Every year in New York City, the fantastic people at Subway Cinema and Japan Cuts bring film-goers three weeks of unadulterated, uncensored and unbridled films from Asia in the form of the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF). This year we will be doing coverage for the NYAFF, bringing you reviews of some of the highlighted films and interviews with actors and directors appearing at the festival. And what better way to start off the NYAFF, then with the explosive kung-fu powerhouse sequel Ip Man 2.
The original Ip Man was a critically acclaimed semi-autobiographical film that topped box offices and was nominated for 12 Hong Kong Film Awards, winning awards for Best Film and Best Action Choreography. Donnie Yen plays the titular character based on the real life Yip Man, a grandmaster of the martial art Wing Chun and the first person to teach the art openly. He’s also famous for being the instructor of Bruce Lee, who championed the Wing Chun method of fighting before developing his own unique variation of the technique. Ip Man focused on the backdrop of the 1937 Japanese invasion, as Master Ip defended the honor of the Chinese people from a tyrannical colonel, who was also a master of the Japanese martial art Karate.
Ip Man 2 starts literally on the heels of where the first film ends. As it should, considering it was announced before the original film hit theaters. After their escape from the Japanese, Master Ip and his pregnant wife ( Lynn Hung) have founded the first public school of Wing Chun kung fu in the backdrop of 1950s Hong Kong. Master Ip is eager to teach but disappointed that no new disciples are signing up for his classes. There is a reason for this: rival grandmaster Hung Chun-nam (played with grace and dignity by Sammo Hung) who, at 58, is fast as lightning, runs the kung-fu gambit by extorting local schools and paying off corrupt British police.
Bruce Lee with Yip Man
This all leads to the turning point in the film, where Ip must prove his worth among his peers, the other grandmasters of the Hong Kong Kung Fu styles, and defend the sacred art of Wing Chun. The film, for those familiar with the first, really is all about the fighting which is so brilliant you cannot help but be bowled over by the insane acrobatics and reflexes of the film’s star Donnie Yen. Equally impressive is Sammo Hung, who also choreographed the combat, playing the nemesis opponent with the ferocity and passion of a true martial arts master.
Ip Man 2 is a sequel that truly delivers the goods in every aspect possible, doubling the visceral impact of the first (which is seriously impressive). Watching films like Ip Man 2 give you a sense of wonder and amazement that go beyond our cultural divide and make you want to jump out of your seat with joy. The other impressive feat of the film is proving without a doubt that the style of Wing Chun, which specializes in self-defense utilizing both striking and grappling, is a style of fighting that demands admiration. Especially when it comes to preserving the memory of the real Yip Man, who clearly was a remarkable human being whose well deserved influence reverberates still to this day. Ip Man 2 is not just an homage to Master Ip and the Wing Chun style of fighting, but to the universal power behind his message, which is to respect one another unconditionally.
9 out of 10
Buy tickets for the NYAFF screening.
What do you think of Ip Man 2?