Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
Amazon.ca
One of the most astonishing displays of martial arts action on film in recent years, Wilson Yip's Ip Man chronicles the life of the eponymous Wing Chun master (Donnie Yen), who would later become instructor and mentor to Bruce Lee. Fans of Ronny Yu's Fearless, with Jet Li, will notice several similarities between the biopics--like Li's Huo Yuanjia, Ip Man is a tireless instructor whose life, largely consisting of training and jaw-dropping spar sessions with any and all, is thrown into chaos with the arrival of Japanese military forces in 1937. He soon draws the interest of the commanding Japanese colonel (Hiroyuki Ikeuchi), who exploits the starving locals by forcing them against his trainees for bags of rice. Ip must then pit his extraordinary Wing Chun against the colonel's karate for his own dignity, as well as the soul of his people.
Were Yip's film simply a series of set pieces featuring Yen's incredible fighting skills, Ip Man would rank among the best martial arts films of the past three decades; the fight choreography, by Hong Kong legend Sammo Hung and Tony Leung Siu-hung (with consultation by Ip's own son, Ip Chun), offers the same sort of eye-popping, rewind-required fist and footwork that Ip's disciple, Bruce Lee, inspired in the '70s, and Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Tony Jaa displayed in subsequent years; a battle between Ip and 10 black belts, in particular, requires multiple views to absorb the speed and deftness on display. But Ip Man also succeeds as a historical drama inspired by the harsh realities of the Japanese occupation of mainland China, as well as an acting showcase for Yen, who embodies Ip's formidable physical and emotional strengths.. --Paul Gaita
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By E. Lysionok
Format:Blu-ray
After reading almost unanimously positive reviews for this film, I thought I'd pick it up. I've also been practicing Wing Chun for ~7 years, so from that perspective, I was interested to watch the film.
To start, the Blu-Ray version seems to have some technical problems. Fast forwarding, accessing menus (there don't appear to be any) and other aberrant behavior made me wonder if I'd actually get to watch the film at all. I've never had problems with any other Blu-Ray film I've purchased.
As a result, I was not able to choose sub-title options, and had to make do with the dubbed English version, which makes it look/sound like one of those old 1970s Kung Fu movies.
While the action sequences are engrossing, the plot is tired, thin and predictable. Clearly, the Chinese still harbour deep resentment towards the Japanese for atrocities committed from 1935 onwards and this film trots out those old sterotypes a la Bruce Lee's "Chinese Connection". As soon as the characters are identified (e.g. Japanese general who happens to be karate master, sadistic Japanese colonel,etc.), you pretty much know how things are going to turn out. Interestingly enough, the actor who plays the Japanese general has strikingly Western features, so that might be additional real-world commentary from the film makers.
Spoiler alert: My next comments will give away some of the plot, but you probably figured it out already.
In terms of historical accuracy, I wouldn't treat this film as gospel. For instance, Ip Man never fought a martial arts tournament with a Japanese general. But hey, it's a Kung Fu movie, so all reality bets are off.
Enjoy,
To start, the Blu-Ray version seems to have some technical problems. Fast forwarding, accessing menus (there don't appear to be any) and other aberrant behavior made me wonder if I'd actually get to watch the film at all. I've never had problems with any other Blu-Ray film I've purchased.
As a result, I was not able to choose sub-title options, and had to make do with the dubbed English version, which makes it look/sound like one of those old 1970s Kung Fu movies.
While the action sequences are engrossing, the plot is tired, thin and predictable. Clearly, the Chinese still harbour deep resentment towards the Japanese for atrocities committed from 1935 onwards and this film trots out those old sterotypes a la Bruce Lee's "Chinese Connection". As soon as the characters are identified (e.g. Japanese general who happens to be karate master, sadistic Japanese colonel,etc.), you pretty much know how things are going to turn out. Interestingly enough, the actor who plays the Japanese general has strikingly Western features, so that might be additional real-world commentary from the film makers.
Spoiler alert: My next comments will give away some of the plot, but you probably figured it out already.
In terms of historical accuracy, I wouldn't treat this film as gospel. For instance, Ip Man never fought a martial arts tournament with a Japanese general. But hey, it's a Kung Fu movie, so all reality bets are off.
Enjoy,
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Movie is a must have for any Ip man fan you will enjoy it!
I was very eager to receive the movie and it seem to take a very long time
I received it the very last day they predicted... weeks, disappointed with shipping.
Received in good condition.
I was very eager to receive the movie and it seem to take a very long time
I received it the very last day they predicted... weeks, disappointed with shipping.
Received in good condition.
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This movie is so incredible! Action packed! Finaly an action packed movie with no "dirt" in it!!! Donnie Yen does an incredible job! Loved it!!!!
Want to see more reviews on this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 440 reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
IP Man
Always a fan of martial arts. To learn that this was based on a true story and to learn that this man was a teacher of Bruce Lee was an another bonus. Read more
Published 17 months ago by rlboucher47
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love the movie!
Amazing film. I enjoyed every minute of it. The story in the movie is amazing...you just want to watch it over and over again because it's a true story. Read more
Published 20 months ago by heide
4.0 out of 5 stars
excellent movie
This movie is excellent, i would suggest it for people who are fans of kung fu for sure. it adequately highlights Ip Man's life and his career in martial arts. Read more
Published on May 16 2011 by shane
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie
When I saw it for the first time I knew I had to buy it.
Ip Man is amost carbon copy of how I am taught. Read more
Ip Man is amost carbon copy of how I am taught. Read more
Published on May 6 2011 by Onno van Santen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Donnie Yen captures the spirit of a GrandMaster
Donnie Yen portrays Grandmaster Ip Man in a brilliant light, capturing his famed sense of subtle humor and his passion for martial arts, his devotion to his family and pride in his... Read more
Published on Jan 25 2011 by naomisarah
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best biopic evar
this movie inspired me to start martial art with determination and the sequel is as good a must for Martial art fans
Published on Oct 13 2010 by Panizzi Lou
2.0 out of 5 stars
Movie was okay, but that's all.
The movie was okay. A simple, yet elegant plot. The subtitles and English dubbing were a joke. The fight choreography was an okay blend of realism and theatrics. Read more
Published on Oct 11 2010 by Lauri-John
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Movie
This is really a great movie with a great story and high quality fighting.
but the quality of the english subtitles, the translation, could have been better.
but the quality of the english subtitles, the translation, could have been better.
Published on Oct 4 2010 by S. Joyal
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great Movie, Mediocre Subtitles
As other reviewers have described, this is a very good movie.
I was extremely disappointed in the subtitles, however. Read more
I was extremely disappointed in the subtitles, however. Read more
Published on Sep 9 2010 by bds
3.0 out of 5 stars
Movie 5 Stars. Disc quality 1 star
This disc would not work in my panasonic blu ray player even though the firmware was up to date. Froze right at the menu. Played on my PS3 and the movie was great. Read more
Published on Sep 8 2010 by M. Larocque
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
