Review of Birth of the Dragon (2017) by Carrie M — 02 Sep 2017

Big Bruce Lee fan and a practioner of Wing Chun. I sae a lot of complaints about the white guy, Steve and honestly went in worried about the white washing as well. (I am half chinese half caucasian so I have a foot in both camps here). However, Steve's role as a white man is important to the lesson of kung fu being shared to westerners and is important to the love story. Speaking of which, the love story really isn't a sappy and rude interruption of an action movie. In fact, it provides a plot driver for some sweet ass fight scenes. The fight choreography is beautiful and I am so happy they take the time to do wide shots where you can really see the fighting like Bruce Lee's movies. Not that frustrating jump cut garbage these days that brings me to the brink of seizure.

The actor that plays Bruce Lee does as well a job of imitation that can be done of the legend. The movie unites fans of Bruce Lee and Wong Jack Man by showing each great respect. Despite thr appearance that you will naonly follow Steve's story, there really is a lot of Bruce Lee and by the end I felt Steve was much more of a supporting character. The comedic timing is nice. Unfortunately, wire-fu rears its head once or twice but if you are in it for the same reason you watch Jackie Chan (the fighting!) then you won't be disappointed.

Thank-you to the people of this film! Unfortunately, I was born too late to see Bruce Lee in his glory. Thanks for giving me a small taste of his brilliance!