Written by: Michael Allin
Directed by: Robert Clouse
Starring: Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Jim Kelly
Rated: R
My rating is simple, Watch It, It Depends, Skip it. Read my previous movie reviews!
Plot
A martial artist agrees to spy on a reclusive crime lord using his invitation to a tournament there as cover.
Verdict
This movie isn't good because of the script or story, this movie is best when fighting occurs. Bruce Lee makes this movie. This was his first and last English speaking role before his untimely death. This was going to be his introduction to the Western world, that unfortunately was derailed.
It's amazing to watch his skill and fluidity throughout. He's one of the best, and the final fight is a must see.
Watch it.
Review
I'm sure if I grew up with this movie, my nostalgia would overcome its faults, much like my sustained fondness for Van Damme movies of the '90s despite their lack of quality.
Van Damme and the action-fighting movies of the time period owe a debt to this movie. This is the grand father of martial arts movies, bringing the genre to the U.S. While this isn't a great movie, it's a crucial piece of history.
The story is the basis for many fighting movies. There's a tournament with fighters from around the world. Of course Bruce Lee is in the tournament, but he's there to expose the shady crime boss hosting the fights.
If the sound seems off in this movie, it's because all of the dialog and effects were dubbed in during post production. This is just one of the reasons the movie is rough around the edges, but it was also the best martial arts movies out of Hollywood due to lack of competition.
This movie poses the question of 'what could be?' What if Bruce Lee hadn't suddenly passed away at a such a young age?
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