The Final Master

It doesn't happen too often to come across a historical martial arts action film that isn't based upon the usual suspects such as Ip Man and Wong Fei Hung. The Final Master falls into this refreshing category as it mixes fictitious and historical events. The story follows Grandmaster Chen who is the last surviving practitioner of the Wing Chun style of martial arts. He desires to open a school in Tianjin to save his family's reputation. He settles down as he discusses his ambitious plans with another Grandmaster, marries a local waitress and trains a talented disciple who must ultimately defeat representatives of the other schools. However, organized crime leaders, members of the other martial arts schools and a ruthless military officer soon see Grandmaster Chen as a potential menace. He isn't as noble as he claims to be however and has a vicious plan with many twists and turns to defeat his numerous opponents.

The Final Master convinces on numerous levels. The cinematography is gorgeous with calm and precise camera work, beautiful costumes and detailed settings. The electronic music soundtrack is quite unusual by contemporary standards but goes back to classic martial arts cinema of the seventies. The fight scenes convince with unusual techniques and weapons and especially the film's last quarter is quite impressive in that regard. The story comes around with numerous twists and turns as the different lead characters all manipulate one another.

There are few things to criticize. The first quarter of the movie is at times difficult to follow and we are thrown into a story with numerous characters who all have particular agendas which can be somewhat confusing. The first quarter also doesn't show too many martial arts fights and has a slightly dragging pace. Once the viewer has made it through the first half hour or so, the characters get more intriguing, the fight sequences get more rewarding and the plot comes around with interesting twists and turns.

In the end, The Final Master is a very good martial arts action film with historical and fictitious elements. The characters are intriguing, the plot is filled with surprises and the settings look gorgeous. Don't get fooled by the slow start because the movie ends up being quite rewarding towards the end.

I could not disagree more with the reviewer who calls this a "laughable" movie. I did not see the whole movie, only the fight scene where the main character uses his Bart Cham Dao to defeat his challengers. Of course the movie is "choreographed". All martial arts movies are, and especially this one where nothing but real blades are used could not be filmed otherwise.

The choreography is probably the best I have seen in the entire series of "Ip Man" movies. I have never seen a fight scene involving the Wing Chun double blades that had better timing and more realistic techniques and exchanges than this one. Over-dramatized? Of course. That's what martial arts movies are all about. But here it was done in a credible way that leaves you with the impression that the actors actually know what they are doing and have practiced for a long time in real life.

...before i say anything about this fine movie..i like to say something about the first review which is also used by IMDb. Is this guy a communist agent under a false name? Obviously the person has so much hate towards the movie that one can fel the venom. Hahaha..we know you are a communist schmuck trying to undermine a good movie. What was wrong with this movie? you wouldn't know a good movie if it hit you in the face...Morrisstang..hahaha.

Obviously you are a state paid stooge trying to undermine a very good movie. Unfortunately...i don't think your efforts are going to hurt this movie...because it was a very good movie.

Now about this fine movie...beautifully shot...story was intriguing...actors n actressess were in fine form. Ohhh...the fights scenes were beautifully choreographed..n..for kung fu lovers..there was plenty of fights in this movie.

Although its nothing we have not seen in a Chinese kung fu movie, evrybody was in fine form n overall it was a fine watch. Loved that Shaw superstar..Chen Kuan Tai had a nice cameo fight scene in this movie. Morrissatang compared this to old bad Shaw Brothers movies..hahaha..plenty of people are admirers of those movies you schmuck.

By the way this is Shaw Brothers multiplied by 100..it was that much better then.

you wouldn't know a good movie if you got hit in the face by one. Keep watching the old commie b/w movies portraying fake heroes..hahaha.

Thats all i am going to write...people don't let morrisstang influence your decision on a very good movie. its won awards..just not in mainland china...thats all. Watch the movie and make up your own mind. If you are a fan of good kung fu movies n good movies in general...you'll be glad you watched it.

Poor writing, pretentious, lack of resolution. The only worthwhile scene from this film is the alley fight. Reviewers lauding t his film as some sort of modern martial arts rebirth are grasping at straws.

If you are looking for funny or fancy kungfu actions, this is probably not your best choice. This movie shows the real kungfu: simple but effective moves, moves that you would see if you ever fight with a real world kungfu fighter. Being a Chinese, I grew up watching kungfu movies.If all you can see are fighting scenes, then it's merely a Chinese boxing movie. Kungfu is a sport, a fighting skill, but most of all a philosophy, or at the very least, a particular set of values. In this movie, the ideal philosophy of kungfu is greatly challenged. You'll see the authentic Chinese traditional values of family, factions, love and teacher-student relationship. No heroes, but only characters who are struggling with honors, duties and survival in a special historic setting. Perhaps not everyone would love this movie, but I guarantee you this story is not a cliché.