The Grandmaster parents guide

The Grandmaster Parent Guide

Unfortunately, while this biographical drama features discipline, honor and respect for cultural values, those worthwhile messages too often take a backseat to the scenery.

Overall B

This epic martial arts film depicts Ip Man (Tony Leung Chiu Wai), a kung fu master whose skills are tested during tumultuous political times in China.

Release date August 23, 2013

Violence C
Sexual Content B
Profanity C-
Substance Use D+

Why is The Grandmaster rated PG-13? The MPAA rated The Grandmaster PG-13 for violence, some smoking, brief drug use and language.

Run Time: 130 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

Whether or not you like the martial arts genre, The Grandmaster is a visually stunning epic. Every scene directed by Chinese born Wong Kar-wai appears to have merited the attention and precision of an artist setting up a painting.

In an opening scene, a group of attackers take on a lone man in the middle of a rain-filled street. Water droplets hang momentarily on the white, wide-brimmed hat of the defendant before he strikes out at his opponents. The ensuing shots change rapidly between a series of camera angles. Splashing water fills the screen as the men struggle. It’s so cinematically beautiful that one forgets this is really a gang of thugs in a street fight.

The man at the center of all the attention is Ip Man (Tony Leung Chiu Wai), a grandmaster of the kung fu discipline of Wing Chun. He is being watched by Gong Yutian (Wang Qingxiang), a master from northern China. Ready to retire, the aging man has chosen Ma San (Zhang Jin) as his replacement in the North. But he believes the South deserves an heir for his dynasty as well. Ip Man may be the heir apparent if he can beat the elderly doyen.

Ip Man’s reign is short-lived however when Japanese troops invade the country. Forced to eke out whatever sustenance he can in the war torn city of Foshan, Ip Man watches his wife (Song Hye-kyo) and children face starvation. He also learns Gong Yutian has been killed and his daughter Gong Er (Zhang Ziyi) a young woman with whom Ip Man has been exchanging letters, has vowed to avenge his death.

In an effort to find work, Ip Man leaves his wife and moves to Hong Kong in hopes of teaching martial arts. But the city is overrun with masters seeking students. In order to procure a following, Ip Man must once again prove his physical prowess and fighting skills.

While Ip Man’s story is the gist of the film, this cinematic wonder tends to wander. Leaving the main character momentarily on the sidelines, it pursues the narrative of other secondary characters before finally ambling back to Ip Man—all the time giving preference to the visual elements rather than action.

As well, the English subtitles may discourage some viewers. Yet despite the frequent and sometimes graphic depictions of martial arts violence, the film contains very little blood or gore. Rampant smoking and some drug use in this historical drama, along with brief, strong language, may also be an issue for some audience members.

The real Ip Man, who trained Bruce Lee, one of the most famous Chinese American martial artists and action film actors in history, has been the subject of numerous films over the past few years including Ip Man, Ip Man 2, The Legend is Born—Ip Man and Ip Man: The Final Fight. However The Grandmaster is likely by far the most artsy of the projects. Unfortunately, while this biographical drama features discipline, honor and respect for cultural values, those worthwhile messages too often take a backseat to the scenery.

Release Date: 23 August 2013 (Limited) Note: Original title: Yi dai zong shi

Directed by Kar Wai Wong. Starring Ziyi Zhang, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Chen Chang, Jin Zhang. Running time: 130 minutes. Theatrical release August 23, 2013. Updated

The Grandmaster
Rating & Content Info

Why is The Grandmaster rated PG-13? The Grandmaster is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for violence, some smoking, brief drug use and language.

Violence: Frequent depictions of martial arts violence include kicking, punching and beating. Some weapons such as swords or other objects are used. Extensive property damage occurs during the fights. One man is thrown through a window. A man sustains bloody facial injuries after a brutal fight. The sound of bone breaking is heard. Explosions and other war violence are seen. A man vomits after being punched in the stomach. A character coughs up blood after suffering internal injuries.

Sexual Content: A married couple embraces. An implied romantic attraction occurs between two martial arts opponents. Some brief sexual innuendo is included.

Language: The subtitles include brief language and one strong sexual expletive.

Alcohol / Drug Use: Numerous characters smoke and some use alcohol. A character turns to opium to deal with pain. A scene of the drug use is shown.

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The Grandmaster Parents' Guide

This story is inspired by the life of Yip Man (Ip Man), the martial-arts master who trained actor/martial artist Bruce Lee.

How does the director’s use of cinematography contribute to the telling of the story? How are camera angles, lighting and a focus on elements like water and snow all used to emphasize the martial arts skills of the performers?

Gong Er feels a need to restore her family honor and she does so by fighting. Is there a need to restore honor? What is the cost to her personally?

While the film implies a romantic interest shared by Ip Man and Gong Er there is no indication they ever acted on their feelings other than to exchange letters? How did the war intrude on their relationship? Might things have been different if Ip Man had made the journey to the North? Does Ip Man’s wife feel betrayed, even though there appears to be no physical intimacy between Ip Man and Gong Er? Is emotional fidelity as real as physical fidelity?

Why is Gong Yatian so determined to have his family dynasty continued? Why is he disappointed that he only has a daughter? How were women viewed in that era of Chinese history?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of The Grandmaster movie is March 4, 2014. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: The Grandmaster

Release Date: 4 March 2014

The Grandmaster releases to home video with the following extras:

- The Grandmaster: From Ip Man to Bruce Lee

- A Conversation with Shannon Lee, Daughter of Bruce Lee

- Behind the Scenes Featurette

- The Grandmaster According to RZA

Related home video titles:

Martial arts take center stage in the these films too: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Iron Monkey. More light-hearted depictions can be found in The Forbidden Kingdom and Kung Fu Panda.

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