Fist of Fury

This film is a classic but then all of Bruce's completed films are classics.

3rd best Bruce Lee movie, and the one with the most "classic Hong Kong" feel.

Rating: 3.75* / 5* or 7.5/10

It's a 7.5. I honestly think it's a "must watch" for martial arts fans because the film is very simple and straightforward, but the fight choreography (which are not few), seems fine to me. So, I really don't think there's much to say beyond the fact that the fights are good, and since it's a martial arts film, I think it should be appreciated for that.

Like I said, I think it's a must-watch if you're interested in the genre, but if it's not your thing, I honestly feel like you're not missing out on anything.

Something I find subtle but interesting is the historical context, as the film takes place in 1938 while China was occupied by Japan. Shanghai was this sort of international settlement influenced by several Western countries, so in those early years of the conflict, there wasn't absolute Japanese control. It's also evident that the film has a tone of xenophobia toward the Chinese on the part of the Japanese.

For Bruce fights scenes, it's excellent. Not his best but there are several of them so it makes up in quantity what it slightly lacks in quality.

The story is based on truth - the hatred of the Chinese and Japanese during occupation - but the events are largely fictionalised.

I love the nunchaku scene in this film. Brilliant set design.

The myth of Bruce's superhuman ability starts with this film. The Big Boss doesn't show him as well.

If the budget and direction were not as cheap as they were, this would have been a front runner for best Bruce movie. The script and pacing wiuld benefit from a higher calibre of crew. But Bruce isn't able to be improved on, he was just great.

(interestingly you can see that he's looking a little fleshy here and the vanity he had led to him stepping up his training to drop body fat for Way of the Dragon. And then he went painfully thin for Enter The Dragon)


7.75/10

One of the few Bruce Lee movies. And one of the best. A must for fans of the man.

The fighting itself, especially when Bruce Lee first fought was pretty fantastic but overall the plot and direction was flimsy at best making it hard to get into the story.

couldn't agree more with yngtadpole