Review of Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993) by Joe B — 11 Aug 2008

As preperation for seeing the third 'Mummy' film, I was lucky enough to find an old copy of 'Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story' on VHS in the motel I'm staying in! Rob Cohen is a director who I have absolutely zero respect for, generally due to the fact that his sole directorial achievement was Stallones 'Daylight', and aside from that moderate success, is responsible for both Vin Dielsel's xXx and 'Fast & the Furious', along with 'Drgaonheart'. And aside from giving Randy Edelman opportunities to write most of his best work, that's the sum of the guys sole cinematic career.

So, why does 'Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story' seem so good, in a goofy, heartfelt, stylised, yet utterly preposterous way?

Is it the performance of Jason Scott Lee, who is genuinely trying to emulate the un-emulateable (if that's a word)?

Is it the fact that the guy is portrayed as a hero that nobody could possibly find fault with? Or is it the fact that finally we have an explanation given for the death of both Bruce Lee and his son Brandon, in the mystical superstition of a demon, hunting him throughout his life?

I'm not sure... but it's certainly my favourite Rob Cohen film. And like I said before, one of Randy Edelman's finest hours.