(Movie Review) Ip Man 2 -叶问2:宗师传奇

I highly recommend this movie for 2010, best action aside it's nicely shot, the story is quite emotional and touching. It adds perspective on how general public should treat martial arts with respect and diginity. This movie is a rare gem to asia movie industry.

I've seen too many crap chinese shows recently and i truly think that asia filmmakers should focus on their content and story and try not to compete with hollywood special effects or animation. Ip Man 2 is definately story driven and excel at it (another favorite example of mine is Infernal Affair, 无间道). In short, if you love part 1, you will appreciates how they do this sequel.

(source wiki)

Ip Man 2 (simplified Chinese: 叶问2:宗师传奇; traditional Chinese: 葉問2:宗師傳奇) is a 2010 semi-biographical martial arts film, a sequel to the 2008 film Ip Man. It is also the second film, following its predecessor, to be based on the life of Ip Man, a grandmaster of Wing Chun martial arts. The film was directed by Wilson Yip, and stars Donnie Yen, who reprises the leading role. Continuing after the events of Ip Man, the sequel centers on Ip's movements in Hong Kong, which is under British colonial rule.

Producer Raymond Wong first announced a sequel prior to Ip Man's theatrical release in December 2008.

The film was intended to focus on the relationship between Ip Man and Bruce Lee, but the filmmakers were unable to finalize negotiations with Lee's descendants and decided to portray Lee as a child.

Principal photography for Ip Man 2 began in August 2009 and concluded in November; filming took place inside a studio located in Shanghai.

Wilson Yip aimed to create a more dramatic martial arts film in terms of story and characterization, while Wong's son, screenwriter Edmond Wong, wanted the film to portray how Chinese people were treated when Hong Kong was a British colony, as well as the Western perceptions towards Chinese martial arts.