By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Herman Yau
Starring: Fan Siu-wong | Huang Yi | Ip Chun | Lam Suet | Rose Chan | Sammo Hung | To Yu-hang | Yuen Biao
Original language title: Yip Man: Chinchyung
Country: hong_kong
Year: 2013
Running time: 100
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1641638/combined
Kyle says: “The immense popularity of the two Ip Man movies, starring Donnie Yen and directed by Wilson Yip, made a sequel inevitable; but what we actually got was a fanciful prequel starring charismatic Wing Chun expert To Yu-hang (also known as Dennis To). Ip Man (1893-1972) was a famous martial artist and teacher of Wing Chun kung fu. ‘The Wing Chun Code of Conduct, said to have originated with Leung Jan and passed to the current generation by Ip Man, serves as a reminder to all practitioners that their martial art represents more than just fighting. It requires the acceptance of a strong moral philosophy framed in courage, honor, ethics, and humble etiquette. Wing Chun must be preserved for warriors, not bullies and braggarts. Living this code of honor is the way of the warrior.’ Thus explains a translation of a marble display hanging at the Hong Kong Athletic Association.
“As a boy, Ip Man is advised to always focus on what you feel, not what you see. He has obvious gifts for martial arts and is sent for his studies from China to Hong Kong. There he receives lessons in Wing Chun techniques from elderly coach Leung Bik, played by Ip Chun, the real-life son of Ip Man. The young man resolves to start his own school of mixed martial arts techniques after graduation. But upon his return home, his master (Yuen Biao) is outraged by his student’s improvisatory, seemingly undisciplined kung fu, and his one-time girlfriend has hooked up with his former best friend and brother by adoption (Fan Siu-Wong), now a successful local businessman. Personal problems as well as arguments over proper Wing Chun technique must be
placed aside, however, because of an invasion by Japanese spies and ninjas, as issues of family sacrifice and betrayal so central to the Hong Kong cinema are revealed. The climactic sequence with action choreography by Bruce Leung must be seen to be believed.
“The always entertaining program booklet notes, mostly written by Subway Cinema Board President Grady Hendrix, a one-man goodwill ambassador, cheerleader and HK cinema expert par excellence, are irresistible: ‘The result is a no-frills action flick that eliminates the myth-making of Wilson Yip’s two Ip Man movies to deliver a showcase for some of the best martial artists who forgot to bring chewing gum and are instead going to have to settle for kicking ass.’ Lead actor To Yu-hang brings a proper sense of gravitas to his Wing Chun technique and to his acting, while distinguished director Herman Yau masterfully oversees both the narrative arc and the eye-popping combat details. 4 cats
“Seen Saturday, June 29, 2013, New York Asian Film Festival at the Walter Reade Theater, Film Society of Lincoln Center, New York.”