Review of The Grandmaster (2013) by Alejandro R — 26 Apr 2014

An interesting cinematic style that is sometimes a beautiful tapestry of deep emotion and intense action interwoven with pinnacle historical shifts. Sometimes the visuals in the early fight scenes feel like a bit much, as it seems to be trying to make too strong an impression early in the film. Given everything that the film tries to express, it sometimes feels like a fantastic mess as it can bounce back and forth. The fight scenes are largely well-choreographed and impressive and I of course have to admit a bias toward that direction, as well as the fact that I've studied with two of Bruce Lee's students in the art of Jeet Kune Do. That being said, I still think it's a fine film, but just not a really great film.

The biographical telling sometimes also greatly differs from the film Ip Man, which leaves me wondering which is accurate or were they both fictionalized with certain pieces. I think Ip Man is overall a better film.