Ip Man 3 (2015)
Ip Man 3 (2015)
Ip Man 3, directed by Wilson Yip and once again starring the legendary Donnie Yen, returns with elegance, heart, and bone-crunching martial arts. Set in 1959 Hong Kong, the story explores a more personal side of the Wing Chun grandmaster as he balances life with his ailing wife and the need to defend his son’s school from a ruthless property developer, played unexpectedly by none other than Mike Tyson.
This third installment dials back from the nationalistic fervor of Ip Man 2 and focuses more on personal honor and legacy. Donnie Yen gives a subdued, dignified performance as Ip Man, portraying not only his fighting prowess but also his compassion and inner conflict. His chemistry with Lynn Hung (as Cheung Wing-sing, Ip Man’s wife) is touching and anchors the film emotionally.
The fight choreography is, as expected, masterfully handled by Yuen Woo-ping, especially the stairwell brawl and the Wing Chun vs. Muay Thai fight. The much-hyped showdown between Ip Man and Tyson delivers a high-impact, gritty clash of styles, though it’s surprisingly short. More compelling, however, is the beautifully choreographed duel between Ip Man and Cheung Tin-chi (played by Max Zhang), a rising martial artist seeking recognition.
Unlike its predecessors, Ip Man 3 leans into quieter moments, reflecting on legacy, love, and mortality. It’s less about patriotism and more about the man behind the fists.
Verdict: A worthy and more introspective sequel that honors its hero with depth and grace — while still delivering the high-caliber action fans crave.
