Ip Man 3

Donnie Yen returns here as the titular real-life martial arts master who kept the art of Wing Chun alive during the Japanese occupation in World War II and then went on to mentor a generation of students, including Bruce Lee. Directed by Wilson Yip, Ip Man 3 is set in late-1950s Hong Kong, where Master Ip—who runs a celebrated martial arts school—finds himself pitted against a ruthless gangster (boxer Mike Tyson). A handsome production, the busy film sports plenty of activity built around a simple plot that stitches together familiar martial arts movie clichés involving a corrupt British commander, a rival Wing Chun teacher (Jin Zhang) who is alternately an ally and an enemy, and a fatal illness. Ip's wife died from cancer in real life but the rest of the film is pure dramatic invention designed to set up spectacular fight scenes, which range from impressive collisions of gangs, to Ip taking on a brigade of thugs singlehandedly, to a private showdown with the rival master. Yen remains the main attraction here as the aging Ip, investing his character with modesty and integrity while also bringing grace and precision to the fight scenes. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include interviews—with director Wilson Yip (10 min.), and costars Mike Tyson (8 min.), Donnie Yen (6 min.), and Yen and Tyson (6 min.)—as well as two “making-of” featurettes (5 min.), a behind-the-scenes featurette (2 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a satisfying sequel.] (S. Axmaker)