Ip Man 3

This review may contain spoilers!

This is unbearably tame for a martial arts film. I would give Ip Man 3 a 3/10.

At the core of these films are the incredible action sequences with the perfectly timed fight choreography, the fights in these films are unlike anything you're likely to see in a Hollywood or British film. The editing really compliments this, moving the action sequences along at breakneck speed while also navigating dialogue sequences really well too. The score isn't very present in the film but when it is it backs up the action really well; I think the scene where Ip Man dances with his wife is one of the most beautiful scenes of the film.

Jin Zhang, who played Cheung Tin-chi, was a great antagonist for this film; Zhang presents a role who is similar to Ip Man but through his own personal struggles has become a victim to pride and jealousy. Leung Ka-yan, who played Master Tin, has such a great deal of energy in this film; it was great seeing him confront his ex-student and devastating when he's assaulted by Zhang's role.

However the best performance of the film came from Donnie Yen, who played Ip Man. Yen has always carried these films for the most part, really embodying the title role. Yen has a great physical presence within the fights, making him a role you really enjoy onscreen. Ultimately though Yen really does a masterful job at recreating the serenity and kind nature of Ip Man which is so refreshing to see in a leading action role.

Sadly this film didn't really know which aspect of the plot was the main point of focus and therefore the film became muddled. The rivalry between Ip Man and Cheung Tin-chi was introduced far too late, Cheung Wing-sing's cancer wasn't given the important attention to detail that it should have and Frank's criminal organisation made the film feel like a B grade action flick (which it kinda was). The cinematography in this film really didn't match up to the editing, I was genuinely disappointed with how simple or out of place some of the shots were.

Lynn Hung, who played Cheung Wing-sing, is constantly changing how her role acts each film which is infuriating to watch; add to the fact that she doesn't really have much chemistry with yen and you grow tired of her quite quickly. Mike Tyson, who played Frank, felt like a cartoon character; he was more Goofy than terrifying crime boss unfortunately. Patrick Tam, who played Ma King-sang, wasn't a very convincing or intimidating antagonist; his line delivery was absolutely awful. Karena Ng, who played Miss Wong, was the butt of multiple cheap attempts at romance or jokes at the expense of her gender; I would've liked to see her character better utilised. Kent Cheng, who played fatso, had no screen presence in the last film and has even less in this one; his performance is greatly diminished when compared to the likes of Yen or Ka-yan. Chan Kwok-kwan, who played Bruce Lee, wasn't a very necessary role in this film; he just felt like a cheap attempt to work in Lee.