Review of Ip Man: The Final Fight (2013) by Vivian L — 18 Jan 2014

So now we have three major HK actors playing: Donnie Yen, Tony Leung, and now Anthony Wong. While the first two played the younger ready-to-fight Wing Tsun master, Wong's Ip Man is an older martial artist that displays airs of wisdom and gentility.

His journey through as an immigrant to Hong Kong in the 1950's shows the tumultuous era, full with labor strikes, corrupt cops, and emerging technology. Fights are bound to happen, but Anthony Wong's Ip Man tries his best to avoid it if possible. The movie even shows his literary side.

The movie shows the difficulty of being a teacher to students who are too eager to use what they have learned. In some ways, it's also an exercise of training new actors, as Anthony Wong patiently gives much screen time to younger stars. But we all know that Wong has the toughest job, especially with the Fo-Shan accent.

The movie is beautifully shot. The camera pans softly and in HD, highlights all the little details of the 1950's apartments in Hong Kong. They even tried to recreate Kowloon City, the most dense living project of its time - rife with crime of course.

The Final Fight is slow at times, but I appreciated it. I don't see it as an action film, but more of a biography or historical film. It's great to see the sets and the outfits of the time. Just don't expect jump kicks all day in this one.