Ip Man = Jaw Dropping Awesomeness

Let me preface this article by saying I'm kind of a Kung Fu movie junkie. I love them, I've grown up watching them, they've shaped my life in one way or another, and I'm a functional addict. Matter of fact, "Kung Fu" movie isn't exactly accurate, while it is one of my favorite sub-genres to watch, I'm pretty much in love with all martial arts movies. From the good to the awful...like Gymkatta (who remembers this flick?) awful...I love them all.

Last night I had the distinct pleasure of watching this...

This is called Ip Man...as in Ip Man Wing Chun for those in the know. This biopic follows the life of Ip Man, one of the greatest martial arts teachers and instructors in modern day history. As a refrence...Bruce Lee was Ip Man's student....and not his best. Ip man, throughout his life as a martial arts teacher has a lineage of students that has surpassed 2,000,000 people. So, in other words...dude is top fucking notch in his field. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yip_Man

The focus of this movie is WWII china and the Japanese occupation. Ip man is forced to make some hard choices for himself and his family. All in all from the "plot" aspect of this movie, it wasn't bad (as Kung Fu movies tend to be), might not win any awards, but it will certainly keep your interest. As for the Biography aspect, I'm unclear on how much of what they show is true, but I'm sure much of it is for dramatic effect...just like 99% of every other biopic out there.

Where this beacon of badassery really shines brightest is in the fight scenes. Some of you may have seen Wing Chun in action before or at least seen some of the drills. Youtube wing chun for reference. However, many Kung FU movies (when focused on a specific style or system) tend to do a poor job of showing you the awesome destructive power of the art. Ip Man most certainly does not disappoint in this aspect. There is a scene that left me gawking at the screen because even as someone who has been on the receiving end of specific different martial arts and their power, I have never seen anything as raw and powerful as what they show in this movie. Granted, many movies take a certain fantasy approach to mayhem and destruction, martial arts movies are no different. However, based on what I know and understand of Wing Chun (from studying it for the better part of the last 3 years) that they took very little liberty in showing what would happen if someone went full bore and with no restrictions to their opponents well being let alone their life. Example...there is a scene where Donnie Yen (Ip Man) hits his opponent ion the face, throat, and body no less than 25 times...in the span of about 10 seconds. in another part he has some poor bastard on the ground and he is laying punch after punch across their face with the same ball dropping speed.

The awesomness...   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qhPDEOYbx4

I highly recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys a good Kung Fu movie. For the Hardcores, the practitioners, you will not be disappointed with their portrayal of Wing Chun. For those looking for a bunch of dudes in robes kicking ass, you'll be pleased, there's a fair amount of that too.

On a scale of 10 I give this movie a 12.5. Mainly because it had me reaching for my remote to rewind certain scenes because my eyes and my brain were not in agreement on what I just saw. Seriously, watch this movie if you're down with the WAZZZZAHHH Kung Fu movies. From a historical standpoint...if you're a Bruce lee fan, and want a small glimpse into how bad ass Bruce's teacher was, you'll enjoy it.

I know this will be one that I will own very soon and will watch over and over again.

Cheers and have a great fucking day!

Chet Chesterson