Review of Enter the Dragon (1973) by Michael Y — 04 Sep 2011

Bruce Lee's career reaches its highest point in Enter the Dragon. One of the best kung fu movies made, this cheesy but desturbing exploitation movie is as well made as it is fun to watch.

Bruse Lee stars as master martial artist.... Lee. He is called by the British Intelligence to investigate and find evidence of heroine running on an island belonging to an evil man named Han. Han's island on the surface is a martial arts school, and he is hosting a fighting tournament. Lee and other fighters enter the island and are treated with great hospitality. But there is a secret being hidding on the island and the purpose for the tournament. It's not the best movie in the world, but it surely is one of the best classic kung fu movies. Bruce Lee is a damn good hero in any movie he's in, and it's a suprise to see John Saxon in this movie as well. It begins off like your cheesy kung fu movie, but the action builds and builds wonderfully till we discover the horrible mystery and are drawn into an exciting climax. Enter the Dragon plays a lot like a James Bond movie really, with evil henchman and secret underground lairs. Enter the Dragon is a fun action movie with creativity, laughs, and a good story.

It's all about the fight scenes in this movie. And we get plenty. Choreographed by Bruce Lee himself, each scene is executed nearly flawlessly, and the directing by Robert Clouse is smooth and steady so we don't loose sight of every puch and kick. The actors really do some great stunt work and fight really well. And I especially like it when the movie suddenly goes in slow motion to we see the bone shattering details of some hits. Sets and srt direction is pretty good. Simple, but good. The outside and inside of the mansion has plenty of detail. Then there's Hans secret lair which looks pretty cheesy. But the mirror room is the best. The directing in the mirror room is just awesome.

Enter the Dragon is an unaging classic, which is rare for a kung fu movie. But the fact of the mater is not only is this movie action packed, but it is mature and creepy at times. It might be funky at first sight, but Enter the Dragon is a satisfying action classic and a must see.