Legend
Of Bruce Lee: Volume One
(2008/Well Go USA DVD)
Picture:
B Sound: B Extras: D Film: B-
Bruce
Lee was not only a phenomenon in front of the camera but behind the
camera as well. Many films have given us a unique look at his life
including the 1993 Rob Cohen film Dragon:
The Bruce Lee Story.
Here with the 2008 Legend
of Bruce Lee: Volume One,
we get an international look at the superstar which sums up the early
years of his life and what helped shape him as a legend. Originally
broadcast on CCTV and spanning fifty episodes total in length, this
is Volume
One
of the series that is no doubt the most expansive bio on Bruce Lee
yet. It is also produced by Shannon Lee, who is Lee's real-life
daughter.
Danny
Chan stars as Lee with Michelle Lang as Lee's wife Linda Lee Cadwell
and other martial artists such as Mark Dacascos, Ray Park, Gary
Daniels, Ernest Miller, and Michael Jai White are also featured in
the series as well, playing the roles of familiars throughout the
series. This particular volume focuses on Bruce Lee's high school
years.
Bruce
Lee attends a high school with primarily British students that leaves
him being something of an outsider. He is constantly being
discriminated due to his race and challenged physically. Wanting to
prove that he can stand up for himself, Bruce ends up boxing under
the leadership of three-time boxing champion David Koffer. Soon
developing an interest in martial arts, Lee ends up being trained
under Master Lee which changes his life forever and allows him to
realize his true calling. The volume ends with Bruce getting into a
motorcycle accident and soon finding his way to America.
While
nicely shot and produced, the biggest drawback here are the
lackluster English dubs which take away from the feature at times.
Otherwise, we are given a standard definition transfer with a 1.78:1
widescreen aspect ratio a lossy Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo track that
looks and sounds fine on DVD but could benefit from high definition.
No
extras.
Lee
fans will definitely want to give this expansive series a look. I'm
excited for Volume
Two!
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
