There was a time when martial arts films were non-existent to American audiences. The closest any film here came to martial arts was the use of ninjas in the James Bond movie YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE. All others were nothing more than fodder for grindhouses across the country, poorly shot and poorly dubbed movies that ran in with scratched copies pieced together from one location to the next. At the same time Asian Americans were not getting their due in films or TV either. To this day people talk about the terrible stereotyped images, especially that of Mickey Rooney in BREAKFAST AT TIFFANYS. Then along came Bruce Lee.
Even as his career began Asian Americans were still being depicted poorly. After appearing in films in China and a troubled youth, Lee was sent to America with the hopes of turning his life around. He began learning martial arts and eventually created his own style called Jeet Kune Do. Lured to the possibility of a role in TV he auditioned for and got the part of Kato in THE GREEN HORNET, a spin-off of the popular BATMAN series. Playing the part of the Hornet’s sidekick he took center stage with his charisma and skills.
After creating a series for TV called KUNG FU, the part he had written for himself was given to David Carradine, another slap in the face of this young man. He moved back to Hong Kong to try making a name for himself in film there. His fortunes turned around and a legend was born with his first film, THE BIG BOSS. When released the film became the top grossing film in Asia. He was a star. Dead at age 32 in 1973 his legend still lives on. Few have met let alone surpassed the skills he displayed.
Now Criterion is releasing the ultimate collection of
memorable films starring the late Bruce Lee. They’ve not only collected the
last five major releases they’ve remastered them in 2 and 4k versions for this
collection. The films include THE BIG BOSS, FISTS OF FURY, THE WAY OF THE
DRAGON, ENTER THE DRAGON and GAME OF DEATH. Also featured is the American
theatrical edition of ENTER THE DRAGON not seen since it was released here in
1973.
Each film is a stepping stone in the career of Lee showing his rise from a lead role in his first film with a lower budget to work with to his final release produced in association with Warner Brothers and a decent budget. THE WAY OF THE DRAGON features a new face to movies who went on to fame as well, another actual martial arts champion by the name of Chuck Norris. The film features the pair facing off in an ancient gladiator arena in Rome. But the best film of them all is ENTER THE DRAGON. They lee died just as the film was released makes it all the more sad when you watch the film and know that had he lived his star would have risen even further.
I’ve seen ENTER THE DRAGON at least 20 times. Every viewing
for me is another trip into the world of one of the best action films ever
made. Lee is a Chinese monk brought in by a top secret intelligence group to
help take down an evil drug lord and human trafficker named Han. The fact that
his right hand man Oharra was responsible for the death of Lee’s sister is just
an added incentive. Han plans a battle of champions on his remote island, the
survivors of which he offers to join his army. With newfound friends Roper
(John Saxon) and Williams (Jim Kelly) as well as previous losers the film ends
with a battle of martial arts armies and Lee facing off one on one with Han.
No martial arts movie before or since captures the fight sequences that were staged for this film better. Choreographed by Lee they are amazing to watch. The combination of speed and with a physique honed by years of body building make Lee the most formidable hand to hand combatant ever seen. His swagger, his natural knack for capturing the lens are on display in every scene he is in.
The Criterion collection doesn’t just offer these movie it has tons of extras on hand as well. Introductions to each film, featurettes on the making of, interviews past and present with those who knew Lee and worked with him, documentaries about Lee, audio commentary tracks, a documentary on “Bruceploitation” films that came out following his death, a booklet about Lee and more make the extras almost as long if not longer than the actual films themselves.
Some will find the price tag on this collection a little steep but for fans of martial arts films, action films and of Bruce Lee it is little to pay when you think about everything that is included here as well as the fact that these films have never looked this clean and sharp before. I was stunned at how improved THE BIG BOSS looked here. If you are a fan this is an absolute must have collection. If you’ve never been exposed to Lee this will win you over. For my money there is no better collection than this one and it should be on the shelf of every movie fan.
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