Hollywood blockbusters are all about action, flash, and spectacle. Modern hits like the Avengers series, Mission: Impossible, or the James Bond films are perfect examples of successful Hollywood blockbusters. Their major budgets allow for expensive CGI, explosions, and set pieces to exhilarate their audiences. Even the most diehard action fans, however, can grow weary of the same explosions in each movie. If you’re looking for a change of pace while still experiencing the exhilaration, look no further than the Ip Man series or Indonesian thriller The Raid (2011) directed by Gareth Evans. Watching the action in these films, you would never guess their low budgets such as under $12 million USD for Ip Man (2008) and $1.1 million USD for The Raid.
The Ip Man series is a Hong Kong martial arts film based on the original Ip Man, master of Wing Chun and eventual teacher of Bruce Lee. Donnie Yen plays the titular character, a role which would launch his career into Hollywood stardom along the likes of Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Bruce Lee himself (Archbold). Ip Man (2008) also exposed western culture to the legend of the real Ip Man (Archbold). With action sequences choreographed by renowned martial arts choreographer Sammo Hung being executed wonderfully on camera by martial arts master Donnie Yen, the Ip Man series is sure to satisfy the taste of anybody looking to get away from the classic Hollywood explosion-fest.
If you’re looking for something set in the modern era as opposed to 1930s like in Ip Man, then consider checking out The Raid (2011). This movie is 101 minutes of pure adrenaline. Starring Indonesian actor and martial artist, Iko Uwais as Indonesian National Police rookie Rama, The Raid tells the story of an elite squad sent to infiltrate and clear a high-rise building in the slums of Jakarta that is run by a merciless drug-lord. The fight choreography, designed by choreographer Yayan Ruhian and Uwais himself, is visceral and captivating. Brutal fight scenes are well paced with brief but necessary breaks in action, and our main character feels his injuries as the movie progresses. With masterful cinematography, gripping action sequences, and a compelling story, The Raid is a must watch for those weary of the modern Hollywood blockbuster.
http://www.looper.com/265916/every-ip-man-movie-ranked-worst-to-best/
http://wingchunpai.com/ip-mans-biography-the-life-of-the-martial-arts-legend/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1899353/
https://geekculture.co/geek-review-ip-man-4-the-finale/
By JD Adams
Seoul Searching 