THE GRANDMASTER

Original Title: Yi dai zong shi

Directed by: Wong Kar-wai

Starring: Tony Leung, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen, Zhao Benshan, Song Hye-kyo

Runtime: 130 min

Once there were abundance amount of films about Wong Fei Hung, but as Bob Dylan's aptly put; Times are changing, now Yip Man is the hot item. Ever since Donnie Yen's version (Ip Man, 2008 and the sequel Ip Man 2, 2010), much interest has been showing.

Having seen the two Ip Man movie (plus The Legend is Born-Ip Man, which is boring in my opinion), I anticipate this one a bit differently since this is Wong Kar Wai, not John Woo.

Roughly 12 years in the making (it is reported that Wong Kar Wai has planned to make this as he shoot 2046), I have to say I really like The Grandmaster since it is on a different level than the two Ip Man from Donnie Yen. Sure, I like the two Ip Man, since it is entertaining but this one is something I also like.

If you are familiar with Wong Kar Wai's films then you will not be disappointed, after two decades in arthouse films such as Chungking Express (1994), In the Mood for Love (2000), and 2046 (2004), he manages to make Tony Leung, his favorite actor, awesome again. Having said that, Tony Leung himself is awesome. You can feel his charisma pouring into the whole scene in every movie.

The Grandmaster tells the story of Yip Man (Tony Leung), his ups and downs in life from his 40s in Foshan in the 1930s, suffering during Japanese occupation, flight to Hong Kong, his meeting with Gong Er (Zhang Ziyi) and several fights he faced.

Somewhere in the middle the story change focus into Gong's story and makes me wonder, is it about Ip Man or about Gong? But towards the end it goes back into Ip's story. There are so much of Wong Kar Wai's trademark here, not only the marriage between cinematography and music, but also the theme. It is not just about how martial arts evolved in China, but it is also about honor, family, philosophy, and last but not least, unrequited love, Wai's favorite theme. All of it molded beautifully and made me think so much about life in general. I think several tracks of Kitaro in this film can enhance the catharsis.

I have no complain for martial arts scene, Leung is amazing and Zhang Ziyi shows that she still got her moves since Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000). But some will complain the lack of fighting scenes. Well if you expect this one to be a no brainer entertainment, you are wrong since it is more than that. One does not simply watch a Wong Kar Wai film and expect a John Woo one. Expect to have your feelings stirred beautifully.