Ip Man 2 (2010)

Ip Man moves with his family to Hong Kong and aspires to set up a martial arts school to teach Wing Chun. He isn't accepted that easily by the other masters, headed by Master Hong. He accepts their challenges and slowly wins their acceptance. He gets a dedicated set of disciples.

Meanwhile, the Westerners have a deal with Hong to conduct western boxing in Hong Kong. But the Chinese aren't happy with the treatment and soon enough it boils down to a Chinese vs. Western boxing showdown. Master Hong fights for Chinese pride and loses his life while fighting western boxing champion 'Twister'.

Ip Man throws a challenge to 'Twister' for one last showdown and he wins the intense bout. Later, Ip Man goes on to train Bruce Lee and spread Wing Chun all over the world.

Hits

• Again the action sequences score big time. Master Hong surprises with his agility despite his burly frame. Donnie Yen is at ease as expected. His manners, discipline and respect for other masters is worth emulating. The scene when Ip Man faces all the challenges thrown by the other masters is terrific. The final fight between Ip Man and the westerner is pulsating too. 
• The northern master who had a negative part in the first movie has a surprisingly funny cameo in this part. 
• When a young Bruce Lee is shown in the end and his training is explained in slides, it literally gives goose bumps 

Comments

• The western boxing champ and the other western men over-act. 

VERDICT

Another knockout martial arts movie. A worthy sequel to Ip Man. 

Ip Man (2008)

Set in Foshan, a famous hub of Chinese martial arts, Ip Man is the most celebrated master in town. He doesn't entertain disciples because he doesn't find the need to. No one has the skill to challenge him. His wife feels frustrated that he never spends time with her and the kid and that he is always into kungfu (Wing Chun).

Soon, the Japanese invade the country and lot of Chinese are either killed or captured to work as slaves, in the war. People known to Ip Man are killed as they are called to spar with the Japanese fighters.

Ip Man then gets into the ring, vanquishes many Japanese fighters and also starts teaching the art to his near and dear ones for their personal safety in this time of need.

In the end, Ip Man volunteers to fight the Japanese general and defeats him as expected. He refuses to teach the Japanese and survives an attempt on his life. He moves with family to Hong Kong where he establishes a Wing Chun school and trains even a certain Bruce Lee.

Hits

• The martial arts scenes are authentic and really gripping. Donnie Yen shows his expertise in no uncertain terms. 
• The title theme music is haunting whenever it comes in the movie. 
• The cop who plays the translator between the Japanese and the Chinese, Ip Man's friends, Ip Man's family etc. have nice small parts to play in the movie.  

VERDICT

Uplifting martial arts movie about the master of Bruce Lee.