The Grandmaster

Name: The Grandmaster
Genre: Action, Biography, Drama
Released: August 23, 2013
Duration: 108 min
Rating: 73
Cast: Benshan Zhao, Chen Chang, Cung Le, Hye-kyo Song, Jin Zhang

2013

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 37 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 100 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 100 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Weinstein Company, The | Release Date: August 23, 2013 | PG-13

Starring: Benshan Zhao, Chen Chang, Cung Le, Hye-kyo Song, Jin Zhang, Qingxiang Wang, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Ziyi Zhang

Summary: The Grandmaster is an epic action feature inspired by the life and times of legendary martial-arts master Ip Man. The story spans the tumultuous Republican era that followed the fall of Chinaâ

Director: Kar Wai Wong

Genre(s): Action, Biography, Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 108 min

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Metascore

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Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Manohla Dargis

Aug 22, 2013

The Grandmaster is, at its most persuasive, about the triumph of style. When Ip Man slyly asks “What’s your style?” it’s clear that Mr. Wong is asking the same question because here, as in his other films, style isn’t reducible to ravishing surfaces; it’s an expression of meaning. Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

Aug 29, 2013

The Grandmaster sets aside traditional story structure in its last 15 minutes and becomes one of the filmmaker’s free-form visual poems, suffused with melancholy and compassion. Read full review

Kim Newman

Dec 1, 2014

It may not be much more than six of the most imaginatively staged and filmed fight scenes in the cinema, but that’s almost certainly enough to recommend it. Read full review

Peter Rainer

Aug 23, 2013

Tony Leung plays Ip Man, the real-life kung fu innovator who most famously trained Bruce Lee. His life takes in the upheavals in China from the 1930s through the ’50s, including the Japanese occupation. Read full review

David Denby

Sep 6, 2013

A superb martial discipline has ended in a commercial movie genre--not the worst fate in the world, but the comic irony of it is of little interest to a director bent on glorification. [9 Sept. 2013, p.90]

Liam Lacey

Aug 22, 2013

There are sequences in Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai’s new film, The Grandmaster, that are as gorgeous as anything you’ll see on a screen this year, or perhaps this decade. Read full review

Mike Scott

Aug 30, 2013

The end result feels like only half a movie. That half -- the technical half, with Wong's stylistic flourishes and the film's lush technical elements -- is a heck of a film. The rest of The Grandmaster, however -- the storytelling -- is anything but grand. Read full review

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User Reviews

sfzendog

Nov 28, 2013

There's no accounting for taste, I know, but the next-to-last scene between Tony Leung and ZiYi Zhang should be required for any actor. (I am a professional actor.) So much feeling and information passes between these two people without a hint of "selling"---doing nothing more than actuallyThere's no accounting for taste, I know, but the next-to-last scene between Tony Leung and ZiYi Zhang should be required for any actor. (I am a professional actor.) So much feeling and information passes between these two people without a hint of "selling"---doing nothing more than actually inhabiting the deepest feelings. It's a tour de force. Personally, I love the movie, but I can't imagine anyone walking away from such a scene and not being moved. It's hard to shake the feeling that a reviewer who called this stupid is not revealing more about themselves than they intended.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

figgle20

Aug 30, 2013

Definitely the best one among numerous martial arts films! This movie is more than Kung Fu. It is a sound story introducing a fundamental spirit of Chinese culture. Stronger on Kung Fu does not necessarily mean a stronger image. It is vision and breadth of mind.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

MarcDoyle

Aug 27, 2013

It's an absolutely beautiful film beautifully shot, engaging story, and elegant action sequences. Ziyi Zhang is phenomenal in portraying her story of loyalty and commitment. I was enthralled throughout.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

TVJerry

Sep 3, 2013

Kar Wai Wong creates wonderful Chinese art films ("Chungking Express," "In the Mood for Love"). This is his attempt to put "art" to martial arts. It's a broad-stroke bio of kung fu master Ip Man with the following structure: a physical encounter, a slow serious conversation, some narration,Kar Wai Wong creates wonderful Chinese art films ("Chungking Express," "In the Mood for Love"). This is his attempt to put "art" to martial arts. It's a broad-stroke bio of kung fu master Ip Man with the following structure: a physical encounter, a slow serious conversation, some narration, repeat. Visually, this is rich and masterful. The fights are fast, flashy and reality based. For martial arts history buffs, this might work, but anyone seeking a sumptuous film like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" will find the slow pacing and affected style to be a disappointment. (In Chinese with fast subtitles)… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

DoniJr

Nov 9, 2018

Visually remarkable, 'The Grandmaster' it's full of great action scenes and characters but sometimes it's a little too dragging and melodramatic.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Bikerjames

Sep 9, 2013

I am a fan of Chinese Martial arts films such as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "House of Flying Daggers", and "Hero" so I went to see this film. While it was beautiful to look at, the story, what little there is, didn't hold my interest. It is crucial that the two leads have chemistryI am a fan of Chinese Martial arts films such as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "House of Flying Daggers", and "Hero" so I went to see this film. While it was beautiful to look at, the story, what little there is, didn't hold my interest. It is crucial that the two leads have chemistry for this slow, plodding story to succeed, and I felt ZERO chemistry between them. I enjoyed the look and soundtrack of the film but never was engaged.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Motcritic

Dec 2, 2013

I just don't like this movie, the word that I would use to describe it is: Ridiculous.
I can't place this movie anywhere, I don't know if it was supposed to be like it is, or if it is a failed attempt at something else, I didn't like it from start to end, it lacks everything, nothing reallyI just don't like this movie, the word that I would use to describe it is: Ridiculous.
I can't place this movie anywhere, I don't know if it was supposed to be like it is, or if it is a failed attempt at something else, I didn't like it from start to end, it lacks everything, nothing really to be salvaged, even the action sequences looked... let's say, not good.

I saw it when it came out so I don't remember how good it was in each category, but the movie genre says it is an:

Action
Like I said, didn't saw anything special about the action sequences, looked like implausible martial arts choreography.

Biography
Seriously? This is at least an insult to the viewer intelligence, claiming this to be even remotely biographical is criminal.

Drama
Pure boredom between bad martial arts action sequences.

I can't see a reason to watch this movie, I can't see myself in any type of mood that would had allow me to enjoy this bad piece of cinema.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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