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The Grandmaster

Play trailer Poster for The Grandmaster PG-13 2013 2h 10m Biography Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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78% Tomatometer 139 Reviews 59% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
The fall of China's last dynasty, a time of chaos, division and war, is the golden age of Chinese martial arts. Legendary kung fu master Ip Man, who will eventually train Bruce Lee, finds his peaceful life interrupted by vengeance.
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The Grandmaster

The Grandmaster

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Critics Consensus

Though its storytelling is a tad muddled, Wong Kar Wai's The Grandmaster still exhibits the auteur's stylistic flourishes in gorgeous cinematography and explosive action set pieces.

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Critics Reviews

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J. Hoberman ARTINFO.com Feb 25, 2019
The Grandmaster strikes me as Wong's strongest film since In the Mood for Love and surprisingly credible as an exercise in kung fu stylistics as well as temps perdu. Go to Full Review Mark Kermode Observer (UK) Dec 7, 2014
3/5
The Grandmaster interweaves themes of ancient loyalty and modern betrayal around a narrative predicated upon the interplay between the differing schools, traditions and movements of myriad martial arts disciplines. Go to Full Review Vadim Rizov Sight & Sound Dec 5, 2014
Each punch, kick and impact is captured cleanly and coherently, Wong serving the spectacle of a big brawl rather than resisting its adrenalised charms. Go to Full Review Carla Renata The Curvy Film Critic Mar 24, 2026
The colorful fight scenes and cinematography illustrating Wing Chun were like watching a perfected cinematic ballet. Go to Full Review Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson Oct 14, 2024
3/5
With a penchant for moody music, colorful imagery, decorated interiors, and splendidly unique cinematography, Kar-wai brings those talents to a totally new genre for him with The Grandmaster. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Aug 19, 2023
Yuen Wo Ping provides the choreography, which Wong turns into something more like a dance on screen. To Wong, the power of the movement is not just in its effect upon a rival fighter but in the way the man moves through the world. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Leprechaun K @LeprechaunKing Feb 26, 2025 Probably one of my least favorite WKW films. My Blueberry Nights being the absolutely worst. WKW has always preferred style over substance. In this case, Style x Martial Arts wears thin. See more Marit Risto F @RT66247982 Feb 26, 2024 Despite all the fighting, I think this is the best film I've ever seen. Unbelievable images. Strong artistic and poetic appeal See more John A @ExcessMale Aug 25, 2023 Wong Kar-Wai doesn't seem so concerned with the truly fascinating historical/character aspects surrounding Ip Man's life however I can't help feverishly fixating on such a masterfully crafted film with CGI-free martial arts action scenes. See more Andre G @RT43547453 Aug 5, 2023 Beautiful cinematography. Many scenes are like paintings. See more Jul 16, 2023 Every scene and every primary actor in this movie is amazing. Plus, one of the only films I know that addresses the Japanese occupation of China. See more Steve C @RT19610513 Jun 25, 2023 This is Wong's artist take on the Ip Man's story, starring one of his favorite leading man from his other movies. So don't bother comparing it to Donnie Yen's action counterpart series of 4 movies, it's like comparing apples and oranges. See more Read all reviews
The Grandmaster

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Cast & Crew

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Kar-Wai Wong

Director

Tony Leung Chiu Wai

Ip Man

Zhang Ziyi

Gong Er

Chang Chen

Razor

Qingxiang Wang

Gong Yutien

Zhang Jin

Ma San

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The Grandmaster

Chen Chang as The Razor Yixiantian in "The Grandmaster." Zhang Ziyi as Gong Er in "The Grandmaster." Ziyi Zhang as Gong Er in "The Grandmaster." Tony Leung Chiu Wai as Yip Man in "The Grandmaster." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The fall of China's last dynasty, a time of chaos, division and war, is the golden age of Chinese martial arts. Legendary kung fu master Ip Man, who will eventually train Bruce Lee, finds his peaceful life interrupted by vengeance.
Director
Kar-Wai Wong
Producer
Jacky Yee Wah Pang
Screenwriter
Zou Jingzhi, Xu Haofeng
Distributor
Weinstein Co.
Production Co
Annapurna Pictures
Rating
PG-13 (Language|Brief Drug Use|Some Smoking|Violence)
Genre
Biography, Drama
Original Language
Chinese
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 23, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 15, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$6.6M
Runtime
2h 10m
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