Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019)

User Review

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  d_riptide

  8 / 10

  This final chapter in the IP Man franchise hits a thrilling, tense and emotional albeit uneven chord with IP Man 4: The Finale. The core fundamentals and bare necessities that stuck with the previous ones installments are still here and in full force: it’s constructed like golden-age Hollywood musicals or “Step Up” movies, as they were never going to be perfect history and it still makes for a wise and welcome decision. Acting is still strong the fourth time around, its settings and environments serve as its own kind of visual storytelling, it still packs a wholesome invigorating atmosphere, Wilson Yip’s directing is consistent with that of the previous installments and while there are some uneven moments where the tone or pacing switch up along with some cheesy dialogue, it’s uplifting choreography, powerful fighting sequences and underlying themes and messages about discrimination and intolerance are sure to have martial-art-film-fans clamoring for Donnie Yen's wondrous character one last time.


  
  As far as negatives, it’s structure follows way too similarly to that of the second film, following along with themes of discrimination and expansion albeit not being constructed as tightly as that film and it’s a shame Bruce Lee wasn’t given a bigger role, considering how much they teased his appearance here. Aside from that, the modesty that defined good martial arts and heart in this franchise is also a principal virtue of the films that came before it and will hopefully come after. 


  
  What a way to end 2019, I suppose. Welcome to the New Year.

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