IMDb RATING
7.5/10
111K
YOUR RATING
Centering on Ip Man's migration to Hong Kong in 1949 as he attempts to propagate his discipline of Wing Chun martial arts.Centering on Ip Man's migration to Hong Kong in 1949 as he attempts to propagate his discipline of Wing Chun martial arts.Centering on Ip Man's migration to Hong Kong in 1949 as he attempts to propagate his discipline of Wing Chun martial arts.
- Awards
- 6 wins & 10 nominations
Lynn Xiong
- Cheung Wing-Sing
- (as Lynn Hung)
Christian 'Kang' Bachini
- Twister Supporter
- (as Christian Bachini)
Ashton Chen
- Yip Man's student
- (as Siu Lung Sik)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaGrandmaster Yip Man did not actually fight any British boxing champion. In real life, it was actually Yip Man's student, Wong Shun Leung ("Wong Leung" in the movie), who fought a 240 lbs Russian (not British) boxer in Hong Kong. Wong Shun Leung won that fight by KO in three punches.
- GoofsIn the final fight, the announcer's microphone appears to be a modern condenser microphone. The film takes place in the 1950's.
- Quotes
Wong Shun Leung: Master, you really can fight ten men at once.
- ConnectionsEdited into Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019)
- SoundtracksUnbeatable
Written by Serena Tong
Performed by Calvin Cheng
Featured review
Exciting action sequences marred by weak third segment
Ip Man 2 contains top-notch action sequences from the beginning to the end. It is a befitting sequel that is almost on par with the first movie.
However, it is unfortunate that some of the action scenes rely too much on wire-works. The battle between the masters for example, was inventive but a bit on the fantastical side. Looking back at the first movie, all of the best action sequences were much more grounded in realistic portrayal, as the Wing Chun style looks good in this manner.
It was good to see some cool style vs style fights though, as we get to see Animal Style, Baguazhang and Hung Gar vs. Wing Chun. A friend and I were wondering though if it'd be more accurate to present Preying Mantis, Taiji and Choy Li Fut in the mix as these styles are well established in Hong Kong.
In terms of plot, Ip Man 2 transitions nicely from the first movie, where we get to follow Ip Man as he establishes and propagates Wing Chun in Hong Kong after escaping Communist persecution in 1949. A fact that was obscured by making the character look like he's escaping the Japanese Army instead. No doubt this is a marketing ploy to make sure the movie would not upset the powers-that-be in China.
And like the first movie, Ip Man 2 takes liberty with many facts and plot to condense the essence of Ip Man's characters and what he stood for. It is interesting to note that little is mentioned about his sibling and extended family who helped him in some capacity during this difficult period of time. One of his first pupils was loosely based on a real-life counterpart, the late Master Wong Shung Leung. In Ip Man's old life, he'd often send Wong to successfully answer challenges.
Sammo Hung has delivered yet another amazing feat with choreographing this movie, despite his declining health during production.
My biggest disappointment has to do with the blatant stereotype and one-dimensional characterization of the British colonists and the Twister character. It's a lazy writing that may excite a certain segment in the Chinese market, but in my eyes this serves only to bring down the movie to B-grade martial art flicks of bygone era. There's no denying the populist appeal of this method considering the main target market.
All in all, this has been a fun movie to watch, and I hope the prequel will be as fun, if not more mature in its storytelling.
However, it is unfortunate that some of the action scenes rely too much on wire-works. The battle between the masters for example, was inventive but a bit on the fantastical side. Looking back at the first movie, all of the best action sequences were much more grounded in realistic portrayal, as the Wing Chun style looks good in this manner.
It was good to see some cool style vs style fights though, as we get to see Animal Style, Baguazhang and Hung Gar vs. Wing Chun. A friend and I were wondering though if it'd be more accurate to present Preying Mantis, Taiji and Choy Li Fut in the mix as these styles are well established in Hong Kong.
In terms of plot, Ip Man 2 transitions nicely from the first movie, where we get to follow Ip Man as he establishes and propagates Wing Chun in Hong Kong after escaping Communist persecution in 1949. A fact that was obscured by making the character look like he's escaping the Japanese Army instead. No doubt this is a marketing ploy to make sure the movie would not upset the powers-that-be in China.
And like the first movie, Ip Man 2 takes liberty with many facts and plot to condense the essence of Ip Man's characters and what he stood for. It is interesting to note that little is mentioned about his sibling and extended family who helped him in some capacity during this difficult period of time. One of his first pupils was loosely based on a real-life counterpart, the late Master Wong Shung Leung. In Ip Man's old life, he'd often send Wong to successfully answer challenges.
Sammo Hung has delivered yet another amazing feat with choreographing this movie, despite his declining health during production.
My biggest disappointment has to do with the blatant stereotype and one-dimensional characterization of the British colonists and the Twister character. It's a lazy writing that may excite a certain segment in the Chinese market, but in my eyes this serves only to bring down the movie to B-grade martial art flicks of bygone era. There's no denying the populist appeal of this method considering the main target market.
All in all, this has been a fun movie to watch, and I hope the prequel will be as fun, if not more mature in its storytelling.
helpful•3613
- Akira-36
- May 12, 2010
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster
- Filming locations
- Foshan, Guangdong, China(Town)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $205,675
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $61,057
- Jan 30, 2011
- Gross worldwide
- $15,089,448
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