Return of the Dragon
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Movie Reviews of Return of the Dragon
Movie Review: El retorno del dragon
Summary: 4 Stars
Definitivamente, vale la pena la lucha entre Bruce Lee y Chuck Norris en el coliseo romano. Me parecio espectacular, esta pieza debe ser de coleccion de todo fan de cine.Movie Review: "Yeah! Chinese Boxing!!"
Summary: 3 Stars
The master of Kung-fu and originator of Jeet Kune Do (Way of the Fist) tries his hand at making his own martial arts masterpiece. Bruce Lee wrote and directed this film, as well as stars as Tang Lung, a student of 'Chinese Boxing' in Hong Kong. Tang travels to Rome, Italy to help out a friend's family who has opened a restaurant there. The family has been harassed by the local crime boss and his underlings, who threaten to destroy the restaurant if they don't sell it to the mafia. Tang helps out by training the restaurateur's five sons in the ways of 'Chinese Boxing' to fend off the thugs, and when the crime boss actually shows up, throws himself into the fight. The boss later enlists the aid of a Japanese, a European, and an American karate master to deal with Tang and the boys, which leads to a final showdown between Tang and the American master (played by none other than a young Chuck Norris!).Needless to say, there's not a lot of plot here. This is mostly a Westernized version of any episode of "Kung-Fu Theater", with some attractive sights of surrounding Rome thrown in. Bruce didn't necessarily do a bad job with this film, but he wasn't exactly a master storyteller, either. The biggest draw for me, personally, was seeing Bruce Lee vs. Chuck Norris, and was what made me want to buy the DVD. Don't get me wrong; Bruce does kick some major ... in this one, and shows off quite a bit of his legendary martial arts and weapons skills, particularly with the nunchaku. There is a little bit of comedy in this one as well (the dubbing alone was comedy enough for me), and a little plot twist near the end, though that does little more than warrant a few head-scratchings. The final fight between Lee and Norris is...well, decent, taking place in the Roman Colisseum, but it could've been a bit better. Seeing the two warm up before the fight ups the anticipation meter a little and shows off some of Chuck's skill, too. As far as DVD extras, there aren't any, but since this is an older film (and not a well-known one), I'll let that slide.
Yeah, it's no "Crouching Tiger" by any stretch, but as a straight-up,...kung-fu flick, it does the job well enough. Hey, it's Bruce Lee, after all, and fans of his should get their money's worth. Just try not to take it too seriously...
Movie Review: Average, At Best
Summary: 3 Stars
This movie is interesting only because it stars Bruce Lee and features Chuck Norris. If you're looking for a serious kung fu flick like "Enter the Dragon" you will only be disappointed by this movie. Of course, if you just want to see Lee or your like Jackie Chan style movies that are action-comedies, then this film might be for you.
The plot here is a little hard to follow, probably because the movie has been cut and subtitled for this DVD. Basically, Lee ends up in Rome and he's helping a guy protect his restaurant from mobsters. The movie consists of several scenes where the mobsters attack, they do some damage, and then Lee shows up and puts everything back in order by destroying the bad guys, even when they come back with more men and guns.
Finally, the bad guys resort to bringing in a hired gun--an American champion played by Chuck Norris. Norris doesn't utter a word in this film, but he does look pretty cool until the unfortunate moment when he takes off his shirt and revolts everyone with his out of control back hair. The climactic fight takes place in the Colliseum. Of course, it's to the death. It's definitely a well-choreographed scene with a bit of artistic vision in the cinematography.
In the end, this movie won't have you nailed to your seat. You may even end up fast-forwarding just to get to the fight scenes, because the plot just is not worth the effort.
Movie Review: Pretty Good Bruce Lee Movie, Mediocre DVD
Summary: 3 Stars
"Return of the Dragon" (originally released as "Way of the Dragon") is no masterpiece, but it's a reasonably enjoyable kung-fu romp. The simple story involves Bruce Lee's character going to Rome to help out with his relatives' restaurant. When he gets there, he pretty much beats up the gang members who are terrorizing the restaurant one by one. The climactic fight scene has Lee duking it out with Chuck Norris, and is very memorable. The movie even has a few comedic moments early on, and this has the distinction of being the only movie that Bruce Lee ever wrote and directed (besides "Game of Death," which was completed after his death).The DVD has "Return of the Dragon" in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The opening scenes are a little scratchy and there is occasional distortion, but for the most part, it looks as good as you could wish. The only audio is the English dubbed track. The voices are very wooden, and it makes one wish that the original track had been included with subtitles. Unfortunately, besides some extremely brief liner notes, there are no extra features. A theatrical trailer is advertised on the box, but it is nowhere to be found.
Movie Review: Get the proper versions of this film
Summary: 3 Stars
I give it 3 stars only because it is the cut-down version of "The Way of the Dragon". The original gets 4.5 stars.
If you are going to buy the DVDs go for either the European release or the versions now available here in Australia. Firstly there is "Way Of The Dragon - Platinum Edition (2 Disc Set)" and "Bruce Lee - 30th Anniversary Collection" (6 Disc Box Set) is available soon containing "Fist of Fury", "The Big Boss", "The Way of the Dragon" and 2 disc version of "Game of Death" plus a bonus disc. These are full uncut widescreen versions of the film. Why they ever released the edited version is beyond me. All of the Lee movies are now available here in their original uncut widescreen glory with bonus disc.