The name Bruce Lee is forever ingrained into international pop culture’s DNA. A fascinating figure, Lee not only brought mainstream attention to Martial Arts with his films, but he was also truly a master of the form. In fact, he is arguably the most influential martial artist of all-time. Also responsible for the popularization of Action films, his brilliance was sadly not truly realized until after his untimely death in 1973. Only thirty-two years of age at the time, many have speculated about the odd circumstances surrounding his passing, and in the years to follow experts have drawn various logical conclusions, but does anyone really know the truth? Forever a mystery, ironically Lee’s most successful film premiered a month after his death in the USA, and that film is known as Enter the Dragon.
Massively impactful, Enter the Dragon was a box office smash, and will always be regarded as one of the best Martial Art films of all-time. Why? Well, for one it could arguably be Lee’s biggest role; opening the eyes of a wider audience to his greatest. Additionally, it featured a unique plot that unified Martial Arts with spy elements, earning it further praise. Moreover, if you really look at it, it is artistically filmed, choreographed, and enchantingly engaging.
All these factors in mind, Enter the Dragon is probably a film that everyone should see at least once. Transcending generations, home video formats have offered various versions of the film to viewers, but now in 2023 Warner Bros. Home Entertainment presents Enter the Dragon in 4K Ultra HD for the first time ever. Released on August 8th, this brand-new release celebrated the 50th anniversary of the film’s 1973 release and probably has many fans curious about what it all has to offer.
A good question, many have most likely already purchased Enter the Dragon on VHS, Laserdisc, DVD, or Blu-ray over the last forty years. So, is this worth the upgrade? The answer is really up to the individual’s preferences to be honest. If you are someone curious to see what this classic film would look like in 4K, then this is absolutely a purchase you are going to want to make. Including both the original theatrical version (99 minutes), as well as the special-edition version (102 minutes), other extras include an introduction from Bruce Lee’s wife (Linda Lee Cadwell), plus commentary from Producer Paul Heller and Writer Michael Allin. Also, it features a really attractive cover art and slipcase cover.
Beyond this, the main selling point here is the 4K transfer, and it does not disappoint. Clarified, the transfer is extremely bright and features colors that are more vibrant than ever before. Smooth, clean, and really quite beautiful, it is hands down the most persistent presentation of Enter the Dragon to date. And those looking for a little more than just this single disc 4K release, Warner Bros. also have a Limited Collector’s Edition 4K steelbook 2-disc which came out on August 18th, and it features a ton of extras. However, the 2-disc set is limited to only 3,000 pieces, so the standard 4K release may be more attainable. Again up to the collector, if you are looking for extra features, perhaps you should keep your DVD or Blu-ray copies, but still invest in this 4K edition as well. All aspects considered, Cryptic Rock gives the 50th anniversary standard release of Enter the Dragon in 4K 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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