Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Enter the Dragon Blu-ray Movie Review

Remastered video, lossless audio, new features, same great film. What's not to love?

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown June 11, 2013

Show of hands: who among you fancies himself a martial arts cinema fan? Good, good. Now keep your hand up if you've never had or taken the opportunity to watch Enter the Dragon. Look around. Everyone with their hand in the air is a walking contradiction; a poor, deluded soul weened on watered down beat-em-ups and Rush Hour all-nighters; a misguided action junkie who hasn't savored one of the most influential kung fu delicacies of all time. That's not to suggest anyone and everyone who partakes of Dragon's gritty goodness will suddenly declare it a timeless classic. Not everyone will gravitate to the late Bruce Lee's charisma and philosophy, or director Robert Clouse's unflappable direction. Not everyone will tolerate Lee's American co-stars, or enjoy the visceral simplicity of the film's story. But I have yet to come across someone who comes away from the film with a shrug of their shoulders; who isn't thoroughly impressed with Lee's lightning-quick strikes and bone-shattering attacks; or, for that matter, someone who who thinks Lee was anything other than a master of his art. Even some forty years after his tragic death, Lee remains a force to be reckoned with, as does Enter the Dragon.

Enter the Dragon tells the violent tale of Lee (Bruce Lee... hold any 007 jokes until the end please), a Shaolin warrior recruited by a not so by-the-book intelligence agency to infiltrate a martial arts tournament hosted by a reclusive billionaire named Han (Shih Kien). Lee learns Han is a former Shaolin student-turned-megalomaniac; a crime lord suspected of trafficking drugs and prostitutes from his remote compound, a heavily-guarded island that lies just beyond the boundaries of international jurisdiction. After agreeing to take on the mission, Lee finds himself on a ship, joined by a pair of American fighters bound for the same tournament: Roper (John Saxon), a gambling addict trying to pay off his Mafia debts, and Williams (Jim Kelly, sporting an awe-inspiring afro), an activist fleeing the Los Angeles police. When the trio arrive on Han's island, they establish their dominance with swift authority, handily besting any fighter Han throws at them. But as Lee darts from shadow to shadow, gathering evidence of Han's illegal activities, he has no choice but to fend off an endless flood of baddies, face the man responsible for his sister's death, and unleash his patented brand of tendon-tearing, spine-snapping showmanship on his toughest competitors.

Filmed in 1973, when a jump kick involved actual jumping and kicking (sorry wire-fu fans, no physics-defying nonsense here), an era in which stuntwork required true martial artists to risk their well-being to pull off split-second screen choreography, Enter the Dragon is packed with brutal combat and jaw-dropping acrobatics. Lee's fists are legitimate murder weapons, granting his every blow urgency and authenticity. Crack all the smiles you'd like at the cheesy '70s sound effects that accompany each move, but just try to concentrate on anything else other than the spectacular skills on display. But Dragon's greatness extends beyond its action. Lee's solemn performance grounds the entire production, injecting pathos and gravitas into scenes that might otherwise fall flat. The fire and pain in his eyes, the deadly intent balled up in his fists, even the occasional grimace or ounce of guilt transforms Lee into a man torn between vengeance and honor. The entire cast rises to meet him too, hitting harder and pushing longer if only to keep up with Lee's commanding presence. I know, I know... despite his character's supposed prowess, Saxon moves with all the grace and ease of a wounded animal, but even he nails the complexities of his shady antihero.

Sadly, Lee died six days before Enter the Dragon opened in theaters, robbed of the opportunity to enjoy the praise fans and critics the world over have enthusiastically showered on his work over the decades. It's hard to imagine a finer swan song than that, although I'd kill to see what Lee would have done next, or the year after that, or a decade later. Or today, older but as dangerous on screen. The film's thrilling martial arts sequences will make anyone who gives them a chance wince, cheer, and shake their heads in disbelief. More shocking, though, is the sting of grief that lodges itself deep in the heart over the loss of an unrivaled martial arts talent snuffed out in his prime. I love the film more every time I watch it; I'm already looking forward to the next, and eventually to the time my son is old enough for a proper introduction. If you haven't seen Enter the Dragon, there's no time like the present. Chances are you won't regret it.

Enter the Dragon Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Although the 2007 Blu-ray debut of Enter the Dragon earned high marks for its video presentation upon its initial release, time hasn't been so kind. It's clear now that the 2007 release is flawed and dated; a fact Warner's 2013 remastered 40th Anniversary Edition BD solidifies more and more with each passing scene. However, it's important to note before diving into the studio's new 1080p/AVC-encoded video transfer that Lee's final film appearance will never look the part of the fresh and fierce martial arts stunner. Gritty, grainy, soft and starkly lit, it shows its age as often and as clearly as Lee shows off his skill. Colors are often washed out by the sun, shadows are unforgiving, delineation is typically unrevealing, and the original photography is prone to a host of inherent problems.

That said, Enter the Dragon has quite simply never looked better; I seriously doubt it could look much better than it does here. It not only outclasses, out-paces and out-maneuvers its 2007 counterpart (which, by comparison, is backed by an aged master and a less-than-exacting encode), it features a far more natural, film-like image, largely free of the anomalies that afflict its 2007 predecessor. Anomalies are all but MIA -- there aren't any major bouts of artifacting, banding or aliasing to contend with -- and both color accuracy and contrast consistency are exceedingly faithful to the filmmakers' intentions. Detail is more satisfying too, edge definition is more precise, grain is much more refined, and artificial sharpening and noise reduction either haven't been implemented or have been employed so judiciously as to not hinder the presentation in any way. Again, some viewers will confuse the film's widespread softness and more troubled shots as signs of a botched transfer, but such subjective complaints should be dismissed. Objectively, this is now the definitive presentation of Enter the Dragon, and I can't imagine a respectful remastering ever being more rewarding than this. Of course, I said the same thing years ago about the 2007 release. Only time will truly tell if the 2013 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray remains the definitive be-all, end-all release of the film, or if future fans are in store for an unforeseen 45th or 50th Anniversary miracle.

Enter the Dragon Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Much the same could be said about Warner's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. To the casual listener, the mix might not be all that impressive. To the cinephile or audiophile, though, Enter the Dragon's long-awaited lossless experience doesn't disappoint in the least, delivering the film as it is rather than artificially make it something it's not. Dialogue, shouts, whispers, jabs, full-force attacks and, really, just about every smashed crate, cracked rib, splintering mirror, devastating kick or whirring nunchaku that graces the soundscape is hindered by the thin, punchy tone of the era. But as 40-year-old martial arts classics go, all is as it should be. Voices are clean and clear (albeit obviously, I'd argue endearingly ADR'd), Lalo Schifrin's chopsocky score sounds fantastic, the LFE channel digs in and unleashes its power, and the rear speakers lend subtle presence to the film's environments and interiors without robbing the sound design of its personality and period charm. Like the 40th Anniversary Edition's video transfer, Warner's lossless audio track isn't going to wow modern moviegoers hoping for the latest and greatest in classic-film sound mixing. But for those who've spent years longing to hear Enter the Dragon at its purest and most raw, for those who've quietly suffered with the 2007 release's lossy Dolby Digital track, the audio upgrade alone might be worth the price of admission.

Enter the Dragon Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray release of Enter the Dragon includes several small collectibles: promotional postcards with never-before-released production art and photographs, a replica of the "deputized ally" card distributed at the Enter the Dragon premiere, an embroidered iron-on patch, a motion lenticular card, and a booklet that previews photographer Dave Friedman's "Enter the Dragon: A Photographer's Journey," which will be available for purchase on August 15th.

When it comes to extras, the 40th Anniversary Edition only disappoints in one regard: "A Warrior's Journey," the 100-minute documentary featured on the film's 2007 Blu-ray release, is nowhere to be found. Three new HD featurettes are offered up in exchange, but while each one is welcome, the new content doesn't make up for the loss of such a candid and extensive documentary.

• New: No Way As Way (HD, 26 minutes): Vintage interviews with Bruce Lee are framed by reflections on Lee's example and discussions on his philosophy from boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard, actor George Takei, Grammy-nominated music artist Steve Aoki, Wren Lee Keasler, and Shannon and Linda Lee. The result is something of a hodgepodge documentary that leaps between a history of Lee's life and career (mainly by way of his wife), stories about personal struggle and success from Leonard, Takei and Akoi, and a look back at Enter the Dragon and its influence from all involved.
• New: Wing Chun (HD, 20 minutes): An assortment of martial artists the world over demonstrate and dissect the art that introduced Lee to kung fu. This is yet another peripheral bonus, but one that delves into an aspect of Lee's talent and explosive skill the other featurettes and documentaries only orbit.
• New: Return to Han's Island (HD, 10 minutes): A tour of the key Hong Kong hotspots and locations used in Enter the Dragon. Though there's nothing terribly revealing or essential here, fans of the film will appreciate the additional insight into the production.
• Audio Commentary: Producer Paul Heller and writer Michael Allin (dialing into the chat via phone) engage in a decent discussion about the film, its impact, Lee's talents and contributions, and the martial artist's enduring appeal. The decades have left both men with spotty memories and rather emotionless anecdotes, but anyone hoping to find an informative technical track will be more than pleased with their dry discourse.
• Curse of the Dragon (SD, 87 minutes): Narrated by George Takai, this documentary is a comprehensive and personal look at Lee's death, the fate that befell his son Brandon years later on the set of The Crow, and his postmortem magnetism amongst fans of all generations.
• Blood and Steel (SD, 30 minutes): This more traditional behind-the-scenes featurette digs into the production, stuntwork, fight choreography, and performances. While not nearly as compelling as "Curse of the Dragon," it's a strong followup worth watching.
• Linda Lee Cadwell Interviews (SD, 16 minutes): Over the course of ten segments, Lee's widow tells stories about her late husband, discussing his role as a fighter, actor, and family man. Her recollections are captivating and revealing... I just wish she had more than sixteen minutes to cover so much ground. An audio commentary would have been more ideal, but I'll take what I can get.
• In His Own Words (SD, 19 minutes): It may include slices of rare interviews with Bruce Lee, but an abundance of film clips, as well as a somewhat stocky closing photo montage, make this a less-invigorating addition to the package.
• 1973 Archive Featurette (SD, 8 minutes): A vintage production featurette with enough dated spark and sizzle to induce a good laugh or two.
• Backyard Workout with Bruce (SD, 2 minutes): An all-too-short black and white home video.
• Trailers and TV Spots (SD)

Enter the Dragon Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Enter the Dragon has practically become synonymous with kung fu cinema, and for good reason. It's possible there's none better, and even more possible we'll never see someone like Bruce Lee again. All of which makes Warner's 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray that much more enticing. With a newly remastered video transfer, a lossless audio track, and a wide selection of extras new and old, the only disappointment to be had is the absence of a 100-minute documentary previously included on the inferior 2007 BD release. Ultimately, though, the 40th Anniversary Edition is, in almost every way, the version of Enter the Dragon to own. Add it to your collection today.