The innovator of the Wing Chung martial arts style, Ip Man, already has been the subject of two hit films in China starring Donnie Yen in the title role. With "The Legend Is Born -- Ip Man," actor Yu-Hang To takes over as the man in his younger days for a prequel covering the years of Ip's tutelage and study leading up to the opening of his first martial arts academy.
There is actually surprisingly little action in the film's early going -- as much time is spent simply talking about the then-upstart Wing Chun fighting style as on demonstrating the moves. While it can be hard to understand the emotional investment the characters take in debating the distinction of hand movements or finger positions, in such moments "The Legend Is Born" appears to turn on the desire to develop something new in the same way as do films like "The Social Network" or "Moneyball."
Yet the actual drama of Ip's stylistic development is too often left aside for cartoonishly drawn Japanese villains and a bit of romance for good measure. (Don't all young ladies want a meet-cute first-date martial arts lesson?)
The website IMDB lists the title of the film as "Ip Man Zero," an obvious nod to its coming before parts one and two, but unfortunately, it's also an inadvertent comment on what this particular film has to offer.
"The Legend Is Born Ip Man." No MPAA rating. In Cantonese with English subtitles. Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes. At the Culver Plaza Theatres, Culver City.
There is actually surprisingly little action in the film's early going -- as much time is spent simply talking about the then-upstart Wing Chun fighting style as on demonstrating the moves. While it can be hard to understand the emotional investment the characters take in debating the distinction of hand movements or finger positions, in such moments "The Legend Is Born" appears to turn on the desire to develop something new in the same way as do films like "The Social Network" or "Moneyball."
The website IMDB lists the title of the film as "Ip Man Zero," an obvious nod to its coming before parts one and two, but unfortunately, it's also an inadvertent comment on what this particular film has to offer.
"The Legend Is Born Ip Man." No MPAA rating. In Cantonese with English subtitles. Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes. At the Culver Plaza Theatres, Culver City.
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