IMDb #219 Review: Ip Man (2008)

Source: Wikipedia

In China, the 1930s, kung-fu masters practice their art despite twentieth-century industrialization and increasing prevalence of firearms. Packs of ruffians still rove the countryside and challenge masters for their schools. Only Ip Man — a small, humble, egregiously overpowered Wing Chun grandmaster — can defend his defeated friends. But we like egregiously overpowered.

The world sparkles with color and humor and energy. Typical kung-fu antics abound.

For the first thirty minutes.

Surprise! World War II happens. (Frankly, the Chinese were surprised too.)

The color drains. The energy dissipates. The frivolity disappears and leaves an aching void. Japanese armies march over China; cowards submit to their service.

Languishing in squalor, kung-fu masters beg for work shoveling coal. Formerly wealthy Ip Man struggles to provide for his wife and young son.

But the occupying Japanese general remembers the city’s reputation for martial arts. He summons Chinese martial artists to challenge the Japanese style.

The result is what you'd expect. People fight, people die. Enraged by senseless violence, our hero resurges from retirement to deliver sensible violence.

The effects punch through your eyeballs so the story can grab you by the heart and squeeze.

Actually, this film attains a peculiar balance. The fight sequences are spectacular, but they aren't the whole focus. The hero has a family to mind. He inspires courage by standing up for his people’s honor in the face of almost certain death. And leaves the quislings quivering in their boots.

The best part? This story is true. (Mostly.)

108 minutes.