“Master Z: Ip Man Legacy” Theatrical Poster
Director: Yuen Woo-ping
Cast: Max Zhang, Dave Bautista, Liu Yan, Michelle Yeoh, Tony Jaa, Kevin Cheng, Chrissie Chau, Patrick Tam, Philip Keung, Anthony Ho, Xing Yu, Adam Pak
Running Time: 137 min.
By Paul Bramhall
While anticipation builds for the 2019 release of Ip Man 4, with all of its furore around the inclusion of Bruce and Boyka, it shouldn’t be forgotten that 2018 isn’t going to let us get away without an Ip Man fix either. Well, at least a fix of the extended Ip Man universe. For any kung fu fan that’s been living under a rock recently, Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy is the spin-off movie from Ip Man 3, which sees the third instalments anti-hero, played by Max Zhang, get his very own starring vehicle. It’s fair to say that there hasn’t been this much excitement for a spin-off movie in Asian action cinema since Michelle Yeoh headlined 1993’s Project S, a whole 25 years ago, which saw her reprise her character from Police Story 3. Yeoh is in Master Z (as I’ll refer to it from here on in) as well, but more on that later.
Following the same trend of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and its sequel, it’s Ip Man 3’s choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping that steps into the director’s chair for this entry. Woo-Ping’s directorial talents haven’t played to his strengths in recent years, with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny being painfully average, and The Thousand Faces of Dunjia bordering on the unwatchable. However his choreography on Ip Man 3 was stellar, so placing him at the reins of a tale that takes place in a universe he’s familiar with is as good a shot at redemption as any. If you’ve noticed I’ve used the term ‘universe’ twice by the way, it’s intentional. Lest we forget Ip Man was a real person, and while the franchise has increasingly moved away from factual representation, Master Z serves as the official stamp to confirm we’re no longer supposed to question if what we’re watching actually happened or not.
Woo-Ping certainly hasn’t skimped on bringing onboard the martial arts talent. Apart from the already mentioned Max Zhang and Michelle Yeoh, the screen is also graced by Yuen Wah, Xing Yu, Tony Jaa, and of course David Bautista. Whether all of them get to show off their skills is another question, but what can’t be argued is it’s great to see them onscreen together. What isn’t so great is Master Z’s plot, which is perhaps best described by saying it’s as flimsy as Ip Man 3 was meandering. I confess I kind of liked the meandering nature of Donnie Yen’s last outing though, but I didn’t feel the same way towards Master Z’s rather contrived excuse for a plot.
Basically it goes like this – after being defeated by Ip Man, Zhang has quit the martial arts world and is running a small grocery store with his son. One day, while making a delivery, he stumbles upon a couple of ladies (Ada Liu and Chrissie Chau) being assaulted by a group of triads. Being the noble guy that he is, of course he steps in and kicks all kind of Wing Chun ass, which causes the triads to retaliate against him by burning his apartment down. Zhang and his son are taken in by the ladies, and he starts to work at the bar Ada Liu’s brother, played by Xing Yu, runs. However when the same triads start getting involved in the business of dealing opium, Zhang teams up with Xing Yu to get to the bottom of where it’s coming from. This is a 2018 movie, so unsurprisingly, it’s coming from those damn foreigners, and naturally by the end the triads repent, and Zhang is left to take on the super evil Chinese hating David Bautista. The end.
Admittedly character arcs are attempted to be woven in. There’s the whole issue of Zhang not wanting to use or teach Wing Chun since he got defeated, which he does at least one of by the time the credits roll. The problem is character development has never been Woo-Ping’s strongpoint as a director, and such sub-plots only come across as clumsy, and mostly superfluous, to what boils down to a simple tale of beating up the foreigners that are bringing opium into China.
Despite the plots best attempts to be more than it actually is, what can’t be argued is that Zhang owns the role of Cheung Tin-chi. A real martial artist, Zhang has been on the scene since working as a stuntman on 2000’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, but really came onto the radar thanks to his turn as the unstoppable prison warden in 2015’s SPL II: A Time for Consequences (which also pitted him against Tony Jaa). He’s gone from strength to strength since then, with his roles in Ip Man 3 and The Brink cementing his reputation as the real deal, and here he’s clearly enjoying the chance to return to a character who can this time walk away the victor.
Unlike in Ip Man 3 though, Master Z’s choreography isn’t being handled by Woo-Ping, with action duties instead handed over to his brother and fellow Yuen Clan member Yuen Shun-Yi. Master Z marks the first time for Shun-Yi to take on fight choreography duties solo, however he has worked with Zhang before, when he was part of the choreography team for The Grandmaster 5 years earlier. What he brings to the table is a mixed bag. When the action’s confined to a restrictive space is arguably when the choreography shines the most – Zhang and Tony Jaa go at it briefly in the doorway of a closed store, and kung-fu fans will get a kick out of watching Zhang and Yeoh perform an exchange with a glass of whisky, that calls to mind a similar scene with Simon Yuen and Hwang Jang Lee in one of Shun-Yi’s few starring turns, Dance of the Drunken Mantis.
However when he’s faced with a larger canvas to work with, the action frequently becomes ludicrous, and far too reliant on unconvincing wirework. One scuffle sees Zhang take on multiple attackers in and around the exterior of various buildings and their protruding neon signage, parts of which are lifted wholesale from the finale of the Thai movie Chocolate, only here it’s done with unconvincing CGI. Almost every flying kick is also wire assisted to some degree. At best it’s possible to turn a blind eye, at worst people fly through the air like a feet first version of Superman. It looks bizarre. It’s a shame, as when the action stays grounded, it delivers, but all too often a move that defies every law of gravity is suddenly thrown in for no discernible reason, which immediately takes you out of it as the viewer.
As the bad guy of the piece, David Bautista is a fine choice of casting. Eschewing the overly shouty gweilo devil, that guys like the late Darren Shahlavi were forced to portray for Ip Man 2, here Bautista remains calmly spoken throughout, and he’s all the more intimidating for it. As a steak loving philanthropist, his collected demeanour means that when he does begin to unload the pain, you feel every blow. He gets to face off against both Xing Yu and Zhang on separate occasions, and while I still think the Donnie Yen vs Mike Tyson bout is the best example of Wing Chun vs a burly bruiser, what’s on display here is certainly no disservice to the talents of those involved.
In terms of everyone else, Tony Jaa continues to do exactly what you expect him to, only without that same burning anger that he had in his Thai productions. His character is essentially there as a piece of throwaway fan service, and could just as easily have been written out of the plot with minimum impact. If seeing Michelle Yeoh in Crazy Rich Asians during 2018 didn’t leave you satisfied, then her small but meaningful role here should provide the fix you’re seeking, delivering a nicely choreographed fight against Zhang. Kevin Cheng is also notable for his performance as Yeoh’s younger brother, an overly ambitious triad with anger management issues. As a piece of useless but tenuously connected trivia, Cheng played the young version of Ip Man in Ip Man: The Final Fight.
Overall Master Z is one of those movies that has as much wrong with it as it does right, possibly even a little more. In the final third scramble to establish all of the foreigners as the bad guys (and I mean all – Bautista, the police, the patrons of the bar), subtlety is thrown to the wind and it begins to feel a little overbearing. It’s for this same reason that the fight pitting Zhang against Bautista ultimately ends on a whimper rather than a bang, leading to an extended finale that’s both overly wordy and overlong. Is there potential for a Master Z II? Possibly, but get someone like Soi Cheang at the helm, Woo-Ping needs to stick to what he does best, and at this stage in career, directing isn’t it.
Paul Bramhall’s Rating: 5.5/10
Oh, how I’m in tears over here. First Kung Fu League gets bad reviews, and now this?
It sounds like Master Z in channeling the crazier wire-fu movies from the 90’s. After being so used to grounded action in the series, it does sound like a bizarre departure, but maybe I can tolerate it.
I guess True Legend was a long time ago. I didn’t think Woo Ping could be a lackluster director. (He was the real director of Fist of Legend while Gordon Chan did very little.)
I’m scared of that description for the finale. I’m reminded of that horrid showdown in Wolf Warrior where they spent more time talking than fighting. I hope it’s not like that.
Is it safe to say that if I liked Special ID, I might like this? Thanks
If you liked ‘Special ID’, then it’s possible to like anything!
Two very different movies, so I don’t think it’s possible to really compare. The Zhang and Bautista fight is good while it lasts, it’s what comes after which is the issue, with what feels like a tagged on extension to the scene essentially robbing it of its importance.
Very funny. I thought the same with Knock Off. 😬
In all seriousness, I know this is a website with divided opinions, and as you’ve stated, it would be boring if we always agreed.
What other movies could Master Z be compared to?
Ha ha, Van Damme’s masterpiece!
I think if you enjoyed ‘The Brink’ and ‘Paradox’, then you have a good idea of what to expect with ‘Master Z: Ip Man Legacy’. It’s not as grounded as either, however evokes the same tone and feel. I know it’s like beating a dead horse, but my biggest issue with any Chinese/HK flick that aims to be gritty (drug use, violence etc.), is that it only makes the scenes which have been inserted to get it past the SARFT all the more obvious.
Well I liked them, so maybe that’s something to keep in mind. Meanwhile, I hope The Invincible Dragon gets a better reception.
I’ll be seeing this in the next few days. Have high hopes for it. Any room for a sequel?
Refer to the last line of the review. 🙂
Superb review as usual Paul. From the trailer I had worries about this. It’s dumb arsed to have so much wirework in a movie like this. I could JUST tolerate Ip Man 2 in this regard, hearing this shit makes my ears bleed with anger. And I love Max Zhang. Shame. I won’t check it out for a while.
I wonder if all this “Westerners are bad” stuff was something the China gov suggested.
Much as i love Jackie Chan, some of the “China is great” parts in his recent films feel like propagenda.
This isn’t as unlikely as you’d think. At the beginning of this year the SARFT activities related to film production were announced as being transferred to the Central Propaganda Department (externally known as the Film Bureau). Two of their main responsibilities are listed as being to guide and monitor film production, and to organize the censorship of film content.
Disturbing. i feel this harms artistic freedom and the integrity of the films.
You know, I’ve seen other sites say that Cheng did play a young Ip Man in the Final Fight, but which scene though? I don’t recall seeing him at all in that movie. I
Saw this yesterday. In short i liked it. Cheung’s growing friendship with the Bar Owner and his sister. Dave Bautista as a steak loving soft spoken villain. Michelle Yeoh is also classy as ever.
The Max Zhang vs Bautista fight is great. You get a good sense of how massively strong Bautista is. I actually prefer it to the Mike Tyson vs Donnie Yen fight in Ip Man 3.
Here’s to hoping we get a sequel.
Okay guys, everyone in the comment section needs to calm down. Go to rotten tomatoes and IMDb, the tell a very different story. The people say it’s getting all bad reviews is bullshit. This is one review,based on one man’s opinion. I read to other reviews, one in particular from the Hollywood reporter and it praises the film. Just make your own assessments guys and stop listen to everything you hear
It a great movie. Kung Fu movie doesn’t get better than this. People who give a negative review. The don’t know what they watching.
I’d rate the Donnie Yen Ip Man universe movies as –
1. Ip Man (8.5/10)
2. Ip Man 3 (7.5/10)
3. Master Z: Ip Man Legacy (5.5/10)
4. Ip Man 2 (3/10)
Disclaimer: I was of sound mind when watching all of the above movies, so was fully aware of what each one of them was. 🙂
And that is your opinion sir. Unfortunately I disagree with you on ip man 2 and probably will as well on master z
Paul and I don’t always agree, but there’s no need to make negative remarks. Other reviewers haven’t given Master Z high praise.
Although a 3/10 for Ip Man 2? You’re breaking my heart!
Exactly. I’m not sure why there’s a certain hesitancy around disagreeing with a review, I find some of the most enjoyable and entertaining discussions around movies are those that involve differences of opinion. The important part is that both parties respect each others different point of view (ok, not exactly something you can take for granted on the internet).
For ‘Ip Man 2′, man, I prefer to ignore this movies existence. The plot was dull as dishwater (Ip Man trying to open a kung-fu school in Hong Kong – yawn), key characters from the original where given short shrift (Lynn Hung, Fan Siu Wong, and what the hell where they thinking with Simon Yam’s character!?), the fight choreography was often embarrassing (the Donnie Yen vs. Sammo Hung table top fight – ’nuff said), and Darren Shahlavi’s villain was too much of a caricature to be taken seriously.
Good for you
I recurring theme to your reviews of Chinese movies is your blatant pain of having white guys as villains and repetitive complaint of Chinese patriotism in their movies yet Americans have been doing the exact same thing for several generations….the hypocrisy here is intergalactic.
How many “white guy joins dojo or kungfu school, suddenly becomes the best-est-est super fighter surpassing and beating asian fighters who had far longer training”- ish type of movies… Some of such movies go so far as the white best-est fighter defeating his Asian shifu sensei and ALWAYS gets to bang the pretty Asian girl princess.
Secondly you disregard the period of when the movies are set such as in Ipman 2 which was probably the around the same period as in Fearless where westerners kept trying to show the “weak Chinaman” as weaklings…. which is a similar period Master Z was set in.
Such white villains you call propaganda actually fit the time period within the film … a period were westerners kept challenging the “Chinaman” and “yellow peril” propaganda against the Chinese with is an ACTUAL FACT…..but you always complain about it ; may as well complain about why is water always wet. 🙂
You touch on a really good point, in that yes the reality of 50’s Hong Kong did include plenty of corrupt, racist British cops. However it’s not so much the ‘what’ that bothers me in movies such as this, it’s the ‘how’. There are ways a skillful filmmaker can portray these injustices of the time, however having literally every line the foreign actors speak/yell being about how inferior/weak/useless/etc. the Chinese are isn’t it.
This is offset even more in movies like ‘Master Z’ and ‘Chasing the Dragon’, which deal with the portrayal of Triad members. No longer are they just criminals, but instead they’re victims of the colonial powers, and operate on a higher moral plain than their evil China-hating suppressors. All so that what? The movie can get a stamp of approval from the NRTA.
I agree every film industry has its villains based on history, and while I wouldn’t always says it’s ‘propaganda’, the fact can’t be ignored that the NRTA is a division of the Central Propaganda Department. That’s China itself confirming they view their film industry as a form of propaganda, it really can’t get more clean cut than that.
“Some of such movies go so far as the white best-est fighter defeating his Asian shifu sensei and ALWAYS gets to bang the pretty Asian girl princess.”– Can you give me an example of one such movie? I’d like to give it a review!
I didn’t know that guy was talking to you, since those statements about you aren’t true. You certainly know how to be diplomatic against accusations.
It’s always interesting to see how different countries portray foreign villains. Considering how often the US does it, I found it refreshing to see the reverse.
The Indian films Manikarnika and Kesari which take place in colonial times portray the British as especially bad with the big difference being that they have better western actors than in Chinese cinema.
What are your sources sir. You obviously are making it up, because I read the Hollywood reporter.
It’s great that the Hollywood Reporter reviewer enjoyed the movie, although he notably refers to it twice as being a wuxia, so I’d say they’re slightly more deserving of your “The don’t know what they watching” comment.
I never said “they don’t know what they’re watching”. That was kevin
Huge Ouch!
I agree that Simon Yam’s character arc sucked, and Ip Man 2 isn’t original. Darren Shalavi’s role had the subtlety of a WWE caricature, but that’s probably why I enjoyed Donnie beating the shit out of him.
I loved the fight choreography, and Donnie vs Sammo was better than their SPL bout. (which was still good.)
I liked how Sammo’s fight with Darren showed him throwing everything he had, and how Donnie had to learn from that match so he could fight smarter instead of matching Darren’s ferocity.
I’d be happy if the fight choreography in Master Z matches Ip Man 2, even with the unnecessary wire work.
this guy gets it right ! I quickly noticed that the fight scenes were different than IP MAN3,along with everything else in the movie!!!
Even though the Blu Ray came out a while ago at dddhouse, I just had to wait for the limited theatrical release. Now that I’ve watched Master Z, I gotta say it was pretty cool stuff!
I compare Master Z to Donnie and Woo Ping’s rarely mentioned collab, Heroes Among Heroes where even though it’s not in the top 10 Woo Ping films, it was still entertaining. (And has a similar use of wirework) The fight scenes were a lot of fun, and even though the wirework was very unnecessary, I found myself accepting it.
I’ve had a crush on Michelle Yeoh for years, and I’m still having one. She ages gracefully, and her fight with Max was very fluid.
Tony Jaa had just as decent a fight with Max as he did with Chris Collins in Paradox. It’s funny how Jet Li made wires work in his films, but they make Max Zhang and Tony Jaa look like Power Rangers. I can see why fans of the Ip Man movies weren’t keen on this direction.
I did find a lot of other faults too. The movie ignores the fact that Max Zhang turned into a villain for no reason in Ip Man 3, and that he was assaulting other martial artists like a bully before Donnie pulled his head out of his ass.
Is it a coincidence that Black Bat looks exactly like Bruce Timm and Paul Dini’s Batman but with yellow? Can Warner Brothers or DC comics sue?
Dave Bautista was great. He was convincing as a gentleman, and even when he revealed his true self, he still kept a subtle demeanor. His fight with Xing Yu told a good story where even though Xing couldn’t beat him, he wouldn’t stop. (And the way he made sure Max would know what happened was clever.)
I was glad Woo Ping could work with Bautista’s build and lack of flexibility. His fight with Max Zhang at the end was satisfying, and I liked how Max kept learning how to beat him with finding his weak spots and using his momentum against him.
Master Z may not rank with Triple Threat, but it does succeed as an action fix.
I first read this review long before I finally saw the movie, so excuse me for playing catch-up: 5.5/10 for ‘Master Z’? Wow. I thought the film was terrific. A little too reliant on wirework at times, perhaps, but fight for fight, Master Yuen Woo-ping delivered an abundance of action riches. This easily trumps ‘Ip Man 3’ in my book.
I generally felt the same way, although I also had criticisms. I do feel that Tony Jaa was shoe-horned in, but I liked his bouts with Max. I also felt that the chase scene after the fire had too much wire work as well as Max vs Xing Yu.
The stuff with the cops was annoying since they were clearly corrupt and had a lot to answer for, but decided to be good at the most convenient moment at the end. I would rather have had a good cop character be set up to take down the bad ones.
Everything else definitely met my approval though. I liked how Max vs Bautista didn’t have music and the sounds of their strikes became a soundtrack in their own.