Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy (2018) (Blu-ray) (Hong Kong Version) Blu-ray Region All

In 2015's Ip Man 3, Max Zhang left a strong impression as Wing Chun practitioner Cheung Tin Chi, who persistently challenged Ip Man for the title of Hong Kong's top martial artist. While not an antagonist, the character was an adversary to Ip Man for much of the film and provided various scene-stealing moments for Zhang. Three years later, the actor stepped back into the shoes of Cheung Tin Chi to headline his own film set after the events of Ip Man 3.

Having closed his martial arts school and set aside the chip on his shoulder since we last saw him, Cheung Tin Chi is now content with running a dusty corner store and taking care of his son. Naturally, trouble finds him anyway when he steps up to save a girl from debt-collecting thugs. This gets him in the cross hairs of petulant mobster Tso Sai Kit (Kevin Cheng) whose older sister (Michelle Yeoh) is trying to bring the family business above ground. Tin Chi is forced back into action to protect his friends and neighborhood from a drug-dealing syndicate.

Though the character of Cheung Tin Chi is actually written to be less intense and interesting in this story than in Ip Man 3, Zhang holds his own in a traditional leading hero arc, eliciting sympathy as a struggling single father in between sparring with different opponents. Known for his scene-stealing supporting turns, the late-blooming action star shows that he is more than capable of carrying his own film. Of course, Zhang does have obvious help in the star and action department with Michelle Yeoh, Dave Bautista and Tony Jaa in the cast.

Lack of Donnie Yen aside, there's little to complain about in terms of the quality and variety of fight scenes. Yuen Woo Ping, who was the action choreographer of Ip Man 3, takes over as director for this entry, assuring that the film is focused on the action. As predictable as Master Z may be, the straightforward storytelling keeps the film and fights on track, and it proves to be far better than the legendary action choreographer's last two directorial efforts.

Master Z continues the Ip Man series' reputation of entertaining, well-produced martial arts action films with respectable themes and thrilling fights. It may not be a classic but this extension of the Ip Man universe should readily satisfy action and Hong Kong cinema fans alike.