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critics consensus

While its impact is blunted by an overly reverential approach to its subject, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story remains a reasonably entertaining biopic of the martial arts legend. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

Bruce Lee's (Jason Scott Lee) rise begins in Hong Kong, as a young boy receiving traditional Chinese martial arts training. After an altercation compels young Bruce to leave the country, his father (Ric Young) sends him to the United States, imploring him to seek success that even Hong Kong will recognize. Bruce begins by teaching martial arts to American students, and eventually becomes a popular actor on the "Green Hornet" television series, known in Hong Kong as "The Kato Show."
  • Rating:
    PG-13
  • Genre:
    drama, biography
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Rob Cohen
  • Producer:
    Raffaella De Laurentiis
  • Writer:
    Rob Cohen, John Raffo, Edward Khmara
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $34.9M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Universal Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Stereo, Dolby Stereo, Surround
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Jason Scott Lee
Bruce Lee
Lauren Holly
Linda Lee
Robert Wagner
Bill Krieger
Michael Learned
Vivian Emery
Nancy Kwan
Gussie Yang
Kay Tong Lim
Philip Tan
Sterling Macer
Jerome Sprout
Ric Young
Bruce's Father
Sven-Ole Thorsen
The Demon
Rob Cohen
Director
Rob Cohen
Screenwriter
John Raffo
Screenwriter
Edward Khmara
Screenwriter
Raffaella De Laurentiis
Producer
John Badham
Executive Producer
Dan York
Executive Producer
Randy Edelman
Original Music
David Eggby
Cinematographer
Peter Amundson
Film Editor
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News & Interviews for Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

Cohen’s "New" Bruce Lee Film a No-Go
Rob Cohen Will Bring Bruce Lee Back to Life
The Return of Bruce Lee?
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Critic Reviews for Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

All Critics (23) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (17) | Rotten (6)

View All Critic Reviews (23)

Audience Reviews for Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

  • Feb 26, 2012
    Interesting film about the short life of the legend
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
  • May 31, 2010
    A dramatic biography about martial arts legend Bruce Lee (played by Jason Scott Lee *no relation*) who trains in Hong Kong and goes to America overcoming every obstacle from racism to rejection from his own people, to opening his Kung-Fu school, getting married and having kids. Lee's life is a touching tale depicting the struggle against a family curse of their sons dying young. It is said that the naming of Bruce Lee as Little Dragon -- Xiao Loong -- by his parents was sacrilegious and offended the gods (because Gods were also referred as Dragons in Chinese mythology). The release of Dragon and the retelling of the Chinese curse were given even greater poignancy and disquiet as they coincided with the death of Brandon Lee, Bruce's only son, while filming the Crow. Both father and son died at the threshold of breaking through in their careers. Lauren Holly is competent as the devoted wife Linda Lee's who stands by her man (but then again this is based on her own biography of Lee and actually co-written by her and no doubt she clearly wants to portray him in a positive light.) The movie depicts Bruce Lee's day to day trials and his own style, Jeet Kune Do including the incredulous reaction on the set of 'Green Hornet' the first time he did the role as sidekick Kato to his groundbreaking success in movies like The Big Boss and Enter the Dragon. How he led a life of fullness until it was short circuited at the tender age of 32. Dragon the Bruce Lee story may not be completely accurate and Jason Scott Lee is no Bruce Lee; he is physically too big to portray him. Bruce wasn't buff like him. Bruce was lean but still very muscular and extremely chiseled. Nevertheless this was a very inspirational story of a man who simply wanted to show others "the beauty of his culture" and I really enjoyed it. I saw Bruce Lee as an Idol and I choose to see him as a hero.
    Deb S Super Reviewer
  • Oct 05, 2009
    Exceptional ! the Legend of Bruce Lee will truely live forever, thanks in part to this remarkable film.
    Jess B Super Reviewer
  • Jun 29, 2009
    I LOVE Bruce Lee. I think his rise from very little to something very big, his worldview, and his philosophies were all very admirable, but, as sad and sensationalist conspiracy-theorist as it sounds - what I love most about Bruce Lee, and the Lee family in general, is the mystery surrounding them and their deaths. While this movie portrayed Lee in all his awesomeness, it didn't focus at all on A. any bad sides he may / may not have had (COME ON!!! Even freakin' Ghandi liked to sleep with 12 year old girls, everyone has some dodgy skeletons in their closets!), and B. It did nothing to further my knowledge on the conspiracy surrounding his death (actually managing to confuse me more). So ja, if you want to watch a teary chick-flick filled with romance and triumphing over great odds, then watch this, otherwise someone needs to come out with a proper movie filled with some real meat, as apposed to the tofu that this movie is stuffed with.
    alex m Super Reviewer
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