“Enter the Dragon” makes great gift for dads
If that special guy in your life is a fan of martial arts movies, finding him a Father’s Day gift will be easy this year.
“Enter the Dragon 40th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition” ($49.99, Blu-ray Disc; June 11), starring the late, great Bruce Lee, who died at age 32, has arrived with a remastered high-def pressing of the popular R-rated action film.
The package also contains numerous featurettes, documentaries and bonus materials, such as an embroidered patch and collectible color cards.
According to Warner Bros., “Enter the Dragon” has sold more than 450,000 units on DVD and Blu-ray Disc since 2004.
In 2004, the motion picture was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.”
In “Enter the Dragon,” Lee portrays a James Bond-type figure traveling to a distant island to compete in a martial arts competition and collect evidence on a drug dealer and slave trader named Han (Shih Kien). John Saxon and Jim Kelly co-star as tournament participants who quickly become aware of the horrors Han heaps upon the poor and defenseless.
During its theatrical runs, the film grossed $25 million domestically, which transforms into $180 million in today’s dollars.
Born in San Francisco on Nov. 27, 1940, Lee changed the action-film genre by introducing American audiences to stylish martial arts battles.
They forever replaced the old-school roundhouse screen punches thrown by silver screen stars such as John Wayne.
The new featurettes include “No Way As Way,” “The Return to Han’s Island” and “Wing Chun: The Art That Introduced Kung Fu to Bruce Lee.”
Lee’s four Hong Kong movies have been remastered on DVD and packaged as double bills for $14.99 each:
The R-rated titles are “The Big Boss”/”Fist of Fury” and “The Way of the Dragon”/”Game of Death.”
Those seeking insight into Lee should definitely consider the excellent “I Am Bruce Lee” ($19.99, DVD; $26.99, Blu-ray Disc).
The unrated documentary looks at Lee’s incredible accomplishments and features interviews with Kobe Bryant, Mickey Rourke, Ed O’Neill, Gina Carano, as well as Lee’s widow, Linda, and daughter, Shannon.