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Sunday, May 20, 2012

Ip Man: The last great martial arts film


Ip man truly epitomizes the martial arts genre and arguably revived it. There were three things that truly illustrates the brilliance of the film. The acting, plot, and fight sequences truly were the greatest aspects of the film. Other aspects of the film that was of note was the editing and the scoring. Even though this film was one of the best martial arts movie since the Bruce Lee era, it contained a few faults, but two of them really stood out. The two main flaws of the film were the Chinese propaganda rampant throughout the film and Ip Man's invincibility. For a martial arts movie Ip Man had surprisingly good acting performances. Donnie Yen excellently portrayed a humble, caring,  yet powerful martial arts master(Ip man). His facial expressions demonstrated raw emotions that immediately connected with the audience. Yen was also able to emit a reserved, calm aura that enhanced the character of Ip man. The supporting cast also gave captivating performances. Hiroyuki Ikeuchi who portrayed the character of General Miura delivered a convincing portrayal of a Japanese office who respected strength. He was able to emit a very forceful and commanding atmosphere that seemed fitting for a Japanese general. Even the extras played their roles perfectly. The extras were able to recreate the atmosphere that occupied China. One could feel the dominating attitude of the Japanese military and the resistant fire that burned in every Chinese man's heart. Overall, the film was filled with exemplary acting. The film  exhibited an excellent plot, which in comparison to it's acting is surprising. Most martial arts movies have the same formula for plot. In this formula includes such plot like a rescue and  revenge themes. However, Ip Man also use this formula and added a rich storyline to it. The film's plot was especially good because it did not overly use fight sequences, and centered the movie around fighting. The movie's plot was able to follow Ip Man's life and how he resisted the might of the Japanese empire and their army. Ip Man's plot was fresh and original.  
 In contrast to most martial arts movies, Ip Man had spectacular and surprisingly real fight sequences. The fight sequences truly displayed martial arts and it's real life applications. In addition, the fight sequences were natural and was not forced which is a quality which most martial arts movies lack. In my opinion the best fight sequences took place when Ip Man showed his emotions. Thus, his best fights were against the Japanese general and martial arts practitioners. The fight sequences in this movie truly separates Ip Man from the rest of the movies in the martial arts genre. Even though the movie was great, it still exhibited a few flaws, which was the invincibility of Ip man and the Chinese propaganda. Sadly Ip Man fell into the category of martial arts movies that make the main characters seemingly invincible and impervious to enemies' attacks. Even in his toughest battle against general Miura he was barely scratched. The most damage Ip Man took was against a bullet which is disappointing in a film such as Ip Man. Secondly, the movie's most irritating feature was it's propaganda against the Japanese. Every scene in which Japanese soldiers were depicted they committed horrible actions which made the audience hate them. They made the primary villains in the movie one dimensional which is disappointing. These two attributes of the film is what truly keeps Ip Man from being one of the best martial arts movie of all tim . Ip Man was an astounding movie however it was compromised because of it's two flaws. It's magnificent plot, acting, and fighting sequences is what truly distinguishes it from the other martial arts movies. However, it's flaws of Ip Man's invincibility and Chinese propaganda tarnishes it's greatness. Ip man was a great movie, but it's flaws tarnishes it's chances if being considered as one of the greatest martial arts films.

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