Birth of the Dragon

With a premise that promised to delve into one of the most iconic moments in martial arts history, this film falls short on nearly every front. The story overly simplifies Bruce Lee's character, reducing him to a shallow figure lacking the depth necessary to honor his legacy. While it attempts to build an engaging narrative around the legendary fight between Lee and Wong Jack Man, it does so clumsily and without the intensity the subject deserves. The fight scenes, which should be the heart of the film, are disappointing and fail to capture the spectacle and mastery one would expect in a tribute to Lee. The plot is riddled with clichés and predictable twists, diluting any emotional or narrative impact it might have had. While there are moments hinting at a more ambitious approach—such as exploring martial arts philosophy or cultural clashes—these elements are handled superficially and without cohesion. The final product fails both as a biographical drama and as a memorable action film, leaving the impression that the story deserved a much more thoughtful and passionate execution.

Fun in parts, but hardly the stuff of legend. The fighting scenes needed an action director, especially one with a background in martial arts. Too often the movie feels lightweight, almost like a tv movie, and so fails to make a punch where it should matter. Disappointing, especially for Bruce Lee fans.