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There are three ways you can view Ip Man: as a historical drama about the legendary martial arts master under whom Bruce Lee studied, and his struggles during the Japanese occupation of China; as a folk-hero tale of a martial arts master who stands for all things modest and honorable, yet who is capable of taking on every soldier in the Japanese army and remains standing tall when the fight is finished; or as an intense Donnie Yen fight film, where the actor's best skills are put to work in brutal, technically awesome fight sequences (choreographed by action director Sammo Hung) that will have audiences cheering.

Yen is suitably restrained as the quiet, polite and extremely modest martial arts master, who is wealthy enough that he does not entertain the idea of taking on new students, or threats by newcomers who need to make their reputations in the township of Fo Shan. Ip Man's family is quickly displaced when the occupation occurs; forced into manual labor, he is still viewed as a beacon of hope to the locals, especially when a new army commander looks for men to challenge him in martial arts contests. Winners walk away with a bag of rice, but losers don't walk away. Ip Man does not immediately respond to the challenge; only when those closest to him are threatened does he take up the fight.

The terrific supporting cast includes AFFD favorite Simon Yam as Ip Man's best friend, an industrialist who is determined to see success despite the war, and Lam Ka Tung as a sympathetic local cop who acts as a translator for the Japanese. Ip Man is a technically polished film that summarizes its historical facts while giving abundant time and attention to thrilling martial arts action.