Ever since "Ip Man" started making waves across Asia, a continuation/sequel was inevitable. People wanted more out of Donnie Yen and Wilson Yip. They wanted more of the same: martial-arts action-laden sequences carefully woven around an old-fashioned moral lesson about martial arts. And that is exactly what Yen, Yip and company have made here: a sequel which is surprisingly as solid as the first.
As per the first film, Donnie Yen once again proves that he can act AND fight at the same time. He is perfect as the wise sifu Ip Man and he acts rationally without ever losing control of himself. Even when he gets angry. Now that is a true man. His fighting skills prove that in spades.
The supporting actors are a mixed bag. On one hand we have the Chinese actors giving their best, including Sammo Hung in a memorable role as a fellow martial-arts master. However, the British actors are the ones I'm complaining about, some of their acting is just overdone and hammy. But the action still overlays this flaw. One part I did like about this sequel though; a villain in the previous film now becomes a like-able friend in this one. The reason? He found a family and humbled down, realizing his foolish mistakes in the past. This is proof that this movie is not all-action, but it has a big heart as well.
Again, the story is nothing new to write home about; it's basically the Hong Kong version of "Rocky IV", with Donne Yen playing "Ip Man" which is equivalent to Stallone's iconic character, and a very buffed-up Darren Shahlavi playing a British boxer which is the equivalent of Dolph Lundgren's "Ivan Drago" character. However the direction and the fight scenes are executed so masterfully that it makes the story easy to relate to.
Once again, his fists move like a chain-gun firing without reloading. And as for Sammo Hung, if you think that a fat guy can't fight, think again. Sammo Hung moves at breathtaking speed and it's a marvel watching Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung duking it out on the big screen. The martial-arts action sequences reaches new heights of excitement, and the adrenaline level of anyone watching them will be spiked. Then again, it has it's fair share of realism in it as well. Donnie almost gets the crap beaten up of him at one point, making his character all but human just like the rest of us.
Overall, it is a fine martial-arts movie, with good acting, a good ol' fashioned moral tale and lots of exceptional fight sequences that will leave you breathless. It's one Asian blockbuster not to be missed. And that last scene of the movie... a promise of things to come, like "Ip Man 3"?
Overall rating: 64/10
