Enter the Dragon 40th Anniversary Blu-ray Review
By Ben Johnson
American audiences have grown accustomed to seeing martial arts in our action movies. Films like The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon took things a step further and stylized these on-screen fights, bringing the “art” of martial arts to the forefront.
But it wasn’t always that way. Before 1973, many Western moviegoers didn’t have much of an idea what the martial arts even were. But that changed thanks to Bruce Lee. Lee used his superstar status in China and familiarity to American audiences (thanks to his role on the Green Hornet TV series) to bring a major US movie studio to Hong Kong and introduce the martial arts genre to the western hemisphere.
To commemorate its place as the frontrunner of Western martial arts films, Warner Brothers is releasing a 40th Anniversary Blu-ray of Bruce Lee’s final film, Enter the Dragon, an edition that is a worthy tribute to the action legend.
Enter the Dragon centers around Lee (Bruce Lee), who is enlisted by the government to infiltrate the island fortress of former Shaolin monk Han (Kien Shih) by entering a martial arts tournament held there every three years. This tournament is the only time outsiders are allowed onto the island, and Lee is needed to gather evidence proving Han is trafficking drugs and women from his heavily guarded base. Lee and fellow tournament participants Roper (John Saxon) and Williams (Jim Kelly) must call on their considerable martial arts skills to fight their way past Han and his ruthless army if they want to escape the island alive.
I wasn’t very familiar with Bruce Lee or his movies before watching Enter the Dragon for this review, but it’s easy to see why he’s so revered among martial arts and action lovers — for more information you can check out the official Facebook page.
Lee is a physical specimen who exudes power and confidence on screen, radiating the kind of charisma and intensity that makes it hard to take your eyes off him. Van Damme, Norris, and Segal can only dream of having the screen presence that Bruce Lee did. The movie is clearly meant as a vehicle to propel him to stardom on this side of the world, and had he lived longer (he died before the movie’s release at the young age of 32) there’s no doubt he would have been wildly successful.
Not only is he a compelling leading man – the fight choreography (all done by Lee himself) is equally impressive. In an age of CGI and over-the-top wirework, it’s easy to forget how brutally effective a simple fight scene can be when done right. Bone-crushing blows look that much more devastating without all the distractions of special effects and flashy choreography. Add in a Bond-style villain in the one-handed Han and some very memorable set pieces – particularly the climactic fight in a hall of mirrors – and you really do have the gold standard of martial arts movies.
This special edition has plenty for Bruce Lee fans to enjoy aside from the film itself. Bonus features include several behind-the-scenes featurettes that provide a deeper look at both the making of Enter the Dragon and the man at the center of it all. “No Way as Way” is a compilation of interviews with celebrities inspired in some way by Lee’s accomplishments and teachings, including boxer Sugar Ray Leonard and actor George Takei.
There is also a look at how the Hong Kong locations used in filming have changed over time; a gallery of interviews with Lee’s widow Linda Lee Cadwell; a piece on the history of Wing Chun, the martial art that heavily influenced Lee during his life; and an “in his own words” featuring interviews with Lee where he discusses his philosophy on life.
However, the standout of all the extras on this Blu-ray is “The Curse of the Dragon,” a 90-minute documentary that covers Lee’s entire life from child actor in Chinese cinema to his untimely death in 1973. It paints a detailed and in-depth picture of Lee by talking to the people closest to him, including the producers on Enter the Dragon and close friends James Coburn and Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Lee lived a fascinating, albeit brief life, and this documentary provides a comprehensive look into the man behind the icon. Filling out the gift set are collectors items that include an Enter the Dragon patch and concept art from the film’s production .
The 40th anniversary Blu-ray of Enter the Dragon comes out today, June 11 (just in time for Father’s Day!). Whether you’re an aficionado of the martial arts genre or you’re looking for the best movie to set your foot in the door, this edition is a must-own. You can get your copy at the Warner Bros. Shop here. For some videos on Enter the Dragon to get you excited for the release you can visit the YouTube channel.