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Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

List Price: $14.98
Your Price: $11.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Well Meaning, But Too Over the Top
Review: This well-meaning but flawed film purports to be about the life and times of Bruce Lee, the intense, talented actor and martial artist who died tragically all too young. There is dispute over the biographical truth of the film, which is really neither here nor there, as the film seems far less interested in delving into Lee's biography than it does walking a strange line between drama and melodrama. Though he doesn't much resemble the real-life Bruce Lee, star Jason Scott Lee tries hard to capture the actor's raw power and charisma, with mixed results. He's best in the film's quieter moments, when the sincerity of his face gives the film much-needed grounding, and worst when his frenetic facial expressions and frequent shouting border on camp. But this probably isn't Lee's fault, as the film itself drifts in and out of wanting to be taken seriously and wanting to be a pseudo-chopsocky matinee, all to an often-syrupy music score. Co-star Lauren Holly is believable as Lee's caucasian wife, who struggles with him against racism that comes from so many in society--even her own mother. It is here that the film works best, illustrating the humiliation and degradation of anti-Asian racism that Lee, who simply wants to be recognized as the American he is, endures from fellow Americans, even after achieving his fame. A particularly clever--and dead-on accurate--scene reveals the isolation and thoughtless prejudice that Asian Americans frequently face: amidst a crowd of whites roaring with laughter, Lee quietly suffers Mickey Rooney's grotesque yellowface characterization in the critically-acclaimed "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Had the film focused more on meaningful emotional pyrotechnics like these, rather than the frequent, goofy interplay between Lee and a symbolic Mongol warrior, it might have captured the essence of the man instead of his onscreen persona. Like "Boogie Nights," it would have risen above the obvious exploitive qualities of its subject matter.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: BRUCE LEE LIVES!!!!
Review: EXCELLENT bio about the martial arts legend. Based on Linda Lee's book "BRUCE LEE: THE MAN ONLY I KNEW". Movie does GREAT JOB depicting Lee's life from humble begining to superstardom to death. One interesting highlight of this STUPENDID film is the cameo appearance of Van Williams, who co-starred with the REAL Bruce Lee in the 1960's TV series "THE GREEN HORNET". Williams is the director of the tv episode in the segment of the film where Lee gets the role of "KATO" for "THE GREEN HORNET". Robert Wagner in fine performance as Lee's friend. 5 STARS once again.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: If I could, I would rate it no stars..!
Review: Well first I should say that the movie itself was entertaining, but TOTALLY UNTRUE! If you read the book that movie was based on then you will see for yourself. "The Bruce Lee Story" By Linda Lee. Read the book and tell me if this movie is even close to the truth. I cant understand how Bruce's family could let the movie be made in that way, but oh well. For entertainment its ok, for the truth, its BS. Bruce was and still is the most influencial martial artist to date. My suggestion is, if you want the truth read the book.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A VERY GOOD MOVIE
Review: I hate to admit that I have never seen a Bruce Lee movie. Nor have I ever studied any form of martial art, read any books on Bruce Lee...etc. However, I enjoyed this movie on his life.

I read some posts saying how the movie differs from this or that, but regardless, this is a great film. If half the things in this movie were true, then Bruce Lee, the man, not the movie star, was a wonderful human being. The movie goes beyond showing him as a martial artist/movie star...etc. It shows him as a wonderful husband and father. It shows him as a person who was discriminated against, but rose above it. Sometimes, we have to look beyond the candy coating of movie stardom and see what is underneath.

I think Jason Scott Lee put through a terrific performance.

Of course, yes, it's a movie, and I am sure there are many moments in this film that were exaggerated or just plain did not happen. But, for those of you who enjoy action, comedy, and a good story and are looking for insight of this man, definitely watch this movie. The extra features spotlight on Bruce Lee himself, and are great to watch.

I give it 4 stars only because I found some parts of the movie contrived, such as the demon scenes, as even though Bruce reportedly struggled with his personal demons, these scenes were distracting and took away from the story.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Legendary Bruce Lee
Review: This is a great film of the legend of Bruce Lee. It's not an acurate portrayal of his life, but it's still a great movie. The fights scenes in the movie were awesome. Jason Scott Lee does a great job imitating Bruce's style and mannerisms. It also accurately showed us the racism involved at the time directed at the Chinese. Although Bruce Lee was a great man with great ambitions and accomplishments, he wasn't as friendly as the film depicts him to be. At times Bruce Lee was a bit arrogant and very strong minded and the movie fails to show us that, except when he seemingly temporarily loses his mind argueing with Linda Lee played by Lauren Holly. Anyway, I love this movie and I love the legend of Bruce Lee, so I reccommend this to any one interested in action movies, Bruce Lee, and inspirational movies. If you love this film I also recommend movies like "Fist of Fury", "The Chinese Connection", "Return of The Dragon", "Enter The Dragon", and "Rapid Fire". If you want to know more about the real Bruce Lee, I reccomend "The Curse Of the Dragon", it has pictures, interviews with people who knew Bruce Lee, a special but short interview with Brandon Lee, and film excerpts.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This is a STORY, not a BIOGRAPHY!
Review: To those who slammed this movie: you missed the point.

This is a wonderful story. It was endorsed by his family! It is a Bruce Lee movie about Bruce Lee. As such, the overly dramatic fight scenes pay a tribute to his film legacy. This movie simply attempts to introduce the public to the legend using his own style of film; it doesn't try to squash his entire lifetime into a 2 hour movie. That would be like trying to contain a nuclear blast within a shoebox.

What the nay-sayers neglected to mention is the commentary audio track with the director. If you watch it, you will see that they tell the REAL story about his back injury, among other things. There are also stories about the making of the movie that attest to the power of Bruce Lee's impact on the world. The commentary track alone is worth the price of the DVD. (Did I mention the many other DVD extras?)

I've read Bruce's books. I've visited his grave in Seattle. I know his real story. And I applaud the movie for paying tribute to his life and his style of film.

So get over yourselves. This is a great movie by any standard. "It is like a finger pointing away to the moon. Don't concentrate on the finger or you will miss all that heavenly glory." -Bruce Lee

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Way Off Base
Review: The Director botched a wonderful story. This version of Bruce Lee's Life is so far from the truth that it's a crime! How Linda Lee got cond into letting this fly is beyond me (I hope she got paid "real well"). The Book that this movie is based on would have made a great movie ... too bad the director never read it!!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Way Off Base
Review: The Director botched a wonderful story. This version of Bruce Lee's Life is so far from the truth that it's a crime! How Linda Lee got cond into letting this fly is beyond me (I hope she got paid "real well"). The Book that this movie is based on would have made a great movie ... too bad the director never read it!!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not Bad.
Review: 'Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story' is a decent movie about the life and struggle of the legend film star Bruce Lee. It tells the tale of him migrating to America and realizing the prejudice and racism there. I don't know how truthful it is, but it is nice movie nonetheless.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Dragon Rocks...!
Review: If I had to sit through two hours of film, I had better be entertained. THis movie delivers! Jason Scott Lee was a very good choice for playing Bruce and Lauren Holly for Linda. Sure, the movie took great liberties wiht facts, as some purists are loathe to say. But who cares? If I wanted to know the real story about Bruce Lee, I would have watched History Channel or something. Ok, so Lee broke his back lifting weights instead of that kick on back in the movie. Big deal. The movie version was helluva lot entertaining. The real one would have been boring. What's important for me was the travails that Lee had to face and overcome, like racism against the Chinese in the 70's America. What's good for me was the touching love affair between Lee and his wife, Linda. What's important to me was that if Lee had in fact been kicked in the back, I am sure he'd have recovered and kicked back the other guy's butt all the way to Hong Kong! That's what the movie showed- his superior strength and self-confidence. What's important to me was that Lee was shown as having weaknesses of his own, like a flaring temper and deep mental troubles.

Now if you really wanted to know the truth about Bruce Lee, then this movie provide just the right amount of controversy. For entertainment and an insight on the man, Dragon, the Bruce Lee Story rocks...! And I'm not even a martial arts buff.


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