Ip Man 4 (2019)

Honor & Dignity

Ip Man 4 is the fourth and latest sequel (most likely also the last) of the Ip Man movies by Donnie Yen.

All Donnie Yen’s Ip Man movies take the same format – Ip Man would be challenged to prove his Yong Chun Quan (or Wing Chun Kuen in Cantonese) is just as good as the other Chinese wushu (martial arts). After he has proven himself, comes a foreign power or non-Chinese martial art challenger, challenging the Chinese wushu. All various sects would then unite and try to ward off the challenger. However, during the unjust process, all Chinese wushu falters; Ip Man is the only one left standing and he stands up for all.

In the first Ip Man movie we see Ip Man fighting a Japanese Colonist Karate expert; in Ip Man 2, Ip Man fights against a British boxer; in Ip Man 3, again he fights a boxer, this time the American Mike Tyson; and in the latest Ip Man 4, after proving himself in the San Francisco China Town with the Tai Chi Grandmaster, he stands up to the American bullies and fights a US military Karate expert. And of course Ip Man wins in all the challenges.

Coincidentally, Ip Man 4 was released during the pandemic crisis. Many countries, especially the western nations, have started to blame China for the crisis and demanded hefty reparation costs. As the whole pandemic begins to unfold, the accusation becomes obvious - it seems that most western nations feel threatened by China and the pandemic crisis serves as a perfect excuse to banish China in order to stymie its amazing growth, albeit temporarily. Unwittingly, the story in Ip Man 4 becomes a heroic story standing up against the bullies, and is enjoyed by many.

I fell in love with Donnie Yen’s first Ip Man movie. Donnie Yen has a stoic and calm charisma and portraying Ip Man as a Yong Chun (Wing Chun) Grandmaster, he brings Chinese wushu to its ultimate pinnacle. Donnie Yen is believable, giving everyone around him a sense of trust and security. One can really depend on Donnie Yen’s Ip Man to protect one’s life. All Donnie Yen's fighting actions and moves are just breath-taking, authentic and amazing. With the calm and somber look on his face when under threats, Donnie Yen's portrayal of Ip Man is confident and composed with honor and dignity - an unmistakably proud Chinese spirit. One doesn’t grow tired of watching him. In his traditional Chinese Cheongsam (long robe), Donnie Yen has the best authentic look of a Chinaman whom I have come to love watching.

As Ip Man 4 has become the epitome of East versus West, Chinese versus Whites, The Bullied versus The Bullies, it silently depicts the current standoff positions of China and America. In the movie, it has a short reprise of Bruce Lee when he was still Ip Man's student living in California (Bruce Lee was an American).

Overall, Donnie Yen is indisputably one of the best Chinese wushu master actors. His fighting scenes are authentic and believable. He commands an air of honor, trust and compassion. Watching him fight is perhaps the most exhilarating experience a viewer can enjoy from the screen. For myself, I still consider the first Donnie Yen's Ip Man movie to be the best of all the Ip Man stories.

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