"Ip Man 4: The Finale" (2019) - Sam Gall's Movie Review Issue #9 Gem Mint 10.0

"Ip Man 4: The Finale" (2019) directed by Wilson Yip

"The Kung Fu master travels to the U.S. where his student has upset the local martial arts community by opening a Wing Chun school."

You might like this if you liked: Well.. if you liked the first 3 Ip Man films obviously I’d recommend the next one, Donnie Yen (I’m just the biggest Donnie Yen fan), Martial Arts, Bruce Lee (historically featured, as the real Yip Man was Bruce Lee’s Sifu), Kung Fu, Wing Chun, Tai Chi, Scott Adkins (I mean we see these films partially to see our favorite fighters go head to head right? Adkins was personally requested by Donnie Yen for this film), Flash Point (2007) (same Director) SPL: Kill Zone (2005) (same Director), or if you’re just interested in Chinese/martial arts history

Donnie Yen in the first three Ip Man films

I’ll never forget seeing the first Ip Man in (2008). It was my favorite modern martial arts film at the time. I was slowly learning more and more about who Donnie Yen was back then and had really been won over by his performance in Ip Man (2008) not realizing I had already known him from films like Iron Monkey (1993), Hero (2002) due to being a Tarantino fan since he produced those two and being a Jet Li fan and not realizing who that was in Once Upon a Time in China II (1992), Blade II (2002) and Shanghai Knights (2003) I had also seen but again Donnie wasn’t necessarily an American star yet and had very minor roles in both. It really wasn’t until Ip Man (2008) did his name and face really stick for me. After that, I couldn’t get enough of Donnie Yen’s machine gun punches. Michelle Yeoh (BOW DOWN to this woman) once stated that Donnie Yen was the FASTEST she’d ever worked with.. “Wing Chun” (1994) (amazing film, if you like Michelle Yeoh and Donnie Yen, and tofu).

After devouring Donnie Yen films whether it was going backwards or forwards from Ip Man (2008) I suddenly discovered on Netflix one day Ip Man 2 (2010).. just sitting right there waiting for me. I loved it though the first one still had my heart. The table top scene with Sammo Hung where they’re balancing on the edge while doing machine gun punches was a little much for me but still enjoyable as hell haha.

Donnie Yen (left), Mike Tyson (right) in Ip Man 3 (2015)

Then finally.. I’ll never forget the hype of Ip Man 3 (2015) getting to watch all the trailers and getting excited and counting down the days and realizing it wasn’t playing in Ventura or anywhere near me and having to actually DRIVE TO LA to see it. Well, it was f*cking worth it. It was the first time I got to experience Donnie Yen on the big screen, let alone an Ip Man film, together with a live audience and man was it a blast. I remember these two guys in the front row and a few in the back but we all were cheering for every punch and kick Donnie gave and laughing together so hard at every line Mike Tyson spoke. It was a truly unique experience.

Donnie Yen (left) & Wu Yue (right) in "Ip Man 4: The Finale" (2019)

Now almost 5 years later I get to introduce the franchise to my fiancé and watch an Ip Man film with her for the first time together. We had such a blast.. it was the beautiful, touching, deep and perfect action packed ending to a god damn punch of a near perfect franchise (and I don’t believe in perfection either, so that’s high praise my friend). I’m very new to Scott Adkins but in anticipation of this film I knew I had to do some research and man this Caucasian can kick some ass. He’s like the Eminem of Kung Fu. And boy does he play one mean mother’effer in this film.

Donnie Yen in "Ip Man 4: The Finale" (2019)

Again, I don’t like to give away plot too much. I just like to recommend and tell my story of why I watched it and loved it. Realizing this film had gap between it since the last Ip Man film in 2015.. Donnie Yen had become an a true international star with the hit Rogue One Star Wars film where he played Chirrut the blind, it was really beautiful to see him come back to the Ip Man franchise with Ip Man 4: The Finale in such a beautiful and humble way.. Donnie Yen continues to surprise and impress me. He’s getting old. Not too old but my god has he been around just as long as Jet Li and almost Jackie Chan has. He’s truly a legend and I can’t wait to see where else his career takes him. I will add as I know, many fans were upset about Ip Man 3 not delivering the goods of Bruce Lee after teasing him at the end of Ip Man 2... well let’s just say they delivered 😉

Written by Sam Gall on 04/03/20

CGC Grading: Gem Mint 10.0

Trailer for "Ip Man 4: The Finale" (2019):

Available to rent for $4.99 or to buy for $7.99:

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