A Legend is Born Ip ManThe Ip Man movies just keep on coming!  This third movie tells the tale of Ip Man’s life in the early years as a young man.

There’s no Donnie Yen, yet Sammo Hung and Louis fan are back with Yuen Biao taking a significant role and even a small appearance by Ip Man’s son himself – Ip Chun.  Ip Chun appears as Leung Bik – a little old man with his own evolved and expanded style of Wing Chun.

The movie begins right from when Ip is a child, first enrolling to study under Master Chan Wah-shun, played by Sammo Hung.  Shortly after beginning however, Chan Wah-sun dies and his school is left to Ng Chung-sok, played by Yuen Biao.

Ng Chung-sok then continues to teach Man through his teenage years.  When Man is old enough he heads off to college in Hong Kong,  once there he gets into a fight with an Englishman after the man proclaims that ‘The Chinese are the sick men of Asia”.  Man proves they are not weak or sick by using his Wing Chun to defeat him in a small fight.

Man becomes well known around town and eventually meets Leung Bik (played by Ip Chun).  Leung Bik teaches Man his version of Wing Chun, incorporating kicks and other movements.  But when Man returns his new style isn’t welcomed by his master.  All the while he meets a young woman and they begin to develop a relationship.

After his older brother’s wedding he helps walk a man home who ends up being murdered.  With Ip Man as the man suspect, he becomes a target of the police while they try to track down the real murderer.  Thus, lots of fighting ensues.

Ip Man

Never let the truth get in the way of a good story!

This will in no way surprise you – but this is not a true story!  Like most of the ‘based on a true story’ movies about famous martial artsists, these days the names and locations are used in the story, but a conflict is added to turn it into an action movie – much like Donnie Yen’s Ip Man movies.

The story isn’t bad however.  (spoilers!) It is interesting and seems pretty grounded until the murder pops up.  Of course we learn that Ip’s older adopted brother was a Japanese spy from the age of 12 and he’s been causing so much of the trouble around town.  This is a little far fetched but a good way to introduce some real action to an otherwise actionless film.

What is interesting is the story that revolves around Man meeting his future wife Cheung – naturally they meet when Ip Man fights off a bully, showing off his awesome Wing Chun skills. She then dreams obsessively about Ip Man for sometime before they meet again, meanwhile Man’s older brother’s girlfriend/wife is also dreaming of Man – naturally she gets a little jealous when Ip Man notices Cheung but eventually she marries Man’s brother Tin-chi.

So we get to see some more personal struggles in this film with the ‘action conflict’ thrown into the mix.  While it’s not on the same level as the two Donnie Yen films, it’s still a good watch.

Wing Chun in action

The Martial Arts and Action

Once again the style of Wing Chun is displayed brilliantly on screen. Right from the beginning we see some technically wing chun movements throughout the training and even the fight scenes.

The fights are fast and entertaining, with that awesome Ip Man style we’re used to.  Although it once again doesn’t quite meet the level of the Donnie Yen’s movies, they are pretty well done and in no way leave you disappointed.

The theme of ‘feeling’ instead of seeing is represented quite well – as in Wing Chun sensitivity of movement is developed through the hands and we are shown this both taught, and applied when Man is fighting his final opponent at the end of the movie.  This kind of reminds me of Bloodsport a little, only done differently as we’re get some idea as to how he is able to fight blind.

The Verdict?

One of the better movies about Ip Man, well worth a watch!

On Blu Ray –

Region A (US & Canada)
The Legend Is Born: Ip Man

On DVD –

Region 1 (US & Canada)
The Legend Is Born: Ip Man

Region 2 (UK, Europe, etc)
The Legend Is Born: Ip Man [DVD]

Region 4 (Australia, New Zealand, etc)
The Legend is Born: Ip Man

More info on Movie Regions here.

25 Martial Arts Movies All Fans Must See - FREE


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