I am not Mr. Kung Fu connoisseur, but I do enjoy a good one from time to time. This was certainly a good time, despite a few flaws. Overall, the fights were very entertaining. These were kind of realistic by kung fu standards (not by, you know, realism standards) and they were shot in a great way by showing us the whole thing.

The story was... interesting. Yes, it is based on a real person's life, but I think they took a few liberties on how to portray that reality. The opening is certainly upbeat. Then, suddenly, we go into depression mode. Both are good in my book, but a little weird being right next to each other. The acting is a bit rough except for Donnie Yen. He was really good, and I understand how he got cast for Rogue One.

Then there is the end. So I get it, they want to make it a big finale. But come on, you can't have something serious happen followed by "Don't worry, it all went ok." text on the screen. However, I did enjoy the way they handled the final fight.

If you're into kung fu, or looking for some different action, I'd recommend it. Then, if you like this one, there are 2 sequels and a prequel to watch as well.

I am going to try and keep this short, Ip Man is some really amazing cinema and though I don't know the accuracy of the story, I have to say that this is the type of film where every frame is a painting and something that I loved in this film was how when the scenes tone was less colourful the director actually takes the colour out of the frame to make sure the viewer understands the magnitude of the scene.

Another thing that needs to be talked about is Donnie Yen as Ip Man, this man is a phenomenal actor and having not seen him in lots (I am trying to change that) I could feel his emotional pain or happiness in all of his scenes. Lastly, the action in this film is absolutely amazing and having someone like Sammo Hung working on the action definitely helps, but this film is more than martial arts as it is emotional and it tries to show the struggles of the people from the region in this film (though a little one-sided).

What else can I say but if you are looking for a great martial arts films with great acting and a great story, then this is the one for you.

But just remember.......Subs over Dubs!!!!!!!

Semi-biographical movie about Ip Man. The movie mostly covers the period of the Japanese invasion of China. The plot is conveniently contrived to pit the Ip Man against a Japanese General gifted in the Japanese martial arts. And the Japanese general is --- as the bad guy of the movie --- brutal, but honorable, though utterly convinced of the Japanese superiority over the Chinese. Hence, the showdown at the end of the movie is cast as a duel between the Chinese and the Japanese culture, which Ip Man wins.

As a point of history, the Japanese invaders really were quite sadistic and cruel, and they really did have the idea that they were much superior to the peoples they conquered. This film is at pains to show that the opposite is true --- that the Chinese culture that was conquered by Japan was nonetheless nobler. As such, the film is trying to promote Chinese patriotism. But, as all other material created to manufacture patriotism in every culture, the film unambiguously links patriotism to the current government. This is seen most clearly at the end of the film, where out of nowhere the Ip Man is editorialized as a great Chinese citizen who somehow fought for "unity". The theme of unity appears nowhere in the film, except in the editorial at the end. Of course, it shouldn't escape the viewer that the current Chinese government is very much interested in fomenting the unity of all Chinese under the current Communist government. I suppose that such shameless editorializing in favor of the current government must be included in Chinese films if they are ever to see the light of day. But, I wonder how they will handle this in Ip Man 2? After all, the Ip Man flees Foshan to Hong Kong precisely because he is escaping the Communist Party's takeover of government and violent suppression of Chinese culture. How will the 2nd film show Ip Man to be a patriotic communist given his actually historically-lived life? And what does this film --- Ip Man --- say when its point is supposed to be that the same Chinese culture that the Communist Party suppressed is very noble and deserving of admiration? The editorializing at the end of the film truly does not fit the movie at all.

But the cinematography was amazing, truly a work of art. And the actress that played the wife of the Ip Man is breath-takingly beautiful --- especially in her traditional dress. When this kind of elegant Chinese dress was lost to modernity the world became that much uglier.

Probably my secondmost favorite movie of all times. I've watched this countless times, know how the story goes, know how the fights go, know how the movie ends...yet it never gets old. It's the age-old story of perservering when everything is against you, the odds seem stacked gigantically against you, and even those you thought you knew seem to turn traitor and disown you. I read a few of the nitpicky comments here about the accuracy of the story, the sound track, all the different _"this wasn't right, I didn't like that, I would've done it this way....wah wah wah..."_ crybaby comments from all the wannabe's who think they're the next Steven Spielberg. All I have to say is, **WHAT. EVER.** You want to nitpick an amazing movie because of something you don't like, some music that doesn't give you a woody, or a fight scene you think you could've choreographed better...Go play with your _Barbie Invades Disneyland_ movies and sip pretend tea with Mrs. Nesbitt. Leave this movie alone. Was it flawless? No. If you're looking for "flawless", don't watch movies; don't watch TV. News flash: They're all fake. Stick to your Animal Planet or Discovery Channel and see if you can find a show that agrees with YOUR point of view. Leave the commenting and critiquing to those of us who can truly appreciate the art behind a good PRODUCTION.

This was a great story, and whether you know - or appreciate - anything about martial arts, this isn't a martial arts movie; this is a movie about the founder of one of the most graceful, eloquent, yet powerful arts in the martial arts: Wing Chun. This is a semi-"BioPic", based loosely on the life of Ip Man. It's an amazing film, and I don't see how anyone could be disappointed in this one.

The rest of you crybabies go change your poopy pants and leave us grown-ups to converse in peace.