The Grandmaster

The Grandmaster(2013)

PG-13
01/10/2013 (US)Action, Drama, History2h 10m
6.6

"In Martial Arts there is no right or wrong, only the last man standing."

Overview

Ip Man's peaceful life in Foshan changes after Gong Yutian seeks an heir for his family in Southern China. Ip Man then meets Gong Er who challenges him for the sake of regaining her family's honor. After the Second Sino-Japanese War, Ip Man moves to Hong Kong and struggles to provide for his family. In the mean time, Gong Er chooses the path of vengeance after her father was killed by Ma San.

Wong Kar-Wai

Director

Xu Haofeng

Screenplay

Wong Kar-Wai

Screenplay

Zou Jingzhi

Screenplay

Where to Watch

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Media

THE GRANDMASTER | Trailer 3

THE GRANDMASTER | Trailer 3

Trailer

THE GRANDMASTER | Trailer

THE GRANDMASTER | Trailer

Trailer

THE GRANDMASTER | Trailer 2

THE GRANDMASTER | Trailer 2

Trailer

THE GRANDMASTER | According to RZA

THE GRANDMASTER | According to RZA

Featurette

THE GRANDMASTER | What Makes A Martial Artist?

THE GRANDMASTER | What Makes A Martial Artist?

Featurette

THE GRANDMASTER | From Ip Man to Bruce Lee

THE GRANDMASTER | From Ip Man to Bruce Lee

Featurette

THE GRANDMASTER | Director Wong Kar Wai

THE GRANDMASTER | Director Wong Kar Wai

Behind the Scenes

THE GRANDMASTER | Tony Lueng

THE GRANDMASTER | Tony Lueng

Behind the Scenes

THE GRANDMASTER | Zhang Ziyi

THE GRANDMASTER | Zhang Ziyi

Behind the Scenes

THE GRANDMASTER | Gold Pavillion Fight

THE GRANDMASTER | Gold Pavillion Fight

Clip

THE GRANDMASTER | Daughter Of The Master

THE GRANDMASTER | Daughter Of The Master

Clip

THE GRANDMASTER | Brothel Fight

THE GRANDMASTER | Brothel Fight

Clip

THE GRANDMASTER | Featurette

THE GRANDMASTER | Featurette

Featurette

THE GRANDMASTER | Opening Scene

THE GRANDMASTER | Opening Scene

Clip

THE GRANDMASTER | Table Fight

THE GRANDMASTER | Table Fight

Clip

THE GRANDMASTER | Train Fight

THE GRANDMASTER | Train Fight

Clip

THE GRANDMASTER | Train Station Battle of Wills

THE GRANDMASTER | Train Station Battle of Wills

Clip

THE GRANDMASTER | Wong Kar Wai's Journey Into Martial Arts

THE GRANDMASTER | Wong Kar Wai's Journey Into Martial Arts

Featurette

THE GRANDMASTER | A Conversation with Shannon Lee, Daughter of Bruce Lee

THE GRANDMASTER | A Conversation with Shannon Lee, Daughter of Bruce Lee

Featurette

THE GRANDMASTER | Focus on Fighting Styles

THE GRANDMASTER | Focus on Fighting Styles

Behind the Scenes

THE GRANDMASTER | Recreating Imperial China

THE GRANDMASTER | Recreating Imperial China

Featurette

Social

C
A review by CinemaSerf
7.0

Written on May 9, 2024

I'm a fan of Wong Kar-Wai's films but I reckon that I still prefer Wilson Yip's 2008 version of the Ip Man story. Set amidst the turbulent times in China that saw the end of the rule of Manchu dynasty, the embryonic republic established and then the Japanese invasion, we meet a man (Tony Leung) who lives peacefully in the small town of Foshan until he meets Wing Chun grand master Gong Yutian (Qingxiang Wang) who is looking for a successor. That is the beginning of a journey that will see him become a grand master of the martial art himself, whilst meeting, marrying and surviving! It's a superb looking film but for me just a little too over-stylised. The combat scenes are creatively choreographed but the use of the slowed-down visual effects didn't always work. Leung and the director are clearly on the same wavelength, and the story itself is a fascinating look at the rise of one culture through the wreckage of an ancient one. It's also clear that women too had their place in this society - and it wasn't always where stereotype might assume. A strong contribution from the adept and nimble Ziyi Zhang (Gong Er) demonstrates that well as battle lines between the old and new, the powerful and the aspirational are drawn and a good old dose of ancient tribal warfare sets up a proud story of heritage, loyalty and skill. Though a little soporifically scored at times, this is an enjoyable mix of history with touch of romance and plenty of action, and is well worth a couple of hours.