I know that this movie is loosely based on the life of Ip Man, famously known as Bruce Lee's martial arts teacher. Because I am teaching Asian history in conjunction with To Kill a Mockingbird, I thought the events in this movie best paralleled the experienced captured in the 1930's. Both the film and the book are set in the 1930's, both addresses the "us" and "other" concept, and both overcome the injustices from their time with tolerance. I admire how the film portrayed Ip Man as a man with compassion. No matter how cruel the Japanese treated him and his people, he persevered through tolerance. In Ip Man 2, after he beats the British boxer, he gives a brief speech about how people need to respect one another despite their differences. In a way, Ip Man reminds me of Atticus Finch, just minus the martial arts skills.
I know it seems a bit trite to review a martial arts film but I just love the messages and life lessons embedded in this film. Plus, it's entertaining.
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