The name Bruce Lee is synonymous with Martial Arts cinema and the man, who died at a very young thirty two years old has achieved a mythical status since his untimely death. "Enter the Dragon" was the first large American film for the charismatic actor who first saw prominent popularity as Kato in the "Green Hornet" and "Batman" television shows after making numerous Hong Kong martial arts films. Lee died during the post-production stages of "Enter the Dragon" and two films would be made posthumously starring Bruce Lee. However, "Enter the Dragon" is the film that defined Bruce Lee and with his death from a cerebral edema; "Enter the Dragon" serves as a tragic reminder of what may have been if Bruce Lee had not died.
The film itself mixes Eastern martial arts with Western sensibilities and fashions from the 1970s. With afro-adorned Jim Kelly playing to numerous stereotypes and John Saxon taking on a role as a suave white American martial artists, "Enter the Dragon" serves not only as a reminder to the incredible talents of Bruce Lee, but provides a window at the stereotypes of Seventies Caucasians and African-Americans. Until "Enter the Dragon" was released into theaters, Hong Kong Kung-Fu movies featured only Asian actors and was a driving factor in delivering Hong Kong cinema to the United States. The film paved the way for eventual Hong Kong stars Jackie Chan (who has a brief cameo in "Enter the Dragon"), Jet Li and Chow Yun Fat to became bankable stars in Hollywood.
"Enter the Dragon" finds Bruce Lee starring as Lee, a master of martial arts who is sent on a mission to eliminate a fellow student of his masters and avenge the death of his sister. His mission brings him to a heavily secure and guarded island where the villain, Han (Shih Kien) sponsors and holds a Kung Fu tournament to see who is the best martial artist in the world. The tournament is a cover-up and recruiting tool for Han and the exotic island is his base of operations for a massive and highly profitable opium smuggling ring. Lee is to take part in the tournament and discover the secrets to Han and his island and report his findings to British police. Other combatants in the tournament include Williams (Jim Kelly) and Roper (John Saxon). Han is protected by the large and powerful bodyguard Bolo (Bolo Yeung).
Bruce Lee had a tremendous influence and heavy hand in the creation of "Enter the Dragon." He was responsible for choreographing and staging the film´s wonderful fight sequences. Numerous disciplines of martial arts are on display in "Enter the Dragon." Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo and others are championed by the actors. Though it is a product of the Western World, Lee´s influence guaranteed that "Enter the Dragon" could stand proudly and honorably among his earlier films and the most classic of Hong Kong productions. "Enter the Dragon" is a defining entry in the martial arts genre and the famous mirror combat between Lee and Han may very well be the most memorable of all Martial Arts moments.
This is a beautifully shot and highly entertaining film. It is not perfect and there are certainly a few moments of silliness and poor dialogue to be discovered. Having watched "Kentucky Fried Movie" a few times, it is hard to not laugh at some of the more comical moments in the film. The scene where Bruce Lee easily sneaks past a guard and hides behind a thin banister and railing, the dialogue of Han discussing the drunken vagabonds behind bars and the snake in the control room bit seem all the more ridiculous having seen them parodied. Regardless, the film is entertaining enough to ignore its often weak plot and the fight scenes of "Enter the Dragon" are absolutely incredible. When stacked up against today´s action films, such as "The Marine," "Enter the Dragon" is still a blessing. It is just a shame that its film´s star was never able to see the impact the film would have.
The film itself mixes Eastern martial arts with Western sensibilities and fashions from the 1970s. With afro-adorned Jim Kelly playing to numerous stereotypes and John Saxon taking on a role as a suave white American martial artists, "Enter the Dragon" serves not only as a reminder to the incredible talents of Bruce Lee, but provides a window at the stereotypes of Seventies Caucasians and African-Americans. Until "Enter the Dragon" was released into theaters, Hong Kong Kung-Fu movies featured only Asian actors and was a driving factor in delivering Hong Kong cinema to the United States. The film paved the way for eventual Hong Kong stars Jackie Chan (who has a brief cameo in "Enter the Dragon"), Jet Li and Chow Yun Fat to became bankable stars in Hollywood.
"Enter the Dragon" finds Bruce Lee starring as Lee, a master of martial arts who is sent on a mission to eliminate a fellow student of his masters and avenge the death of his sister. His mission brings him to a heavily secure and guarded island where the villain, Han (Shih Kien) sponsors and holds a Kung Fu tournament to see who is the best martial artist in the world. The tournament is a cover-up and recruiting tool for Han and the exotic island is his base of operations for a massive and highly profitable opium smuggling ring. Lee is to take part in the tournament and discover the secrets to Han and his island and report his findings to British police. Other combatants in the tournament include Williams (Jim Kelly) and Roper (John Saxon). Han is protected by the large and powerful bodyguard Bolo (Bolo Yeung).
Bruce Lee had a tremendous influence and heavy hand in the creation of "Enter the Dragon." He was responsible for choreographing and staging the film´s wonderful fight sequences. Numerous disciplines of martial arts are on display in "Enter the Dragon." Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo and others are championed by the actors. Though it is a product of the Western World, Lee´s influence guaranteed that "Enter the Dragon" could stand proudly and honorably among his earlier films and the most classic of Hong Kong productions. "Enter the Dragon" is a defining entry in the martial arts genre and the famous mirror combat between Lee and Han may very well be the most memorable of all Martial Arts moments.
This is a beautifully shot and highly entertaining film. It is not perfect and there are certainly a few moments of silliness and poor dialogue to be discovered. Having watched "Kentucky Fried Movie" a few times, it is hard to not laugh at some of the more comical moments in the film. The scene where Bruce Lee easily sneaks past a guard and hides behind a thin banister and railing, the dialogue of Han discussing the drunken vagabonds behind bars and the snake in the control room bit seem all the more ridiculous having seen them parodied. Regardless, the film is entertaining enough to ignore its often weak plot and the fight scenes of "Enter the Dragon" are absolutely incredible. When stacked up against today´s action films, such as "The Marine," "Enter the Dragon" is still a blessing. It is just a shame that its film´s star was never able to see the impact the film would have.
The name Bruce Lee is synonymous with Martial Arts cinema and the man, who died at a very young thirty two years old has achieved a mythical status since his untimely death. "Enter the Dragon" was the first large American film for the charismatic actor who first saw prominent popularity as Kato in the "Green Hornet" and "Batman" television shows after making numerous Hong Kong martial arts films. Lee died during the post-production stages of "Enter the Dragon" and two films would be made posthumously starring Bruce Lee. However, "Enter the Dragon" is the film that defined Bruce Lee and with his death from a cerebral edema; "Enter the Dragon" serves as a tragic reminder of what may have been if Bruce Lee had not died.
The film itself mixes Eastern martial arts with Western sensibilities and fashions from the 1970s. With afro-adorned Jim Kelly playing to numerous stereotypes and John Saxon taking on a role as a suave white American martial artists, "Enter the Dragon" serves not only as a reminder to the incredible talents of Bruce Lee, but provides a window at the stereotypes of Seventies Caucasians and African-Americans. Until "Enter the Dragon" was released into theaters, Hong Kong Kung-Fu movies featured only Asian actors and was a driving factor in delivering Hong Kong cinema to the United States. The film paved the way for eventual Hong Kong stars Jackie Chan (who has a brief cameo in "Enter the Dragon"), Jet Li and Chow Yun Fat to became bankable stars in Hollywood.
"Enter the Dragon" finds Bruce Lee starring as Lee, a master of martial arts who is sent on a mission to eliminate a fellow student of his masters and avenge the death of his sister. His mission brings him to a heavily secure and guarded island where the villain, Han (Shih Kien) sponsors and holds a Kung Fu tournament to see who is the best martial artist in the world. The tournament is a cover-up and recruiting tool for Han and the exotic island is his base of operations for a massive and highly profitable opium smuggling ring. Lee is to take part in the tournament and discover the secrets to Han and his island and report his findings to British police. Other combatants in the tournament include Williams (Jim Kelly) and Roper (John Saxon). Han is protected by the large and powerful bodyguard Bolo (Bolo Yeung).
Bruce Lee had a tremendous influence and heavy hand in the creation of "Enter the Dragon." He was responsible for choreographing and staging the film´s wonderful fight sequences. Numerous disciplines of martial arts are on display in "Enter the Dragon." Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo and others are championed by the actors. Though it is a product of the Western World, Lee´s influence guaranteed that "Enter the Dragon" could stand proudly and honorably among his earlier films and the most classic of Hong Kong productions. "Enter the Dragon" is a defining entry in the martial arts genre and the famous mirror combat between Lee and Han may very well be the most memorable of all Martial Arts moments.
This is a beautifully shot and highly entertaining film. It is not perfect and there are certainly a few moments of silliness and poor dialogue to be discovered. Having watched "Kentucky Fried Movie" a few times, it is hard to not laugh at some of the more comical moments in the film. The scene where Bruce Lee easily sneaks past a guard and hides behind a thin banister and railing, the dialogue of Han discussing the drunken vagabonds behind bars and the snake in the control room bit seem all the more ridiculous having seen them parodied. Regardless, the film is entertaining enough to ignore its often weak plot and the fight scenes of "Enter the Dragon" are absolutely incredible. When stacked up against today´s action films, such as "The Marine," "Enter the Dragon" is still a blessing. It is just a shame that its film´s star was never able to see the impact the film would have.
The film itself mixes Eastern martial arts with Western sensibilities and fashions from the 1970s. With afro-adorned Jim Kelly playing to numerous stereotypes and John Saxon taking on a role as a suave white American martial artists, "Enter the Dragon" serves not only as a reminder to the incredible talents of Bruce Lee, but provides a window at the stereotypes of Seventies Caucasians and African-Americans. Until "Enter the Dragon" was released into theaters, Hong Kong Kung-Fu movies featured only Asian actors and was a driving factor in delivering Hong Kong cinema to the United States. The film paved the way for eventual Hong Kong stars Jackie Chan (who has a brief cameo in "Enter the Dragon"), Jet Li and Chow Yun Fat to became bankable stars in Hollywood.
"Enter the Dragon" finds Bruce Lee starring as Lee, a master of martial arts who is sent on a mission to eliminate a fellow student of his masters and avenge the death of his sister. His mission brings him to a heavily secure and guarded island where the villain, Han (Shih Kien) sponsors and holds a Kung Fu tournament to see who is the best martial artist in the world. The tournament is a cover-up and recruiting tool for Han and the exotic island is his base of operations for a massive and highly profitable opium smuggling ring. Lee is to take part in the tournament and discover the secrets to Han and his island and report his findings to British police. Other combatants in the tournament include Williams (Jim Kelly) and Roper (John Saxon). Han is protected by the large and powerful bodyguard Bolo (Bolo Yeung).
Bruce Lee had a tremendous influence and heavy hand in the creation of "Enter the Dragon." He was responsible for choreographing and staging the film´s wonderful fight sequences. Numerous disciplines of martial arts are on display in "Enter the Dragon." Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo and others are championed by the actors. Though it is a product of the Western World, Lee´s influence guaranteed that "Enter the Dragon" could stand proudly and honorably among his earlier films and the most classic of Hong Kong productions. "Enter the Dragon" is a defining entry in the martial arts genre and the famous mirror combat between Lee and Han may very well be the most memorable of all Martial Arts moments.
This is a beautifully shot and highly entertaining film. It is not perfect and there are certainly a few moments of silliness and poor dialogue to be discovered. Having watched "Kentucky Fried Movie" a few times, it is hard to not laugh at some of the more comical moments in the film. The scene where Bruce Lee easily sneaks past a guard and hides behind a thin banister and railing, the dialogue of Han discussing the drunken vagabonds behind bars and the snake in the control room bit seem all the more ridiculous having seen them parodied. Regardless, the film is entertaining enough to ignore its often weak plot and the fight scenes of "Enter the Dragon" are absolutely incredible. When stacked up against today´s action films, such as "The Marine," "Enter the Dragon" is still a blessing. It is just a shame that its film´s star was never able to see the impact the film would have.
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