Showing posts with label IP Man. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IP Man. Show all posts

Friday 31 March 2023

REVIEW: IP Man The Awakening (2022)

Review by Jon Donnis
In what seems like an endless series of TV shows and Films to feature IP Man, we are once again back with Ip Man, most famously portrayed by legendary actor Donnie Yen in the first 4 films, and then Dennis To in Ip Man: Kung Fu Master, we have a new actor taking on the role, this time it is Tse Miu, or is that Miu Tse, Mo Tse, Tze Miu, Xia Miao, Xie Miao. Look, his name in Chinese is 謝苗, and he seems to have multiple names when translated into English. Anyway, despite being only a few years younger than Dennis To, Tse Miu is seemingly playing a much younger version of Ip Man. 


Set in the 1930s, Ip Man finds himself visiting Hong Kong for the first time, and this is a British run Hong Kong, so the Brits are firmly portrayed as the bad guys here. Brits are rounding up young Chinese women as part of a giant human trafficking ring. They have paid off the Hong Kong police and the locals don't seem to care too much as they are getting in on the action too.

One day Ip Man intervenes when he sees a kidnapping attempt, and by doing so inserts himself right in the middle of trouble and a head on collision with those evil Brits. The bad guys kidnap a friend of his, and now he has to challenge the top guy in a brutal fight, and see whose Kung Fu is best!


One interesting aspect of the film, is the use of an old British martial arts technique called Bartitsu, which outside of The Kingsman and Sherlock Holmes, I have not seen it mentioned or used in any other film, and especially not to this level.

Where as the other Ip Man films are much more serious affairs, I found that The Awakening, especially in the early parts of the film, is a much more light-hearted affair, closer in style to some Jackie Chan films, which was a nice change.


Seeing Tse Miu take on the role is a tricky one for me, he looks much younger than he is in real life, but he also looks very different to both Donnie Yen and Dennis To, who did kind of look similar. So, fans of the other films will instantly find a totally different looking actor playing the part a bit strange. But once you get passed that, I think Tse Miu does a good job playing Ip Man at a much younger age.

The fight scenes are all of the highest quality, and like I mentioned, some of those early scenes are very Jackie Chan like in the use of objects and surroundings, which I did enjoy.

The film is only 1h20m, so a great length to keep the action moving along at a fast pace. A satisfying if predictable ending, as well a decent story helps the film tick every box you would want it to.


The Good
Fun Chinese martial arts film, with some excellent choreography, and strong performances.

The Bad
Some of the early fight scenes in the film are a bit choppy camera wise but do improve towards the end.

Overall
A good film for people new to the franchise as well as fans of the other 5 films.

I score IP Man The Awakening a solid 8/10

In UK Cinemas 5 May 2023
and
Out on DVD June 5th
https://amzn.to/3lZVLbG

Monday 12 April 2021

COMPETITION: Win IP Man: Kung Fu Master on DVD



IP Man: Kung Fu Master is released on DVD and Blu-ray on 19th of April

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you a 3 copies on DVD to give away.

Synopsis: 
Decades before becoming Bruce Lee’s legendary teacher, the young Ip Man, a police officer in Foshan and soon to be a father for the first time, finds himself in the middle of a deadly plot. Out for vengeance is Qing Chuan, the dangerous daughter of a ruthless but honourable mobster who has been killed under mysterious circumstances while in custody at the police station. Ip Man must face this threat, while also contending with the arrival of the Japanese army in Guangdong province.

Returning to play this iconic role, Dennis To (Ip Man: The Legend Is Born, Kung Fu League) is back for the latest outing in this wildly popular, fight-filled franchise, boasting world-class martial arts action.

Dazzler Media presents Ip Man: Kung Fu Master on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital from 19th April
 

Buy From Amazon at
https://amzn.to/3wQiQOA
Watch on Apple TV
https://apple.co/32534kK

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED



Terms and conditions
1. Closing date 26-04-21
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.