If ever there was one movie that inspired more of what games and movies entertain me than Enter The Dragon, I've yet to find it. Released in 1973, and the last movie Bruce Lee completed, Enter The Dragon was spawned so many rip-offs, both in videogame and movie format, and inspired so many others, that it would be almost impossible to compile a list of everything that owes a little to Enter The Dragon. It's where most people's stereotypical views of the genre of Martial Arts movies comes from, it's basically the pinnacle of the genre in terms of acceptance and popularity.

The plot of the movie is pretty basic, and now it seems rather cliched, however, as far as I can tell, this is the beggining of the 'tournament' sub-genre of Martial Arts movies, and it follows 3 men who arrive on Han Island to take part in a mysterious martial arts tournament held every 3 years on this Island off the coast of Hong Kong, owned by renegade Shaolin Monk Han(Kien Shih - Tiger's Claw), who has the Island as his Martial Arts academy to the outside world, yet it's all really a front for his drug-running operations.

Sent in by an official body from Hong Kong, martial artist Lee(Bruce Lee - Game of Death) is not only on a mission to expose Han's nefarious schemes, but also to regain the honour of his school, which was the one Han attended before his fall from grace, and also to seek revenge for his sister's death, as she was killed after Han's goons attempted to capture her to force into prostitution.

Also entering the tournament are two American former 'Nam buddies, Roper(John Saxon - Nightmare on Elm Street) and Williams(Jim Kelly - Black Samurai), one is a gambling addict, and the other's motives are never truly made clear, but all of them are quick to realise that Han is not the hospitable host he makes himself out to be, and they soon find themselves fighting on the same side as Lee, who makes it his goal to not only destroy Han's operations, but to destroy the man himself...

Yeah, so we ain't dealing with a plot thats dying to be novelised, but the fact of the matter is, the story does it's job, and is entertaining to watch, and never dull. The fact that the entire plot device of a Martial Arts Tournament hadn't been done to death at this point could actually be part of the reason it's so enjoyable, with the actors actually working with something that was at the time fresh, and it comes through in their performances, unlike those working on the latest Olivier Gruner movie, who are completely aware they are making the poor man's Bloodsport and just want it over and done with as soon as possible.

The plot doesn't opt for any great twists or mysteries, it's basically just the reasoning for having all the fights going on, but it doesn't stay totally deadpan, and does introduce the odd comic element, such as Williams' sexual appetite, however it has to be said a degree of it's comedy appeal comes more from how 1970s it is, especially Williams' room on Han Island and his large afro, but even these aren't totally obnoxious, and merely serve to give the viewer a smirk and an indication of when it was made.

The plot does have some holes, but to be honest, it's nothing that can't be overlooked, and my only complaint was the death of a certain high-profile character far too early into the picture.

Now, as I say, the story is basically what links the action sequences together, and oh what action sequences they are. Whenever I've went into movies by big name martial arts stars, there is always a degree of disappointment in their fights, they are never really all they are cracked up to be. With Bruce Lee, in any case, but especially here, this is not true, the man simply sizzles in the combat scenes, throwing out lightning fast punches,kicks and nunchuka blows to all and sundry who dare challenge him. Jim Kelly is no slouch when it comes to his karate either, and come to think of it, there are some real classy fighters assembled in the cast, including Bolo Yeung(credited as Yang Sze) of Bloodsport fame, Bob Wall,Sammo Hung,Yuen Biao, and even a cameo by a very young Jackie Chan. While these fighters may not all have huge parts, the fact that this movie could afford to have them and not exploit it, yet still come off absolutley electrifying in terms of action sequences should tell you something.

Acting in the movie isn't bad either. Lee is no Pacino, yet there can be no denying he does certainly bring a charisma to his role that no martial artist-turned-actor nowadays can hold a candle to. Kelly just rocks, and even Saxon, whose character can at times be a little annoying, comes accross well, and while these performances are hardly ones you will rave about, there certainly wasn't anyone in the movie whose acting I outright hated.

Music in the movie is mostly based around Lailo Schiffrin's famous score, which is very 1970s cheese, but at the same time so very,very cool and fitting. Sounding quite Oriental, quite 70s funk, and all cool, this score is one of the most iconic and brilliant in cinema history, and along with the likes of Jaws and Star Wars themes and genres, it's the music that springs most to mind when I think of this type of movie.

The only special effects are the fights, and they are spectacular. Apart from that? only really the odd bit of gore, which isn't OTT, and is handled well, apart from the famous goof in regards to how many scars are accross Lee's chest in the final battle, but if you are paying attention to things like that while one of the most iconic duels in cinema history is unfolding, ignoring the sublime fighting going on, then you really are pretty pedantic.

In general, words can't really do justice for Enter The Dragon. It's one of those movies that is almost beyond criticism, and as a fan of martial arts movies, it's almost my duty to issue it full marks. This is a spectacle of cinema that anyone with any interest in the Action genre, especially the Martial Arts sub-genre of it, really should have not only seen by now, but already own. It's one of the few true masterpieces of the genre, and a movie that is just so entertaining that it never, ever gets old, no matter how often you watch it. It's a true shame that Lee never got to truly see how his classic would unfold, and influence cinema decades later, but as things go, his only viewing of it was on his own, given that it never got public release until 3 weeks after his death. Still, if this was the last movie the man saw before he died in those much debated circumstances, at least it was a beauty of a movie.

Related Reviews
Bruce Lee: Quest of the Dragon for XBox

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening