So.....this film is so awesome but in the cheesiest way, it is literally the Chinese version of Rocky 3 and 4 but I don't mind that as I am a huge Rocky fan. Once again I am not sure how historically accurate these films are, but once again the story kept me engaged the entire time and from the first frame with Donnie Yen (Ip Man) you are rooting for him as he is so likeable and you want to see him win.
But this film has the great addition of martial arts movie legend Sammon Hung (Hung Gun-nam), he is perfect in this film as the person who is on top of the martial arts scene in Hong Kong and his relationship with Ip Man is very reminiscent of Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed as they are almost frenemies during this film. Like I said this film is very much like a Rocky film as it has a very cheesy British villain (instead of Russian) and literally the last 30 minutes is a mixture of Rocky Films, but this film is still masterfully put together and that could not have been done without the talent behind the camera.
Ip Man movie fans and martial arts movie fans will not be disappointed and though not as good as the first film, it is still a really great film that I recommend big time. But just remember....SUBS OVER DUBS!!!!!!!
An incredible mediocre movie (sequel) in every level. I felt quite disappointed by this one. Had quite the hopes for this. Don't even know if I'll watch the 3rd one.
The finale fight dragged on a bit but definitely had some really amazing choreography by Sammo Hung on the development of the fight. I also really enjoyed the fish stall fight but I think after watching this movie a second time I enjoyed the finale more than the others. It's too bad they weren't able to show Bruce Lee training with Ip Man due to licensing with the Lee estate. =/
"Master, you really can fight ten men at once."
The fight choreography looks even better than the first one! Donnie Yen is still as charismatic and fierce as before and while I think the first film is slightly better, this is a must watch.
A great standalone "movie". Don't mistake this as even a "loosely-based" biographical film; it's not even close. It's a scripted story, much in the same vein as Rocky 4 (another one of my favorites). Although the fights between the "chinese boxer" and "western boxer" are choreographed beautifull, and they make for some adrenaline-pumping scenes, they are in no way realistic. Western boxers (1) don't move their hands the way this guy was doing, and (2) don't punch anywhere near as fast as this guy was supposedly doing. These fights were choreographed martial arts contests, with one person wearing boxing gloves. If you watch the movements in the two "western vs. chinese" boxing matches, it's very obvious. Unfortunately, that glaring mistake took the shine off an otherwise great film, but in spite of that, it stil had its moments. Yes, it has its "cheesy" moments, but still very well worth giving it a watch.
predictable to a high degree! Fights are awesome though, some of the best in action movies.
The story and the fights, well, although we liked it a little more 1. This is the Chinese equivalent of Rocky IV
Shout by ltcomdataBlockedParent2016-05-13T21:15:03Z
This is the Chinese equivalent of Rocky IV. The Ip Man ends up fighting against a racist and jingoistic British boxer. Given that the British at this time in history had invaded Hong Kong and were not shy about proclaiming their self-believed superiority over the Chinese, this second movie continues to ring the patriotic Chinese themes. It is "Devil outsiders" and their self-described superiority that the Ip Man fights and over whom he triumphs. No mention is made that he is living in Hong Kong because he was escaping the Communist party takeover. In this movie the British --- and by extension all foreigners --- are the evil ones, intruding upon the Chinese culture and value system.
The movie is good as a movie. But it is certainly not history.