Review of Ip Man (2008) by Bheema D — 31 Jan 2015

This movie's ability to tell a story through it's high speed action is undeniably impressive. But umm...what's the story it's trying to tell? Is it the rise and fall and rise again story? If so, Edmond Wong had no idea how to write one.

Is it a story about defending the honor of your homeland? If that's it, then there couldn't be a more cliche way to tell it. Is it a tribute to classic martial arts films? If that was it, wouldn't it be way more lighthearted, fun and absurd? Maybe the seriousness of the film indicates that it's a period piece about occupied China in the 30s and 40s.

But you certainly didn't tell that story well. I hate to tell you this, but as far as literary content goes, this is a couple steps above Naruto. And the racism doesn't help. I understand you're pissed, the Japanese did some fucked up shit.

But imagine a holocaust movie from the perspective of a Jew where he says "Germans don't deserve the wisdom of The Torah" or some hot garbage like that. Yeah. Our antagonist has sympathetic elements and obstacles, our protagonist seems invincible at many points, and the structure is way off.

Ultimately, whatever you could get out of this movie you could get better from watching kung-fu in a competitive setting.