“Ip Man” and its sequel, “Ip Man 2” — both based on the testosterone- fueled life of the man who taught Bruce Lee a thing or two about self-defense — have been hits on the action-movie underground.
Between the coiled athleticism of actor Donnie Yen, who plays Ip Man, and director Wilson Yip and martial- arts master Sammo Hung’s kinetic sense of fight choreography, it’s easy to see why the films have become popular with those who like a little mano-a-mano with their hot dog and popcorn.
Now, “Ip Man 2” is getting a wider theatrical release, but — in terms of drama, acting and moving beyond kung-fu flick cliches — it’s far from a breakthrough.
That’s all the more frustrating, because “Ip Man” did indeed live a fascinating life. (Art house director Wong Kar-Wai, who did such films as “In the Mood for Love” and “Happy Together,” has been working on his own film about Ip Man’s life, as well.)
Whereas the first “Ip Man” was set in mainland China, the sequel is set in Hong Kong, where Ip Man and his family have settled in the aftermath of World War II.
He tries to establish a school to teach his brand of martial arts but finds himself threatened by rival schools, as well as the biggest bullies on the block: the British colonialists who stage brutal boxing vs. kung fu faceoffs in which they try to prove their way of pugilism is superior.
It’s all a setup for some neck-snapping fight scenes, but between the one-dimensional stereotypes — those Brits sure are mean! — and the wooden acting, “Ip Man 2” is not everything it could have been.
But when Ip Man connects with his one of his blows — which he does early and often — little of that seems to matter.
“Ip Man 2
R for violence. 1 hour 48 minutes. In Cantonese, Mandarin, and Japanese with English subtitles. Directed by Wilson Yip; starring Donnie Yen, Lynn Hung and Simon Yam. Opens today at Denver Filmcenter/Colfax.
