Connor Bynum // Film Critic
There are only a handful of genuine legends regarding icons of the martial arts film genre. Whether it’s Jackie Chan, Jet Li, or more recent stars like Iko Uwais, Bruce Lee will always be among those names.
After his sudden and tragic passing in 1973, Lee was only 32 years old, and ENTER THE DRAGON had yet to be released in theaters. Now for its 50th anniversary, the film is being released on 4K UHD Blu-ray for the first time.
Movie Grade: B-
Set in the grooviest decade of all time, ENTER THE DRAGON follows a Chinese Kung Fu master named Lee (Bruce Lee). A government agency approaches Lee to attend a highly exclusive fighting tournament held by a criminal billionaire known only as Han (Kien Shih). Lee is tasked with surviving the tournament, going undercover, and gathering evidence to incriminate Han for the supervillain-level atrocities he commits on his private island.
The film’s story essentially boils down to a James Bond movie with Kung Fu. As previously mentioned, this film bursts at the seams with 1970s-style funk. Whether it’s the techno-pop musical score by MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE theme composer Lalo Schifrin, or the blacksploitation period afro haircut sported by Williams (Jim Kelly), the only prominent black character in the movie, this is undoubtedly a product of a very different time.
But how many people watch martial arts films for the story? The real question is: Do the fight sequences hold up? Have they aged like fine wine or like milk? The answer lies somewhere in the middle. Lee’s choreography is mostly still a pleasure to behold. With long unbroken takes captured in a wide angle, the fight scenes in this movie undeniably have a classic Hollywood magic reminiscent of Eryl Flynn’s sword fights. However, there are occasionally unintentionally hilarious moments, such as when Lee performs a roundhouse kick to the face of what appears to be a rag-doll dummy standing in for Han, judging by how his body flies off camera faster than a speeding train. I watched that moment half a dozen times and could not stop laughing.
Martial arts films have certainly come a long way since 1973. That’s not to say ENTER THE DRAGON is not an enjoyable film, just that audiences who have seen more recent films in the martial arts genre like THE RAID REDEMPTION (2011) or any of the John Wick films might walk away from this one somewhat underwhelmed. The film is certainly a classic in its own right, and I can easily see why it has garnered such a historical legacy. But those who have never seen it for themselves should be encouraged to watch it with the mindset that this film is now fifty years old.Â
Video/Audio Grade: A-
ENTER THE DRAGON arrives on 4K UHD in a native 4K resolution. As is usually the case with older films that have made their way to the format, viewers should not be surprised by the amount of film grain maintained in its presentation. But honestly, for a film that might as well be a 1970s time capsule, I can’t imagine watching it without the grain intact and not feeling like something was missing.
Even with the grain, there is still plenty of detail to appreciate on screen. Hair and costumes look great, and the grunge aesthetic in the set design is perfectly realized. However, the unfortunate side of 4K resolution also means that weaker elements, like the iconic bloody slash marks across Lee’s chest, end up looking like they were made by a tube of lipstick.
This disc also comes with HDR10, which is easily its biggest strength. The numerous scenes taking place at night are simply perfect. The pitch-black night sky comes through without the slightest hint of crushing, and the brightly lit daytime fights never feel too overpowering.
Additionally, this release includes a brand new Dolby Atmos audio mix and a theatrical mono audio track for purists seeking a more authentic 1970s-watching experience. The Atmos track is perfectly fine, but it’s certainly nothing to write home about.
Ultimately, this is certainly the best this film has ever looked, and the efforts to preserve its originally intended visual style are greatly appreciated.
Extras Grade: D
For a film with such an impactful legacy, one would anticipate a heavy dose of features packed into this release to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Sadly, that is not the case. Just two features are included, and both are legacy features from previous releases. A digital code is also included. Unfortunately, there’s no standard Blu-ray film copy. Why?
Special features are broken down below:
- Introduction by Linda Lee Cadwell (2:11)
- Audio Commentary
Final Grade: B-
With the essentially non-existent special features aside, ENTER THE DRAGON in 4K UHD is a delightfully campy martial arts classic that’s best viewed in a vacuum. Sure, some parts haven’t aged incredibly well, but the meticulous attention to detail in this 4K restoration is nothing if not respectable. Martial arts fans should consider adding this one to their shelf.
