Ip Man 2 Blu-ray Review

"Ip Man 2" arrives on Blu-ray in a 1080p High Definition format with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio and MPEG-4 AVC encoding. The visual presentation is notably strong, offering excellent clarity, fine object detail, and superb contrast levels throughout the film. The color palette, while subdued to maintain the period feel, remains rich and well-saturated, covering a range of yellows, greens, blues, reds, grays, and blacks. These colors are in line with the movie’s vintage aesthetic, avoiding vibrancy to stay true to the material. The film grain is consistent and adds a fresh cinematic texture without appearing unruly, and there are no significant issues with edge enhancement or noise reduction.

Black levels are robust; though some scenes approach the brink of crush, they manage to maintain balance without becoming muddled. Shadows envelop many scenes effectively but could benefit from a bit more detail. Skin tones and facial details are rendered spectacularly, enhancing the viewing experience with their realistic texture and tone. Additionally, the transfer is free from annoying artifacts like flecks, scratches, or stains, confirming its high-quality rendition suitable for even the most demanding viewers. All in all, this Blu-ray release delivers an excellent high-definition presentation that stays true to the source material’s technical and artistic requirements.

The audio presentation on the Blu-ray release of "Ip Man 2" offers a comprehensive suite of five audio tracks, catering to a variety of preferences. The sound options provide Cantonese LPCM 7.1, Cantonese Dolby TrueHD 7.1, Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, and Mandarin Dolby Digital 5.1 EX. For authenticity and avoidance of synchronization issues, the Cantonese tracks are recommended, given the film’s predominant use of Cantonese during production. Notably, three Cantonese tracks offer Linear PCM, DTS-HD Master Audio, and Dolby TrueHD, designed for 8-channel delivery. While these mixes are comprehensive, they are most impactful during the elaborate fight sequences. Dialogue clarity is superb, primarily occupying the frontal array, while the score dynamically underscores emotional beats and rousing sequences.

The Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track particularly stands out with potent bass and impactful rear channel effects. The soundscape during action scenes, such as Ip Man’s intense tests by the masters, provides an immersive auditory experience that audiophiles would appreciate. High frequencies are balanced without being overbearing, allowing for crisp and clean dialogue delivery. Additionally, there were no audio artifacts such as pops, cracks, or hissing noted during playback, emphasizing the high production quality of this track.

Comparative assessments of the Cantonese LPCM 7.1 and Dolby TrueHD 7.1 tracks reveal dynamic amplitudes and dialogue clarity on par with the DTS-HD Master Audio track. While each offers a technically superfluous range for a martial arts film, their inclusion ensures versatility depending on listener preference. Despite minor grammatical errors in the English subtitle translations, the overall audio presentation delivers a superbly balanced listening experience befitting the high-def action of this compelling martial arts drama.

The Blu-ray extras for "Ip Man 2" offer a compelling and comprehensive overview of the film's production and thematic significance. The standout feature is the detailed Making-Of Featurette, which, over 18 minutes, delves into Ip Man's legacy, the political milieu of the era, and provides engaging behind-the-scenes footage. The Cast and Crew Interviews are exhaustive, offering in-depth insights from key figures like Wilson Yip, Sammo Hung, and Donnie Yen, enriching our understanding of their contributions. Another highlight is the Featurette on Four Major Scenes, which meticulously examines pivotal sets, providing context for the movie's main sequences. Furthermore, the Shooting Diary offers a concise visual montage of filming setups, while the Deleted Scenes feature enriches the narrative depth left out from the final cut.

Extras included in this disc:

• Making Of: Overview of production with behind-the-scenes footage.
• Cast and Crew Interviews: Detailed discussions with key personnel.
• 4 Big Scenes: In-depth look at the film's major sets.
• Shooting Diary: Behind-the-scenes montage set to film music.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional footage not in the final cut.
• Gala Premiere: Footage from Hong Kong premiere.
• Photo Gallery: Collection of film stills.
• Ip Man Trailer: Original film trailer.
• Ip Man 2 Trailer: Sequel trailer with subtitles.

"Ip Man 2," directed by Wilson Yip, resumes the journey of Wing Chun Grandmaster Ip Man (Donnie Yen) as he relocates to Hong Kong post-Sino-Japanese War. The film portrays his challenges in establishing a martial arts school and his confrontations with both local masters and British colonizers. The relationship between Ip Man and his student Wong Leung (Huang Xiaoming) is explored, adding depth to the narrative. The plot thickens when Ip Man faces off against Master Hung Quan (Sammo Hung) in a high-stakes ceremonial duel, garnering media attention. This showdown is followed by clashes with British officials and the boxer Twister (Darren Shahlavi), culminating in a high-profile boxing match that pits Chinese martial arts against Western pugilism.

Despite offering an intense array of excellently choreographed fight scenes directed by Sammo Hung, the sequel suffers from several narrative weaknesses. Edmond Wong's script lacks depth, failing to provide substantial insights into Ip Man's life and teachings. Instead, it focuses predominantly on his battles with two central opponents. The storyline is bogged down by clichéd political themes that feel out of place and overly propagandistic, detracting from the movie’s biographical essence. Notably, Pooh Hang-Sang's cinematography, though visually appealing, often relies on rapid camera cuts and zooms that may exhaust viewers over time.

In terms of production quality, the Blu-ray from Universe Laser & Video Co. includes both technical excellence and a wealth of supplementary features. These comprise making-of featurettes, cast and crew interviews, deleted scenes, and extra footage from the film's gala premiere, all presented with optional English and Traditional Chinese subtitles for the main feature. Despite the narrative flaws, "Ip Man 2" remains a visually impressive martial arts film, valuable more for its action sequences than its story.

"Ip Man 2" on Blu-Ray offers a visually striking experience, with remarkable attention to detail in both video and audio quality. The fight sequences are fluid and vividly captured, particularly the scenes featuring the formidable duo of Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung. The dynamic presentation of martial arts choreography is undoubtedly one of the highlights, making this disc a must-have for fans of the genre. However, viewers must ensure they select the correct audio option to fully appreciate the sound design.

The supplemental features on this Region A-locked Blu-ray are commendable, providing comprehensive insights into the film's production and historical context. Notable among these extras are the deleted scenes, which are accompanied by English subtitles, ensuring accessibility for a broad audience. The inclusion of these features enhances the overall value of the Blu-ray, creating an enriched viewing experience that goes beyond the main feature.

In conclusion, "Ip Man 2" is a solid continuation of Donnie Yen's acclaimed portrayal of the legendary Wing Chun master. While it primarily caters to existing fans of Donnie Yen and martial arts films, it also offers enough substance and engaging fight scenes to attract a wider audience. The Blu-ray's impressive technical proficiency and extensive supplemental content make it highly recommended for both dedicated followers and newcomers interested in martial arts cinema.