Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy is directed by Woo-Ping Yuen (True Legend, Iron Monkey) and staring Jin Zhan, Dave Bautista, Michelle Yeoh, and Tony Yaa. The last we saw Cheung Tin-chi (Jin Zhang ) in Ip Man 3 he had a close fight with Ip Man but was ultimately defeated. Since then he is trying to keep a low profile and has given up teaching Wing Chun and now runs a shop.
Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy starts with Cheung Tin-chi (Jin Zhang ) telling a mob boss he no longer wants to work for him as a thug. At first, the boss doesn’t take to kindly to this which prompts a conversation about if the gun is faster than the fist. Cheung replies with from 7 feet it is not as he can get to him before he draws his weapon and fires. Of course, the boss tests this and draws his weapon in which case Cheung springs into action to disarm him. This causes his henchman Sadi the Warrior (Tony Yaa) to also spring into action and a short fight ensues. The boss calls it off and says he respects Cheung decision.
A few scenes later after Cheung has opened his shop and is taking care of his son. We are then introduced to Nana (Chrissie Chau) who has got involved with the wrong people Tso Sai Kit (Kevin Cheng) and his gang who she now owes money too. She obviously can’t pay so calls up her sister Julia (Yan Liu) to help out. Her sister arrives to pay them off and tries to leave. Of course, Sai Kit wants more because of interest. Julia refuses and starts fighting them. They bump into Cheung who is simply riding past on his bike who then feels obliged to help. This is where all the trouble starts for Cheung. After handing all their arses too them they are all arrested.
At the police station we find the British run police are corrupt and being paid off by Sai Kit. It turns out Sai Kit is the brother of triad boss Tso Ngan Kwan (Michelle Yeoh). Kwan now wants to go legit. Sai Kit isn’t happy with this who enjoys his line of work too much.
After this Sai Kit and his gang fire bomb Cheungs store trying to kill him and his kid. So now the war is one. Nana and her brother/bar owner Fu (Xing Yu) take them in. Owen Davidson (Dave Bautista) makes an appearance of what seems like a kind-hearted restaurant owner who volunteers at the orphanage. Later on, we find out he’s anything but and is running the drugs business while being protected but the corrupt British police. Sai Kit decides to get in on the drug business so partners up with Davidson. Cheung and Fu join forces to try to take down Sai Kit drugs business and succeeding. This, unfortunately, puts them on Davidson’s radar.
In terms of martial arts there a whole feast of fights for martial arts fan. Cheung might have quit teaching martial arts but he certainly hasn’t quit using them to kick arse. From his numerous encounters with Tony Yaa’s silent assassin character to quite an epic pre end fight finale with Cheung and Fu storming Kwan’s headquarters to get at Sai Kit. Naturally, even though he’s in the wrong, Kwan protects her brother and we finally see Michelle Yeoh get in on the action taking on Cheung.
Of course, we have the climactic showdown with Davidson who like most big guys in movies use size, strength and brute force as their special style to overcome. Funny thing is Cheung only seems to fully utilize Wing Chun in the final fight and uses a hybrid of other styles in the most fights with lots of kicks. But there’s nothing wrong with that although a little too much wire work for my liking. The last Ip Man movies never really had any wirework and it just makes the moves look unrealistic. Even Tony Yaa someone who’s known for performing his own spectacular moves with no wires had wirework. His character seemed to be more of a cameo role too as he only really has one fight in the entire movie.
So, with Ip Man 4 on the horizon, Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy is a great stop-gap to fill in the time until then. I also see no reason why there shouldn’t be more Master Z sequels in the future now that Donnie Yen is done with Ip Man. Jin Zhang really has a chance to shine and shows he has some good acting chops and obviously great martial arts skills. In my honest opinion, it had some big boots to fill. Not quite as good as the Ip Man movies but still a great action flick for martial arts fans.
Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy is available to buy on Amazon now.
Rating: 3.5/5 belts.
