Ip Man 3 (2015) Hong Kong

It gets closer to the legend's personal life.

Also known as:

Yip Man 3 (Original title)

Genre:

Action, Biography, Drama, History.

Length:

Approximately 6-minute read.


Review:
     A few movies about Yip Man were made in the past, but Donnie Yen's 2008 version rewrote the history. Because the craze about martial arts in the last two decades and of course digital world made it to reach every corner of the world. Followed by a sequel and its massive hit, then came many unofficial versions to this series that set in a different timeline of the martial art legend's life.

     With this movie, the narration gets lots closer to tell the personal life of Yip Man. But in the first half, like the previous two films, focused on the social issue. Yip Man is fighting for the children's education, when a real estate tycoon plans to replace the school building to a commercial complex. That's it, later the story begins to take us to the random events like a man who's hungry for the best fighter in the town title who end up challenging Yip Man to face him. From there, it's all about Yip Man and his ill wife where the movie switches from action mode to sentimental.

     That's not what we expected from a man who's famous for his martial art. Surprisingly, this different approach in storytelling was refreshing. Saving school, the clash for the title and ill wife, so the overall movie was like had three episodes and each dealt on a different motive. Being a biopic and also a martial art movie, it exploited the theme fairly.

     I can't say Mike Tyson's acting was so good because it was weird him to speak Cantonese. He was in a minor role, but his presence was a big boost for the movie. If we see him in an action movie, then we all know what to expect and it did not fail to fulfill our wish.

 There's nothing more important than the love of those by your side. 

     The stunts were not as good as the previous two films and they were too short as well, but technically looked so perfect, especially locking horns between Tyson and Donnie Yen was like head-to-head confrontation between Hollywood and Hong Kong. The other reason to shorten stunts in the movie was to get closer to the legend's personal life. After the survival and fighting the foreign forces, now the time to focus on his own life issues.

     The first two films were breathtaking, no one can doubt that. I don't know why it took so long for this third movie, but it still worked. Yet not the best in the trilogy, but remained very close to them with unlike storyline and action sequences. I was disappointed for not continuing from where it ended in the 2nd part. I mean the story has a clean flow, but not what I expected, like, I wanted Bruce Lee and the grand-master coming together.

     Actually, I never expected the third installment, I considered it was one of the best duologies you could find in world cinema. But I'm happy they made this one and I'm very much sure there will be fourth. So at least I can expect the Bruce Lee's part in the Yip Man's life story. I was waiting for that from a very long and I believe it won't let me down this time. All the above, I'm looking for the official announcement.




Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


Similar movies:
Ip Man 1 & 2, The Legend is Born: Ip Man, The Grandmaster, Ip Man: The Final Fight.


External link(s):
      

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Little Big Master (2015) Hong Kong

Some teachers inspire outside their class as well.

Original title:

Wu Ge Xiao Hai De Xiao Zhang (Contonese)

Genre:

Drama.

Length:

Approximately 5-minute read.

Review:

     Once I was in love with the Hong Kong films, it is my favourite Asian film industry after the Japanese, but I haven't seen any recently. Somewhere on the web I caught this film poster and I followed it to the movie database. After learnt about it I have had the urge to watch it. The most of the Louis Koo's films I saw were either action or thriller, and it is neither, as well as he's in a small role, a supporting one.

     It was based on the true story that centres a kindergarten in the rural Hong Kong. The school with a long history is now facing a threat of close down due to just five students with no teachers. All the kids hail from the poor families. After knowing this from the television a former elite headmistress Lui, who is now recovering from the surgery decides to put a hold on world tour with her hubby to take the position that offers a very low pay. So the remaining is the story that tells her effort to make the school to stand on its own, but whether it happen or not is what brings the end.

     I did not know it was a melodrama, but it was not that kind of deep sentimental film that makes you weep like your dog just died. The narration was so smooth, from the introduction of the main characters to the development to the conclusion. From all, the surprise came from the children's performances. What, they all definitely are under five years, but stunning display. And their lines were like the matured adults, which is what kind of defines it a movie, otherwise no doubt that its an inspiring drama.

 I afraid they'd fight when I'm gone. They may kill each other and I won't see them again. Then I'll be all alone. I'll miss them. 
     It was not all about the school, but about the personal lives as well those who comes in the main narration. While the Lui's attempt to provide everything in her capacity, reveals by focusing why those five kids' family is unable to send to another kindergarten. Like a movie with the multiple layers, but only after the first half where it takes the stretch.
     It is a good family movie, well received by the audience as well as by the critics and saw a domestic box office success. The highest grossed local movie in that year. Definitely it won't give you the impression of the freshness in the concept. You might have seen the similar flicks in other languages, but the point is to publicise the event that occurred on the other continent with the different characters and the different kind of struggle with the backdrop of the different society and its culture.
     If it was not a biography, then I don't know how much the original story was altered for cinematic version. All the three acts' were in the perfect order. I love tearjerker films, but sadly I did not wet my eyes for this and I won't expect the same from you. A movie to feel its depth through your heart. So I had a good time with it, I began my 2016 with this one and I hope you too get what you're looking for from this.

Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


Similar movies:
Little Red Flower, To Sir With Love, Annie, The Class, Spare Parts, Freedom Writers.


External Link(s):

    


WCA geolocation:
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A Simple Life (2011) Honk Kong

When the time comes, sometime the role will swap.

Drama

Original title:
Tao Jie (Cantonese)

 Review:
A fine family drama, there was no over emotions but a simple story and I loved it to the core. I love kids movies as well old people character movies, my heart will melt when I see them struggle. I am really very happy to have a Hong Kong movie after a long time and I am glad I picked particularly this.

Andy Lau, vastly known name if anyone familiar with the Hong Kong movies. Many his movies are my favourites and goes this movie as well to that list. This movie is about the two normal people's relationships, an old maid and his young owner. It was quite different, when maid turns too old left no strength to serve his owner what comes to her rescue is to repay for her long and faithful service she did. Like I said the movie get rid of the sappy melodrama and portrayed like that happening in a real environment.

This movie does not have any twist and was very plain. The story development was steady and gives away the audience to where it is heading so if you are a smart enough you will get it before you finish watching it. This is the movie, the characters it had that make us to judge what we have done in our whole life, someday when we become old. This movie deserves an ovation and all the credits goes to the writers and the director. A must see movie.

Similar movies:

Amour, The Last Station, A Separation, Quartet

Suitable for:

Tween, Teen, Adult, All

Final verdict:

Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent

• Tween: From age between 7 to 12
• Teen: From age between 13 to 19
• Adult: From age above 20
• Ignore: Not worth watching
• Bad: Not good but watchable
• Average: 50-50, choice is always yours
• Good: great certainly not masterpiece
• Excellent: A must see, Masterpiece