Master Z: The ip Man Legacy

THE plot of this Ip Man spin-off, featuring Wing Chun master Cheung Tin-Chi (Max Zhang) from the third movie, is all too familiar: martial artist gets dragged into trouble despite his best efforts to live a simple life, and has to battle the triads, crooked cops and drug kingpins. A redemptive journey is undertaken in the course of his struggle, but again, that path is also well trodden.

But oh my, what lyrical badassery gushes forth in the numerous (and glorious) fight sequences. Besides Zhang’s considerable contributions, expect awesome moves from Xing Yu, Tony Jaa, Michelle Yeoh – the simple act of handing someone a drink has never looked this amazing – and Dave Bautista, cutting an even more imposing figure than usual among castmates who more or less come up to the level of his pecs.

This is spleen-venting holiday entertainment of the most welcome kind, brought to us with casual confidence by an old hand: director Yuen Woo-ping, in his 40th year behind the camera since Snake In The Eagle’s Shadow (and even more time under his belt as a fight choreographer).

Fully aware that so many of us have been on this tour before, the veteran Yuen knows when to throw in a surprise or two – or raise the excitement quotient, like in one breathtaking fight/chase on and around the signboards high above a street – to keep us “tourists” not only entertained, but eager for a similar trip this year. – Davin Arul