Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

Directed by Rob Cohen, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story explores the life and times of Jason Scott Lee’s title figure – with a particular emphasis on his efforts at bringing kung fu to American and his relationship with Lauren Holly’s Linda. Filmmaker Cohen, working from a script written alongside Edward Khmara and John Raffo, delivers an often engrossing biopic that filters its subject’s existence through an admittedly (and entertainingly) stylized lens, as the movie’s familiar narrative has been augmented with several action and fight sequences that would feel right at home within a Bruce Lee picture – with the compelling atmosphere heightened (and then some) by Scott Lee’s magnetic and almost unreasonably charismatic turn as the legendary performer. And while the film admittedly does contain some less-than-subtle instances of melodrama, including (and especially) Linda’s growing impatience with Bruce’s work schedule, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story generally comes off as a superior true-life tale that shines a welcome spotlight on an undeniably iconic individual.

***1/2 out of ****