IP MAN: A LEGEND BEGINS

Fans of martial arts films were boosted when a star led the way to those films becoming popular in the US by the name of Bruce Lee. Even after his death his name was attached to various movies he wasn’t even a part of with stars altering the spelling of his last name like Li, Le and more. Lee was so huge a star after his passing it seemed like no one would ever be able to take his place. Some came close but for me the only one that matches him in style and skill is Donnie Yen.

In 2008 Yen was given an opportunity to combine his popularity with that of Lee when he made IP MAN. Based on the real person, Ip Man was a grandmaster of the Wing Chun style of fighting. More importantly he was credited as the teacher of a young man named Bruce Lee. His story seemed a natural one to bring to the big screen and it will please fans of martial arts films as well as movie fans. Four films and a side film have stemmed from this project. IP MAN is the first.

The film takes place in 1930 in the Southern town of Foshan, a city where martial arts is the most heralded choice of careers with numerous schools there. Ip Man is independently wealthy with no need to own or operate a school but he is well respected among the rest of his skills. When a martial arts master from Northern China, Jin Shanzhao, comes to town beating most of the masters there, it is Ip Man who uses his skills to take him down.

In 1937 the Japanese invade China and the town of Foshan. They take over Ip Man’s home as their base as well as his fortune. Forced to work to support his family he takes on a job in the local mines run by the Japanese. Li Zhao, an acquaintance of Ip Man and an interpreter for the Japanese, recruits some of the workers to fight in return for privileges. Japanese General Miura is a karate master and feels his form of martial arts is superior to anything the Chinese have. While he may promise much to those who fight here they nearly all die.

A friend of Ip Man is one of the victims of Miura and Ip Man agrees to fight in the arena. Taking on ten men at once he wins the match, his normal quiet demeanor gone as he dispatches the group. His style fascinates Miura who allows him to leave.

Ip Man comes across an old friend named Chow Ching-Chuen who now runs a cotton mill. He takes on Ip Man as a partner and requests his help. It seems a group of rebels are bothering his factory workers and he wants Ip Man to train them to defend themselves. He does so and when the rebels return he comes to their aid to discover that Jin is the rebel leader. Realizing Ip Man is connected to the mill he backs down.

Miura becomes angry that Ip Man hasn’t returned to the arena and sends his men to collect him. Attacking his wife Ip Man takes on all three men and his family is now on the run. At the same time Jin has told the Japanese about the connection Ip Man has to the mill and they send men to arrest him. Charging Chow with taking care of his family, Ip Man returns to face Miura.

Miura wants Ip Man to teach his troops but he refuses. Instead he challenges Miura to a fight in the town square. To turn down the challenge would result in disgrace. Thinking himself the better fighter Miura agrees. The climactic battle follows.

Two things make this movie completely different than most martial arts movies we’ve seen arrive in the US. The first is the depth of story. This is no simple tale of two martial arts schools fighting one another or of a good guy/bad guy duel. Those elements are included but not the main focus. This film takes those tired tropes and wraps them up in a bit of history from the life of Ip Man (who one has to believe is embellished here) to the invasion of Japan into China. These inclusions make this a more well-rounded film that even those who aren’t fans of martial arts movies will enjoy.

The second is the performance of Donnie Yen. Already and established star by the time he made this film he brings to it a grace in his performance that is needed to convey the man that Ip Man was. For him it wasn’t about fame and it wasn’t about putting his abilities on display or demanding respect. Instead he was confident in himself and those abilities. His movement into martial arts teaching was not one that he sought but of necessity with what was taking place in his life.

The movie makes a great starting point for the entire series, all of which are equally entertaining. The fight choreography is amazing as is the small amount of wire work on display. In addition to that the cinematography is wonderful, especially during the fight sequences choosing to display both combatants rather than the terrible use in western films these days of close ups during fights. This is a movie worth seeking out and then following it up with the sequels.

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