Enter the Dragon

Enter the Dragon 1973
Director: Robert Clouse
Writer: Michael Allin
Starring Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Jim Kelly, Kien Shih, Anna Capri, Angela Mao, Bob Wall, Bolo Yeung, Betty Chung and Geoffrey Weeks

There are few films that hit the mark as much as this film and that is probably why by far that it is my all time favorite film. Even the dated feeling of the film works in it's favor. This is a film that fires on all cylinders. It has a dynamic and charismatic hero, a cold blooded and memorable villain, exciting action sequences and sprinkles of humor throughout. This film still has some of the best martial arts sequences put on film. The immortal final battle between Lee and Han is legendary. When Lee does that lightning fast kick that the film needed to be slowed down for, you knew you were being treated to the work of a master. This film is close to 30 years old and is still as fresh and exciting as ever. For many this is the cardinal rule of Martial arts films and what they must follow. It is probably why the plot has been copied so many times for other films such as Bloodsport. This is a film I watch probably at least once a month and it never gets old. Right after viewing it I want to watch it again. That is the test of a great movie, how many times you can revisit it without ever getting sick of it.
The plot basics are this, Lee (Lee) is a martial arts expert who is recruited by a clandestine organization to infiltrate a island run by Han (Kien(, who has a ilsand fortress and every 3 years has a martial arts tournament. The organization believes that there are all kinds of nefarious things going on at this island. Lee has a ulterior motive to go as well, his sister (Mao) died due to some of the people from Han's island. Lee also meets a few other people there, Roper (Saxon) a gambler who always bets on himself and Williams (Kelly), a tough urbanite who has his own way of doing things. Lee investigates and discovers a huge opium ring and a drug testing facility underneath the island. IT all leads to a epic battle between Lee and Han in a hall of mirrors, and Lee will only win if he can defeat the illusions that Han is a master of.
This is a breathtaking film. Clouse's direction is tight and fast. The film is very quickly paced and it does not waste any time getting to the heart of the story. The action sequences are filmed effortlessly and it is very easy to follow everything, something that is lost on many action filmmakers of today. The script is very tight too. It gives just enough characterization to the 3 main characters to make you feel for them. If any character comes close to out shining Lee it would have to be Roper. He has a sarcastic wit about him that really works well within the story. The character of Han is a great villain as well, he is very cold blooded and merciless. Almost like a villain in a comic book and that works really well within the parameters of the film. The cast is great. Lee is dynamic and charismatic and this is definitely the role he will always be remembered for. His style is exquisite and his method of fighting is truly mesmerizing. Saxon as Roper is a delight too, he has all the best lines and is very self deprecating. Kelly in one of his first films is admirable too, and I wanted to see more of him, but that would have to wait for Black Belt Jones. Kien as Han is oily evil, and he makes one of the most memorable film villains ever. His beat down on Williams is so merciless and unemotional it is hypnotic to watch. The action sequences in the film are outstanding. A prime example of this is the final battle with the guards in the underground facility. Lee kicks major ass here and you cannot take your eyes off of it. The score by Lalo Schifrin is a rousing and bombastic score that really gets your blood pumping and gets you pumped for the action to come. It is also a score you hum to yourself long after you watch the film. This is the Citizen Kane of action and martial art films and any discerning action fan needs to see this film.
This one gets 5 out of 5