Review of The Grandmaster (2013) by Sid A — 25 Apr 2013

As many may be more familiar with the 2008 movie Ip Man starring Donnie Yen, which was a semi-autobiographical telling of the legendary Wing Chun Kung-Fu expert that went on to teach Bruce Lee, do not expect anything of the same.

Although this visually enticing mood-piece from iconic director Wong Kar-Wai opens with an epic fight sequence in the rain, where Ip Man (played by Tony Leung) faces armed mobsters and MMA expert Cung Le in a cameo, the film has a completely different tone and setting from the 2008 Wilson Yip movie.

The film focuses on a completely fictional tale about missed chances, regret, incomplete love, vengeance and more over - the philosophy of martial arts. The films' emphasis is fixated on the yearn for passed glory, melancholy, and how the meaning of being a martial artist truly reflects on the daily life of people, and how they cope with change, especially as their lives are altered by the arrival of Japanese occupation during the Second World War.

One of my favourite scenes being where 2 elderly kung fu experts discuss what the burden of martial fame and glory can have on a man's life, whilst implying the need for change watching a stew being made stating 'The fire is ready for a new piece of wood.

' As far as kung fu action goes, Yuen Woo-Ping does his usual magic when choreographing some well-executed pieces of martial artistry, my personal favourite sequence being where Ip Man is initiated by the grandmasters, various displays of different kung-fu forms in an illuminating brothel set piece.

What really had me drawn to the sequence was by facing these different styles, the philosophy of martial arts and true meaning of kung-fu are emphasized - which is rarely seen within martial arts cinema.

The cinematography like all of Wong Kar-Wai's films is captivating, luscious and full of visual seduction, also being the first film Wong has directed without using cinematographer Christopher Doyle since 1991, Philippe Le Sourd proves a worthy replacement helping capture these amazing visuals coupled with Frankie Chan's moody score and William Chang's precise editing.

The performances are captivating - although Tony Leung may not be a fluent martial artist as Donnie Yen, he handles action well and brings emotion to his character with ease, which is complimented by Zhang Ziyi's endearing turn as Gong Er, a martial arts expert whose metamorphosis is displayed through her choices for vengeance over a stable life.

This has to be the first 5-star movie of the year for me as it is like a visceral painting full of mood and emotions, and well-captured action and martial artistry compelling the viewer to think. A thinking man's kung-fu movie from one of the most accomplished filmmakers.