Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster (2011)

IP Man 2: LEGEND OF THE GRANDMASTER is a semi-biographical martial arts film based on the life of Ip Man, a grandmaster of Wing Chun martial arts and the real-life mentor of legendary martial arts superstar Bruce Lee. Directed by Wilson Yip and starring Donnie Yen (who reprises the leading role) and Sammo Hung, IP MAN 2: LEGEND OF THE GRANDMASTER continues after the events of the previous film, IP MAN. More of a companion piece than a sequel, no knowledge of the first film is required to enjoy IP MAN 2: LEGEND OF THE GRANDMASTER.



The film centers on Ip Man's (Donnie Yen) migration to Hong Kong in 1949, which is under British colonial rule and only recently rebuilt after several years of Japanese occupation. Having lost his fortune during the war, Ip decides to open a martial arts academy to teach his unique Wing Chun style in an attempt to make a living. However, there is a corrupt "union" of Hong Kong martial arts masters, led by Hung Chun-nam (Sammo Hung), who refuse to allow Ip to teach until he proves himself in a series of fights. And prove himself he does, against several masters in a dazzling display of multiple martial arts styles, culminating in a highly anticipated brawl between Ip and Hung atop a rickety table.



Even after gaining the approval of the local masters, Ip's troubles are not over. Hong Kong under British rule is a new world of corruption, and when a Western-style boxer named Taylor "Twister" Milos (Darren Shahlavi) comes to town and denigrates Chinese martial arts in a violent way, Ip is once again challenged to fight for Chinese honor against an oppressive Empire in a brutal, East versus West "King Of Boxing" competition.