Enter the Dragon Review- By Michael J. Carlisle

Title: Enter the Dragon
Year: 1973 
Director: Robert Clouse
Country: Hong Kong
Language: English (dubbed)

Bruce Lee (Nov 27, 1940 - July 20, 1973) was a Hong Kong film actor, martial artist and filmmaker. The son of Cantonese opera star Lee Hoi-Chuen, he is widely considered by film historians as one of the most influential martial artists of all time. After Fist of Fury (1972) Lee became an iconic figure around the world, particularly to the Chinese as he reflected their political ideals. Unfortunately Lee would die due to "death by misadventure" (allergic reaction due to tranquilizer) shortly after a dubbing session of Enter the Dragon.

In the film, a martial artist agrees (Bruce Lee) to spy on a reclusive crime lord using his invitation to a tournament there as cover. 

 Had it not been for Bruce Lee and his movies in the early 1970s, it's arguable whether or not the martial arts film genre would have ever penetrated and influenced mainstream North American and European cinema. Artists like Jackie Chan would not have had any chance to break through into Hollywood during the 90's. Interestingly enough he actually injured Chan on the set of Enter the Dragon and, as an apology, offered the man roles in all of his upcoming films. Unfortunately he would never be able to deliver on this promise. 

Considered the first Chinese film to be backed by a major Hollywood studio, Bruce Lee wanted to use the film as a vehicle for expressing what he saw as the beauty of his Chinese culture, rather than it being just another action film. Lee is not merely content to let us watch him bash people, some of his philosophy penetrates the movie. He talks about spirituality with a young charge and even gives us an amusing and illustrative lesson in his 'art of fighting without fighting'. He is also against the power hungry and seeks to dispatch those who are only in martial arts to harm others.

Lee sought to show that martial arts was more than just high kicks and karate chops, instilling a world-view into his practice. Without a doubt Lee, with his near perfect physique, had an innate charisma and an ability to make his pictures seem timeless. It's a shame he died so early, as he did a great deal to dissemble Asian stereotypes in film.