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Yip Man (2008)

8.1
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Ratings: 8.1/10 from 97,943 users   Metascore: 59/100
Reviews: 127 user | 92 critic | 9 from Metacritic.com

A semi-biographical account of Yip Man, the first martial arts master to teach the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun.

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Title: Yip Man (2008)

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Cast

Credited cast:
...
...
Chow Ching-Chuen
Ka Tung Lam ...
Captain Lei Chiu
...
Jin Shan Zhao / Kam Shan-Chau
...
Cheung Wing-Sing
Hiroyuki Ikeuchi ...
Yu Xing ...
Master Zealot Lam
Chen Zhi Hui ...
Master Lau
You-Nam Wong ...
Sa Dam Yun
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Zhang Bo ...
Jin Shan Zhao's underling
Li Chak ...
Yip Chun (as Li Ze)
Siu-Kwan Chan ...
Waiter
Xu Chuan-Jian ...
Cotton Mill Worker
Shi De-Qiang ...
Southern master
Yu-Lam Fan ...
Cotton Mill Worker
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Storyline

In 1935 in Foshan, south China, there are martial arts schools on every street corner. Ip Man is the undisputed martial arts champion, yet he has not devoted himself to teaching. Despite this, it seems that all the kung fu masters of the city are eager to fight him to improve their reputation. Written by Riccardo Amadori

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

martial arts | master | general | fight | china | See more »

Taglines:

In the last great war one man defied an empire... See more »


Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

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Language:

| |

Release Date:

12 December 2008 (China)  »

Also Known As:

Yip Man  »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

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Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Hiroyuki Ikeuchi (who played the Japanese general) suffered a mild concussion during filming, after being struck four times during a fight scene. See more »

Goofs

Although the movie takes place in the 1930s, in the factory showdown with Ip Man, Jin Shanzhao is shown wearing modern-day jungle boots of the sort worn by today's soldiers, especially visible when Ip Man slams his foot with his long staff. See more »

Quotes

Ip Man: [Facing the Northerner Ip Man adopts his combat stance with an unsettling mixture of mettle and serenity] Wing Chun, Ip Man.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Dragon (2011) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Energetic & brilliant HK action drama
18 December 2008 | by (New Zealand) – See all my reviews

This is Donnie Yen's best acting piece for awhile now, and he still delivers the action sequences brilliantly. At 44 years of age, he looks so energetic, confident and charismatic. I believe the combination of Yen, Sammo Hung and Wilson Yip is the right choice for this particular film and fighting style. Wing Chun is best depicted without the flamboyant ballet of acrobatics often seen in other wushu films.

The movie doesn't dwell on historical accuracy, but rather use that settings to set the mood, deliver the message and simply tells you the life journey of a Grandmaster in an fun and entertaining way.

I remember that Richard Attenborough said (regarding Gandhi) that there was no way a director/movie maker could encompass and depict a person's life journey in only a 2 or 3-hour movie. But rather one should aim to emulate the spirit of that person, and the message/lesson of his story. I think this movie does that, with a quality production that raised the bar for period drama.

My rating is missing 1 point because I feel that there were plot devices that had been done-to-death before in other movies like: Fists of Fury, Fearless, Kill Bill, etc. However, Yip Man simply turns the notch to a higher sound-beating level.

Don't miss this on the big screen!


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