Set in 1930s Hong Kong, it sees future kung fu grasp Ip Man (Miu Tse) combating for the “rejuvenation of the Chinese language nation” by taking up a gang of oddly accented British colonists.
Younger martial arts star (and protégé of Jet Li) Miu Tse pulls off some spectacular strikes as he confronts the evil Mr. Stark (performed by the Italian-sounding Sergio Di Isso).
Stark, as a grasp of the 19th-century British blended martial artwork baritsu (apparently an actual factor), has been kidnapping and trafficking native ladies in collusion with the Hong Kong authorities.
Deciding to face up towards his British oppressors, Ip Man units about liberating the ladies whereas elevating nationalist slogans and incurring the wrath of Stark and his henchmen.
The struggle scenes are well choreographed and energetically staged, however the plot is as skinny as Tse’s barely written character.
The flag-waving made me really feel a bit uneasy given the latest human rights violations dedicated by communist China within the allegedly democratic ex-colony.