Product Description

Fully Loaded Ultimate Double Disc New trailer for UK, featuring reference to Bruce Lee which been endorsed from The Bruce Lee Foundation.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #990 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-10-26
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Original language: Cantonese Chinese
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 106 minutes

Synopsis
Behind ever great man there lies a teacher, and this was certainly true of Bruce Lee, who claimed as his mentor a martial arts expert named Ip Man (1893-1972). A genius of Wushu (or the Chinese martial arts school), Ip Man grew up in a China nearly ripped to pieces by racial hatred, nationalistic strife and warfare. He rose like a phoenix above these ashes, however, courtesy of his participation in matches against various Wushu masters and kung-fun warriors - ultimately training martial arts icons such as Lee. This biopic from director Wilson Yip dramatizes Ip's life story.

Review
Wing Chun is characterised by close body combat, requiring practitioners to show speed & power. Wing Chun originated in the 1920s in China. In this bio-pic, IP Man, one of the earliest Wing Chun martial arts exponents credited to have propagated its popularity, is portrayed as the best of the best in 1930s Fo Shan, China. The bustling city has its own Martial Arts Street where countless martial arts schools have set up shop to fuel the craze of kung fu training. With each new school, the master will pay their respects to IP Man and challenge him to a duel. IP Man, is an accomplished martial arts master, keeps a low-profile and will only take them on behind closed doors, so as not to damage his opponents' reputation nor embarrass them in public. Following the Japanese invasion, IP Man s property is confiscated and his family is forced to live in a decrepit house. IP Man is then asked by the Japanese army to teach their soldiers martial arts: he refuses as he is strongly against war and morally believes he has to protect Chinese dignity. --Own Synopsis

Review
Extras Interview Gallery Making of Gallery Location Design Set Design Gala Premiere Deleted Scenes Trailers/Teasers 2 Disc Ultimate Collectors Edition In addition to many many extras to be feature on this DVD, this ultimate edition will contain bespoke and world wide exclusive extras including interviews with: Taky Kimura Bruce Lee s most senior student --Details of Extras

Customer Reviews

Fantastic Emotional Martial Arts Epic
'Ip Man' is based on the life of the martial artist, Ip Man who was the real life Kung fu master of Bruce Lee. The movie concentrates solely on the events, which occurred around Ip Man in the city of Foshan (China) between 1930 and 1940 during the 'Second Sino-Japanese (China/Japan) War'.

In the movie, the main form of martial art that is displayed is Wing Chun, which specializes in close-range combat. Ip Man was the first martial arts master to teach the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun openly.

Ip Man is one of the finest martial arts movies produced by the Hong Kong movie industry. It was released in December 2008 to a widespread deserved critical acclaim and box-office success. The movie was nominated for 12 Hong Kong Film Awards, winning awards for Best Picture and Best Action Choreography.

The star of the show is the really underrated Donnie Yen who enacts the role of Ip Man. He is simply underrated because he has not been involved in many high gossing movies, whereas the likes of Jackie Chan and Jet Li have. Donnie Yen, if not better, is equally as talented as Chan and Li. In the movie, the way he performed the action scenes is worthy of an applause, simply jaw dropping. Yen performs the action scenes with natural ease making the fighting look beautiful and artistic. Now, coming to the acting, this is clearly Yen's career best performance as he portrays both a 'Hero' and a 'Wounded lion' with total conviction and raging aggression. The way he expresses his emotions via facial expressions and physically is SUPERB. Ip Man is a Donnie Yen show from beginning to end.

The character of the main villain is portrayed by the Japanese actor, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi. His portrayal of the formidable Japanese general is impressive.

The movie is directed by Wilson Yip who provides excellent direction, succeeding in keeping the audience glued to the screen until the end. Ip Man is the fourth collaboration between Yen and Yip after the brilliant 'SPL: Sha Po Lang (AKA Kill Zone)', the average 'Dragon Tiger Gate' and the entertaining 'Flash Point'. All these movies are of the action genre and showcase the chemistry and talent of the duo. All three movies contain stunning martial arts especially 'Sha Po Lang', which was hailed as a return to the classic Hong Kong action cinema. Ip Man is the best effort from the duo to date.

The stunning action choreography, which is a treat to watch is provided by the legendary Sammo Hung (Hong Kong Actor/Martial Artist/Director) who has starred in classic movies like 'Wheels on Meals', 'Project A' and also 'Sha Po Lang'. The beautifull choreography by Hung is displayed on screen by Yen's martial arts skills with finesse. The fight scenes, which are real and brutal are the best I've ever seen and will leave your heart-pounding.

Another hero of the movie is the background music score, which is composed by the Japanese composer, Kenji Kawai. The music is moving and compliments the narration and Yen's action scenes with sheer perfection. The music combined with the martial-arts display by Yen simply inspired me to learn Wing Chun, but after carrying out a reality check, I think I'll leave the martial arts to Yen.

Ip Man is not a normal martial arts movie as it contains all the essential elements of an out-and-out entertainer. It's one of my favourite movies as it has a moving/emotional story, with a great narration, brilliant action, terrific performances and to round it all off, soothing and inspiring music.

It's an inspiring feel-good movie with Ip Man being portrayed as the real 'Peoples Hero' who fought for his people. Once the movie gains momentum you'll be rooting for Yen subconsciously and in the process you just might discover the 'Hero' within you.

Ip Man is strongly recomended as it is one of the greatest Hong Kong movies ever. As a result, Ip Man 2 is currently in the making and is being planned to be released at the end of 2010, can't wait.

Once Ip Man receives international recognition (for some reason it hasn't yet) it'll become an instant classic.

Magnificent!

Very gripping
I loved this movie. I felt it had a balanced variety of pace. It certainly gave one a sense of the type of gentleman Yip Man was. For those who didn't know about the Japanese invasion its a little history lesson. Donnie Yen is perfect as the lead. His version of Wing Chun is so smooth and effortless. His performace makes it very compelling to want to learn wing chun.
Its really story based as well. I loved some of the little casual bits between Yip and his missus. Some great non verbal facial expressions. I also loved the sense of the time period. A time when a gentleman of means could just practice his art for the sheer love of it and no other reason.
There is an amazing explosive scene in the middle of the movie.
All the fight scenes are really great to watch.
So to those who know of Yip Man you'll love this and for those that don't you'll fall in love with the guy. Such a gentleman but a true warrior.

Stephen Luff. Creator of Beginner Tai Chi [DVD]

Ip Man it was almost 5 stars
Like others I found this film to be a little slow off the mark, but it got going with a blast. It could have been longer to really take in the full back-story, but it showed a family man who, despite all he believed in, found himself unable to escape the war.

I've studied Foshan (check out ITSWA) and Hong Kong Wing Chun, so was pleased to see the application of something familiar to me. Even my kung fu sifu was impressed with some of the action, but we both noticed some of the moves were from the adaptations Ip Man made to his Wing Chun after his arrival in Hong Kong. Pleased to see that it wasn't too 'American' in overblown theatrics, nor were the fights too fanciful, but just some good old-fashioned martial arts.

My only disappointments were the historical inaccuracies (Ip Man's fight with the Japanese General, being shot etc.) and the lack of the full story. I understand a follow-up to continue the story from when Ip Man arrives in Hong Kong is due, but it needs to be better told than this one.

For the missing bits and artistic licence taken it lost a star, but I'm being picky.

It's a well deserved 4 stars.