IP MAN (Hong Kong, 2008)
Directed by: Wilson Yip
Starring: Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Fan Siu-wong

Hong Kong makes a lot of martial arts movies. Hong Kong was also the hometown for Bruce Lee, one of the world’s most iconic martial artists. So why doesn’t Hong Kong make martial arts movies about Bruce Lee? Because his image is tightly controlled by his family. So directors have rushed for the next best thing: the story of Bruce Lee’s master, Ip Man. Wong Kar-wai has an Ip Man project all lined up starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai and there’s been a race to get the film into theaters with director Wilson Yip (SPL, FLASHPOINT) who had an Ip Man project lined up with Donnie Yen. Well, Wilson Yip won, and IP MAN is the result. Wong Kar-wai’s project may be a lot more restrained and tasteful and probing, but give Wilson Yip and Donnie Yen credit because they’ve turned in a rip-roaring, action jammed old school kung fu flick that might just be the best action movie to come out of Hong Kong in years.

Foshan, 1935: Ip Man is a happy guy who lives in a nice house with his wife and kid, occasionally resorting to a little kung fu to teach folks what’s what. He can take apart a gun or beat down a punk with a “Please,” an “After you,” and a “Thank you for letting me win.” Enter Fan Siu-wong playing Master Jin, a redneck kung fu killer looking to set up shop on Dojo Street after beating all the local martial artists. He tears through them like they’re a bunch of paper napkins while Donnie and his wife sit in their garden and snip at each other while discussing the weather. Master Jin’s path of destruction leads him to Donnie’s doorstep and he accepts the challenge with his wife offering one rule, “Don’t break anything.” And it’s on. Donnie is the chiropractor, giving adjustments and aligning spines with his rock hammer fists. He’s an advocate of Wing Chun, a softer southern style that was invented by a nun and is considered kiddie stuff. But after you taste his rock hammer fists you won’t be calling him a sissy.

Then the Japanese arrive. Uh-oh, it’s World War II. Like the real Ip Man, Donnie refuses to teach the Japanese wing chun. Unlike the real Ip Man he offers up his rejection by taking on a dozen Japanese karate experts and beating them to dust. It’s an ode to Chinese honor and nationalism that would be hard to swallow if it wasn’t executed with such class and style. Simon Yam is on hand as a factory manager and friend to Ip Man who asks for help in protecting his establishment from local bandits and even Donnie Yen, who usually does poorly in these kind of movies that require acting, turns in a dignified and classy performance. At the end of a fight, like a pugilist Dr. Phil, he even lectures his foes on how to fix their personality problems. But when he puts on his Business Face, that’s how you know it’s Business Time.

This is a high point for all involved: a rip-snorting action movie that features peerless martial arts from real martial artists like Donnie Yen, Fan Siu-wong and the evil Japanese commandant played by Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, a real life judo expert. There’s nothing disappointing here, and it’s a throwback to the days when Jet Li and Jackie Chan were doing their best work in good old Hong Kong. And, of course, the film ends with Ip Man on his way to Hong Kong to meet his future student, Bruce Lee.