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A Reel Life film section

Issue: Spring 2014

The Grandmaster (2013) movie review

Fighting Unfit

The story of martial-arts master Ip Man (Tony Chiu Wai Leung), the man who trained Bruce Lee. Starting in China, this biography is a beautifully-photographed poem to Kung Fu.

Ip Man was a master of Kung Fu from an early age who survived great personal loss during the Japanese invasion. He then moved to Hong Kong and again suffered deprivation.

All the while he is involved in fights with the masters of rival styles.

The problem with this film is that it cannot decide whether it is a martial arts movie, or a biography. Just when the story is building up, the story stops for a fight scene.

Yes, the scenes are well-produced, and theoretically they fit the story line, but they take away from the plot, the life of Ip Man.

Movie poster, The Grandmaster, Festivale film review; 220x328

Movie poster, The Grandmaster
In Martial Arts there is no right or wrong, only the last man standing.

I wanted to yell, "Get to the point" dozens of times while watching this film.

Ultimately, this film suffers from self-indulgence and needs a damn tough recut.

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by Ali Kayn
Australian release 4 September 2014
For credits and official site details, see below
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Just the facts:

Title: The Grandmaster (2013)
Written by: Kar Wai Wong (story, scr),& Jingzhi Zou & Haofeng Xu (scr)
Directed by: Kar Wai Wong
Running time: 130 mins
Rating:

The Players: Tony Chiu Wai Leung, Hye-kyo Song,

Official website:
IMDb entry

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