Principal photography for Ip Man 2 began in August 2009 and concluded in November; filming took place inside a studio located in Shanghai.

In 1950, Ip attempts to open a school to propagate his art, as well as make a living during the difficult times, but struggles to attract students due to his lack of reputation in the city.

One day, a young man named Wong Shun Leung appears and promptly challenges Ip to a fight, but is easily defeated.

Ip goes to the local wet market as directed, but the meeting ends in a confrontation with a growing mob of Hung Ga students.

The students' master and head of the coalition of Hong Kong's martial arts clubs, Hung Chun-nam, arrives to break up the fight.

Ip, Wong, and Jin are subsequently arrested by Fatso, a Chinese RHKPF detective, for disturbing the peace, but are later released on bail.

Hung and Fatso secretly meet with Superintendent Wallace, an corrupt British senior officer, to deliver protection money collected from both the local shops and martial art schools.

Ip leaves, and the next day, Hung gives him and his students free tickets to a martial arts exhibition arranged by Wallace and Fatso.

However, Wallace's guest, renowned boxer Taylor "The Twister" Miller, openly insults and assaults the students, causing a brawl that the masters try to quell.

At first, Hung's wide range of skills and techniques give him the edge; however, most of his counterattacks have little effect on the younger and fitter Twister, and he is slowly worn down by the boxer's sheer power.

A press conference is held the following day, where Wallace lies about Hung's death being accidental and Twister announces that, in order to clear his name, he will accept a challenge from any Chinese martial artist.

Ip arrives and challenges Twister to a fight, while Fatso secretly meets with Kan and offers him compromising information on Wallace.

Sometime later, Yau introduces his master to a boy named Bruce Lee, who wishes to learn Wing Chun in order to beat up people he doesn't like.

Ip Man 2 was produced by Raymond Wong and distributed by his company Mandarin Films upon its theatrical release in Hong Kong.

[5] Prior to Ip Man's theatrical release in December 2008, producer Raymond Wong announced plans to develop a sequel to the film.

[1] The sequel continues Ip Man's story, focusing on his move to Hong Kong as he attempts to propagate Wing Chun in the region.

[9] Hung stated that the difficulty of her role lay in playing someone who goes from "a naive and simple-minded young woman to a strong, understanding and supportive adult.

[7] In a cameo appearance, Simon Yam reprises his role as Ip's friend Chow Ching-chuen, who is now a mentally disabled beggar.

"[15] Yen and Yip reportedly conducted a worldwide casting call for a suitable candidate to play Lee, who is Ip Man's most celebrated disciple.

"[20] However, in February 2010, it was revealed that British actor and stunt performer Darren Shahlavi would have a supporting role as a boxing opponent fighting against Ip Man.

Screenwriter Edmond Wong stated that the film also explorers "how Hong Kong people were treated under British colonial rule, and Western attitudes concerning Chinese kung fu".

The film focuses on disputes between the disciples of Hung Ga and Wing Chun martial arts, as well as the conflict and rivalry of the two practitioners.

He also stated that he plans to challenge Yen in a future film: "Although I'm the martial arts choreographer, our moves were all rather regulated, being confined by the script.

[23] Wilson Yip praised his performance in the film, stating that Huang "may not be a martial artist, but he specially ordered a wooden dummy, and trained daily at home.

[33] Ip Man 2 continued to stay at number one at the box office, dropping an additional 39.4% in its fourth week and grossing HK$3,199,567 (US$411,115).

[43] In the first half of the year 2010 (from 1 January to 30 June 2010), Ip Man 2 was the highest grossing Hong Kong film to be released in the country.

"[49] Joy Fang, a critic for online news portal AsiaOne wrote, "While not as big a movie as the first one, which focuses on heartbreaking and intense issues arising from the Japanese occupation in China, this film evokes Chinese pride with its strong cultural roots.

"[51] Amir Hafizi of The Malay Mail praised Sammo Hung's martial arts choreography: "With fluid movements intricate interplay between contrasting martial styles and gorgeous sequences, kung fu fans will definitely get their eye-balls' worth here as this time around, the introduction of Western boxing into the mix makes for some interesting choreography.

"[52] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times awarded Ip Man 2 three stars out of four, writing, "In its direct and sincere approach, it's a rebuke to the frenzied editing that reduces so many recent action movies into incomprehensible confusion.

Paquet concluded his review by writing, "Ultimately, the film's energy and humour overcome cartoonishly bad performances from the British actors and an utter lack of surprises in the final two reels.