The Way of the Dragon (1972)

Over the years, I’ve always enjoyed smart and sophisticated movies with well-told story lines, great performances, and three-dimensional characters. But there are also times when I can just ignore all that and watch a Bruce Lee movie like The Way of the Dragon.  I’ve seen Enter the Dragon and Fist of Fury and if you’re familiar with Lee’s work like I am, then you’ll know what to expect. From the dubbing, fighting with his shirt off, and his iconic battle cries, this is a movie that pretty much screams Bruce Lee. I know Enter the Dragon was his one kung-fu movie where he used his actual speaking voice but it still had some of the same things you’d be able to recognize. Of course, as a movie from the 70’s, there are some things that haven’t aged well at all but I can’t judge something that came out so long ago, especially since I had a fun time watching it. Aside from his lightning-fast fight sequences that move quicker than my irritating banter, another thing I’ve always liked about Bruce Lee is his charisma whenever he was in a scene. Every time you see him on screen, he’s just bursting with energy and that was definitely the case here. This film was certainly a fun one to say the least, so let’s discuss that further.

     Not only does Bruce Lee star in this film, but he also wrote, directed, co-produced, and did the dubbing for almost all of the English speaking characters as well. I should also probably mention that he was the martial arts director for this film too but that shouldn’t really come as a surprise to anyone. Lee plays Tang Lung, a martial artist from Hong Kong who travels to Rome to help relatives protect their restaurant from a powerful crime syndicate. I will say, what makes this film stand out from Lee’s others is that not only are there intense action sequences but there is also lighthearted humor as well, which actually helps balance out the story. The film includes Chuck Norris in his first big film role as Colt, an American fighter who eventually comes in to fight Tang Lung. I know that sounds like a spoiler but if you look up this movie, you’ll find that in most places online. I’m sure there’s a lesson in this movie somewhere and I’m totally all for that. I always like a story that teaches lessons and leaves a lasting impact on the audience. But, at other times, it’s fun to just watch a shirtless Bruce Lee kick major ass and not think about anything else. That’s about the only thing my slow-witted brain could process throughout this experience. This film served as a clear reminder of why I love action movies and it was nice to add this one to the list of many others that I’ve seen.

     Like I said before, I knew what to expect when I decided to watch this movie. I’m someone who enjoys all types of different genres and I’ll never change when it comes to that. But sometimes, it’s nice to chill after a stressful day with a bowl of popcorn, not worry about freaking out over useless things (I do that enough on a daily basis), and engage in the pure awesomeness of a fun action flick. Hell, some of my favorite movie nights are when I get to do that and that’s all I could ever ask for. I went in to this movie expecting to be entertained and that’s exactly what I got. For that, I would have to give this movie an 8 out of 10. If you’re a fan of Bruce Lee, martial arts films, or if you’re just looking for a fun way to escape the pressures of everyday life, then definitely check this one out when you get the chance. Definitely worth your time.