He had never worked before. His wife maybe? An inheritance? It's never made clear. He seems well known and respected, and yet, over half of Foshan acts as if his physical ability is a surprise. Are we supposed to believe that Ip Man existed in Foshan as the best fighter there, but only after a couple fights people wanted to train under him? It's like a detail is left out somewhere.I know not of the facts surrounding the real Ip Man's life, nor do I know all the details of the Japanese invasion, but said invaders are portrayed quite poorly. The general is the only mildly interesting character, with the rest of the Japanese being caricatures. The strongly nationalist writing also drives home for the viewer how awful the Japanese are supposed to be. I understand that the dialogue can make some sense. After all, nothing will turn you into a nationalist faster than an invasion from a foreign country, but the Japanese are too comically portrayed. I was hoping the movie would do more with the Jin character. He really was the most enjoyable performance in the movie for me. Learning more about the Japanese general would have been nice as well. It seems like at first he just wants to find a strong fighter to challenge his own ability, but in the end it seems he just wanted someone to train his men? For what reason? The invasion was done with guns, not fists.Lastly, Ip Man is TOO good. For some people this isn't a problem, and typically it isn't a problem for me either, but Ip Man is basically kung fu jesus in this movie. It feels like there are no stakes in each fight, he simply can't lose. Not even the final fight scene could do more than have the Japanese general land a few hits. In a more fantastical kung fu movie, the untouchable aspect can make sense and be fun, but in a semi gritty, emotional biopic of Ip Man, it's out of place.Despite my complaining this is still one of my recent kung fu favorites that I've watched numerous times, and certainly recommend it to anyone looking for good direction, great camera work, great choreography, and great fight scenes.

A movie based on the life of Master Ip Man, who's most well-known as the popularizer of Wing Chun style of kung fu and as the teacher of Bruce Lee. The movie follows his life in the years leading up to World War Two and his exploits during that conflict. The movie is notably anti-factual, but in an honest way. Director Wilson Yip has outright stated that he put the needs of a good story before historical accuracy. When it's done this blatantly, I cannot find any fault in it.The movie mixes martial arts with historical drama, and I do have to admit that the former of these two aspects works much better than the latter. As a period piece the film works okay. The costumes and locations are interesting, the cinematography is at times beautiful and although the script is clearly from the point of view of the Chinese, the Japanese are not depicted as outright monsters, like they sometimes are.But if we're all being honest here, it's martial arts side of things, which really elevates this movie above its peers. Donnie Yen has a deserved reputation as one of the best in the business, and this right here is one of his finest films. Add in the fact that the film had a lot of great background help, including Ip Man's own son, Ip Chun, working as a consultant, and you have one fine martial arts fest in your hands. The fight scenes in this film are gorgeous. Highly choreographed, beautifully shot, just all around beautiful to witness. And they're all so different from one another. You never feel like you're watching the same match twice.Ip Man is a great watch for all fans of the martial arts genre. Donnie Yen gives one of his finest efforts, both as a martial artist and as an actor. Sit back and enjoy a world where everyone is kung fu fighting.

What made me watch the movie is that at first I was really curious why it has an 8 rating, but after watching the film, I thought that the movie deserves a higher one. It was an enjoyable movie from the beginning up to the last frame. Ip Man is one of the best martial arts film in decades. It should be ranked alongside the best movies. It can be enjoyed by people of all age. We were glued to our seat and there is no boring scene. The movie is more enjoyable compared to other overrated movies.Go watch it you will never be disappointed.

The film Ip Man follows the story of a rich martial arts enthusiast in the Chinese city of Foshan in the 1930s and 40s. Although he is the best in all of southern China, he doesn't run a martial arts school, like many of the other enthusiasts. He simply practices it because it's his passion. A northerner comes into town and beats all of the schools in the area in an attempt to show the superiority of northern fighting styles, open his own school, and get rich. He ends up challenging Ip Man and loses. Shortly after, Japan invades China in 1937. This marks the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War, and later WWII. Ip Man's estate is confiscated by the Japanese and turned into their headquarters in Foshan. He, along with his family and friends, is forced to live in decrepit apartments and abject poverty. Ip Man manages to find a job in a coal mine and helps defend a cotton mill his friend invested in from a group of Chinese bandits lead by the northern martial artist from the beginning of the film. General Miura, the Japanese general in charge of Foshan holds daily martial arts duels between the Chinese citizens and Japanese trainees. If the Chinese participant wins, he is granted a bag of rice. Ip Man eventually challenges Miura after he is ordered to teach the Japanese trainees his superior form of martial arts. Ip Man defeats Miura and is later shot in the shoulder. He survives and successfully escapes to Hong Kong with his family as the war ends. Overall, I liked almost every aspect of this film. It was action packed and although the storyline was a little cheesy and cliché it was still captivating. Not once did this movie manage to bore me. The only time the movie was hard to watch was during the one or two sad scenes where someone would die. One thing I noticed is that the death scenes were very emotional and somewhat exaggerated. The cinematography and choreography were very impressive as all of the fight scenes appeared very well practiced and professional. I expected it to be a less serious, more fun movie being about martial arts and such, but it ended up being really good. Also, this movie opened my eyes to the Japanese atrocities towards the Chinese in WWII. I had always heard of them but never really researched them at all and I think this movie did a good job of at least portraying what the typical life of a typical Chinese man was during the second world war. I had heard of this movie before multiple times but never came around to watching it. I'm glad I picked it for my final.