Ip Man 3

Was this 2 movies mashed together as one, or did Mike Tyson pay big bucks last minute to be added to the script? The story just didn't make sense. Nevertheless and as always, excellent choreography, directing and acting. I just wish the writing was tighter without the plot and technical issues.

'IP MAN 3': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

Martial arts biopic sequel, to 2008's 'IP MAN' and 2010's 'IP MAN 2'. All three films chronicle the life of legendary grandmaster Yip Man (also known as Ip Man); who is famous for introducing the martial art Wing Chun, to China (and the world). This installment was once again directed by Wilson Yip (who also helmed both other movies); and it was written by Edmond Wong, Tai-Li Chan and Lai-yin Leung (Wong and Chan also co-wrote the first two flicks). Donnie Yen also returns to play the title role (for the third time). The movie also features Jin Zhang, Lynn Hung, Mike Tyson and Kwok-Kwan Chan (as Bruce Lee). Chan also played Lee in the 2008 TV series 'THE LEGEND OF BRUCE LEE', and a 2010 film (of the same name). 'IP MAN 3' is definitely not as good as it's predecessor (which many consider even better than the original film), but it is a fun martial arts flick.

The story, this time, deals with a ruthless American property developer, named Frank (Tyson); who's trying to gain control of a Hong Kong school, in 1959, that Ip Man's son attends. Ip (Yen), of course, comes to the school's defense. He also must deal with his wife (Hung) becoming ill, with stomach cancer, and a new Wing Chun grandmaster challenger (Zhang). A young martial arts student, named Bruce Lee (Chan), also wants Ip to train him.

The movie has some pretty impressive martial arts fight scenes; I also especially enjoyed the battle between Donnie Yen and Mike Tyson. Tyson actually makes a good menacing villain; considering he didn't have to say much (that was a very wise move, of the filmmakers). Other than the action, the movie doesn't have a lot to offer; I don't feel like I actually learned much about Ip Man, and the story is kind of a mess. 'IP MAN 2' is a much better movie, but this one isn't bad.

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Let's face it, many of us knew about Ip Man because of Donnie Yen. While there have been many other "Ip Man" movies produced by other film companies, other teams and directors, Peagasus Motion Pictures have declared that these have no relations to Donnie Yen's Ip Man trilogy. The other Ip Man movies have been mediocre at best, in terms of both critical and commercial success.

The truth is the Ip Man trilogy is like the Dark Knight trilogy. While Dark Knight(2008) was so good, people were thinking how Dark Knight Rises(2012) can surpass that, and expectations were Sky-High. Similarly, our expectations of Ip Man 3 is at an all time high, due to the hugely enjoyable Ip Man(2008) and Ip Man 2(2010).

Was the Dark Knight Rises a good movie? Definitely. But when expectations are high, and compared to Dark Knight(2008), people left the cinema disappointed.

This is where the difference comes in, director Wilson Yip and Producer Raymond Wong took a risk. They decided to go for a different direction with Ip Man 3, a stark contrast from Ip Man 1 and 2. Instead of Nationalist Pride, the main focus of Ip Man 3 is human emotion and melodrama. Instead of just realistic fight scenes, Yuen Woo Ping(Iron Monkey, Matrix, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) was brought in to add "beauty" and "detail" into every fight scene? So what is the result? A beautiful film in its own right, which may spark differences in opinion between people who understood the film, and people who don't.

Fans who are not used to Yuen Woo Ping's style will find the action weaker than Ip Man 1 and 2. But fans who look at details, and understanding of Martial Arts will enjoy Yuen's style much more than Sammo Hung, be it water droplets fading upon reaching the ground, glass causing balloon string to snap, "One-inch punch" finish, we are looking at extreme details and incredible beauty of martial arts, which have NEVER been present in Ip Man 1 and 2.

Director Wilson Yip's way of expressing his ideas in Ip Man 3 is that much deeper than previous films. Be it hinting "Be like water", or the first scene of "Butterfly"(a Chinese mythology of a returning spirit of a love one, key hint to subsequent events in the film), there are many details which ordinary viewers might overlook, but observant viewers will fall in love with the film.

Now, refocusing back on Donnie Yen. Many fans will be watching Ip Man 3 simply because Donnie is back as Ip Man, and to many people... "Donnie Yen IS Ip Man", and there have been voices of boycott of other unrelated Yip Mun films starring other actors.

For fans of Donnie Yen, his performance will not disappoint you. His performance as a grounded, highly-skilled martial artist continue to impress, but its his work as a father and as a husband that will stay in our hearts forever. Ip Man is willing to give up his cigarette addiction for his family, and to give up any prestige and reputation for his son(when he was kidnapped) and his wife(to spend more time with her).

Donnie's performance in his movie alone, is capable of leaving audiences in tears in the cinema. His jokes in the films are excellent, while his emotional scenes touch the hearts of every audience.

To sum it all up, Ip Man 3 is the excellent and perhaps perfect ending to the Ip Man trilogy. But one needs to use his/her heart to understand, and use their eyes to observe.. not just the fight scenes, but every emotional scene.

Ip Man 3 has improved dramatically from the previous 2 installments, due to the additional of love stories and humour, besides incredible action by Yuen Woo Ping.

While many is claiming that Ip Man 3 is the best of the trilogy, I will not go so far as that. I personally felt that Ip Man 3 is definitely better than Ip Man 2, and is definitely on par with Ip Man(2008).

Ip Man 3 and its previous 2 installments will definitely become classics, and Ip Man 3 will be a film we still talk about for decades to come, just like the Dark Knight Trilogy.

Donnie Yen is one of the most consistent action stars, having resume that spans decades and while other colossal names such as Jet Li or Jackie Chan has slowed down, he is still going strong. This, ironically, can also work against him since he already has played in two Ip Man films and with more works depicting the famous character, this theme can become overly used. Luckily, Ip Man 3 shifts into a more private direction while still equipped with the lighting speed blows.

The story has multiple subplots, ranging from usual the thug encounter to problems on Ip Man's household. There's still glimpse of the nationalism angle from the first two movies, although fortunately not as prevalent. Use of jingoism has become stale and it'd make a predictable vilified antagonist. This time around the script has more balance and modesty, it's intended to be accessible for wider range of audience.

As far as acting goes, leads Donnie Yen and Lynn Hung perform well. This is a family oriented relationship with drama or romance taking the secondary role. Its use of many subplots, thus a larger number of antagonists, can be distracting at times. Some of the dialogues sound rather too overblown for theatrical effect, although luckily they're not dominant enough to be disrupting.

Ip Man also attracts a certain expectation for fight scenes, one which is sufficiently delivered here. It uses less wire choreography and opts for a faster close quarter combat. The cinematography involved is very precise, showing a vast experience and understanding of clashing fists and spatial awareness for the dance. This makes every encounter unique, from the all-out brawl in the dock, skirmish in small stores or apartments to the occasional high octane duels. A nod goes to the scene with Mike Tyson in its entire fanservice splendor.

The distinct combat choreography, which still looks fast and fresh, will satisfy action fans, yet the humble perspective gives a hearty humane side for the larger-than-life character.

A third delve into the legend of Ip Man. And I will say that they managed to keep the third movie up to level with the previous two movies, and that was an achievement in itself.

The story here revolves around a property developer and his gangsters trying to claim a local school, and Master Ip Man takes it upon himself to stand up to them.

Donnie Yen makes a third and glorious return as Ip Man, and he does so once again with flying colors. He really was cast so well for this particular role, especially because he is capable of combining acting and martial arts with grace.

Similar to the previous two movies, then "Ip Man 3" is loaded with martial arts throughout the course of the movie. And the martial arts in this third movie was done with great skill, it was graceful and visually impressive to look at. It was nicely choreographed and equally so executed by the martial artists on the screen. There are some very memorable martial arts scenes throughout this movie, as there has been in the previous two, but the elevator scene was especially interesting.

The cast in "Ip Man 3" was good, although I personally didn't like that they had Mike Tyson in the movie. Sure he might throw a powerful punch, but he doesn't have acting talent nor much on-screen appeal. So I think they could have fared better with a different cast for the role of Frank.

It was also a nice touch to see a young Bruce Lee make an appearance in the movie, seeking to study with Master Ip Man. And actor Kwok-Kwan Chan did a good job, although it was a bit over-acted in a way. But it was fun, nonetheless.

The 2015 "Ip Man 3" movie is a definite must watch movie if you enjoy martial arts, and especially so if you enjoyed the previous two "Ip Man" movies from 2008 and 2010.