Ip Man 2: Review By AlaskaLoneWolf

There are few fives in my book. As anyone will tell you, I tend to be extremely picky when it comes to saying that a movie is that good. Lately most storytellers making movies seem to have lost that something special that made cinematography an art form. Of course, this is only my opinion, what do I know anyways. But I will tell you this, when I see a movie this good I have to write a review.

Let's start off with stating the obvious. Most movies aren't historically accurate a hundred percent of the time. Who cares? In fact, that is probably what is the difference between a movie per se, with that of a doc*mentary. This is a movie. It has a superbly drafted story arc. The acting was a surprise, being equally as impressive. Although the semi-biographical martial arts film loosely based on the life of the grandmaster of Wing Chun, it does reveal key points which are, in fact milestones in the evolution of all martial arts. This flick has some of the all-time best martial arts choreography ever captured, by any film, ever.

The direction by Wilson Yip, shows a promising future for all martial arts movies. Especially considering all the other films which have been made on location in Hong Kong; this cast stands apart, as they walk with us through a world which is under British colonial rule during post World War II. This amazing director brings us incredible visuals as the hero, a husband and father tries to propagate his discipline of Wing Chun. The main character, is first seen practicing his art, alone at sunrise, having fled his hometown of Foshan with his son and pregnant wife. Once a wealthy man, now facing outright poverty and being homeless, he continues to do whatever he can to provide for his own family. The story shows his struggle, while always making every sacrifice for his wife and son. As the story unfolds, he faces constant challenges from other practitioners, including the Hong Kong underworld of organized crime, a local fish merchant slash master of Hung Ga martial arts.

As a master, he has difficulty attracting students due to his lack of reputation in the huge city of Hong Kong. His first student, Wong Leung appears and agrees to pay for his instruction only if beaten first in a fight. Wong leaves humiliated, only to return with some friends to gang up on him. They are defeated as well. Stunned and impressed by his skills, Wong and his friends become the first students. Posting promotional posters for the school, a huge fight is provoked by some Hung Ga students. They take a hostage in revenge and demand a ransom. One of the greatest scenes is the master sitting in front of his new students, trying to figure out what to do.

The confrontation with a growing mob of Hung Ga students goes off in the fish market. Wong is rescued by this master, only after they both fight their way outside to meet Jin Shanzhao - the martial artist and former bandit in the first film - who comes to their rescue with his own gang. Hung Chun-nam, arrives to break up the fight. They are allowed to leave, only after being informed that before setting up any sort of school, he will have to prove himself during a special fighting ceremony.

Probably one of the best fighting sequences of all time. Trying to put the scene into words is sort of like trying to explain to a person born blind what the color green looks like.

After fighting a few masters of other schools during this "ceremony" the collection of money is requested in order to join their ranks. He refuses and told that he is on his own. The movie climaxes after his school is forced to close, his wife goes into labor, after Wing Chun itself is put to the test against Western "boxing" in a fight to the death. The money being extorted from the people by Wallace, with the local Chinese police chief who arrange fixed fights.

The event's star boxer, Taylor "The Twister" Milos, openly insults and attacks the students, including everyone who has ever been born in, or has went to China. This causes chaos, as the masters try to restore order. The corruptions are revealed, as members of the press are arrested, some beaten senseless. The enraged Chinese populace during the ensuing scandals spurs Wallace to hold a press conference, where "Twister" states he will accept any challenge from the Chinese.

In another of all-time greatest lines in any movie, the master from Foshan walks through the crowd, which promptly falls silent, looks around waiting, their eyes meet, as the master of eight words dispels such a huge conflict, standing alone to accept the challenge,

"Will you light joss stick or shall I..."

And yeah, he beats the guy to smithereens.

A final scene shows Ip being introduced to a boy who wishes to study Wing Chun. Yeah, it's Bruce Lee. The master smiles and simply tells the boy to come back when he is older. Best movie ever.

The End.