Parents' Guide to

Ip Man

By Brian Costello, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Excellent martial arts biopic of man who trained Bruce Lee.

Movie R 2008 106 minutes
Ip Man Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 13+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Mik D.
Mik D. Parent of 14 and 15-year-old
May 1, 2023
age 18+

F word used quite frequently

The f word is used quite frequently and there is a considerable amount of violence, but nothing like you'd expect from Hollywood. Other than it not being suitable for the age rating, the film is utter rubbish. Poor plot, poor VFX , questionable acting and a cringe worthy script. Both me and my daughter I enjoyed the other Ip Man movies and found them to be age appropriate, but not this.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
Sebastian L.
Sebastian L. Adult
March 11, 2023
age 12+
Film includes war scenes but overall is has good moral compass and story, I would recommend it to people of 12 and above.

This title has:

Great messages
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In the Fo Shan province of 1930s China, IP MAN (Donnie Yen) is a Wing Chung master and the most skilled of all the martial artists in the area. But when the Japanese Army takes over Fo Shan, the population is decimated, and Ip Man loses his mansion and struggles to provide for his family by working at a coal mine. The Japanese General Miura, a karate master, establishes a martial arts arena and offers Chinese martial artists a bag of rice if they volunteer to fight Chinese martial artists and win. Ip Man is initially reluctant to fight, but when a friend who volunteered is murdered after fighting, he accepts the challenge. After Ip Man wins in the arena, he turns down more offers to fight, but Miura, with the help of his sadistic underling Sato, pursue him and his family. When Ip Man is planning to escape to Hong Kong, Miura demands that he teach the Japanese Wing Chung, but Ip Man refuses, and challenges Miura to a public fight in the town square. During this fight, Ip Man must win in order to protect his family, and must also inspire what remains of his townspeople to rise up against the Japanese Army.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (7):

This film deserves a place among the very best of not only contemporary martial arts movies, but martial arts movies of all time. The story, action, characters, time, and setting all work together to create an unforgettable epic. While the styles and conventions of martial arts movies are on full display, what emerges is an absolutely riveting story, and not just because of the action. Furthermore, there's something full circle about the reveal that Ip Man was Bruce Lee's instructor. Not only did Ip Man fight fascists, he was also seminal in the development of the icon who made martial arts movies such an international phenomenon.

As the film's title character, Donnie Yen deftly balances the intense and expected martial arts sequences with the humility and modesty that also seemed to define the man. There's a subtlety and nuance in what he's doing as an actor that's easily overlooked amid all the kicking, punching, and fighting with swords, axes, and sticks. It's a movie that seems to reward repeated viewings, and it's little wonder how Ip Man launched a franchise of sequels. Exciting and engaging from beginning to end.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about martial arts movies. How does Ip Man compare to other movies in the genre?

  • How does the movie's epilogue place Ip Man's life squarely in the history and tradition of martial arts movies?

  • How does Ip Man view fighting and violence? How is this in contrast to other action movie heroes who seem to view violence as the first, if not only, solution?

Movie Details

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