Brandon Lee
Arguably the best and most well-known martial artist of all time, Bruce Lee developed his own fighting method known as Jeet Kune Do, a revolutionary and controversial new form utilizing no fixed positions. Jeet Kune Do might have been impossible to teach to newcomers to martial arts after Lee's death if not for programs like this, in which the man himself teaches the basic tenants of his martial art to the viewer. This program includes Lee's demonstration of his punching method, kicking techniques, movement combat principles, and his own explanation of the philosophy behind Jeet Kune Do and how it can be applied to life. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
Based on the graphic novel by James O'Barr, this fantasy follows Eric Draven (Brandon Lee), a rock musician who is murdered along with his fiancée Shelly (Sofia Shinas) by a group of marauding thugs who terrorize the decaying city in which they live. One year to the day after his death (which happens to be Devil's Night), a mystical crow appears at Eric's grave; Eric rises from the dead and, with the bird as his guide, goes on a mission to avenge himself against Top Dollar (Michael Wincott), the leader of the gang who killed him. Star Brandon Lee was killed while filming a scene in which he was shot with a shell from an improperly cleaned gun that was supposed to be loaded with blanks. Like his father, martial arts superstar Bruce Lee, Brandon was fated to enjoy his greatest popular success after his premature death. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brandon Lee, Ernie Hudson, (more)
Follow the remarkable life of martial arts icon Bruce Lee, from his birth in San Francisco to his mysterious death in Hong Kong, in an absorbing, highly informative documentary featuring interviews with those who were closest to the legendary actor and athlete. Few screen stars have experienced such a rapid rise to stardom as the star of Enter the Dragon and Game of Death, and now, as such friends and colleagues as Jackie Chan, James Coburn, and Bolo Yeung share their fondest memories of the agile martial arts icon, fans can finally find out just why he continues to inspire such stars as Ong-Bak's Tony Jaa even decades after his untimely death. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
In this better-than-average kick-boxer foray, Brandon Lee (son of famed martial-arts film star, Bruce Lee) stars as a young art student who happens to witness a drug murder and is placed in protective custody by federal agents. It's not too long before he realizes that the only real protection he can count on is his own martial-arts training. This film is rated R for violence, sex and profanity. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brandon Lee, Powers Boothe, (more)
Director Mark L. Lester modeled this police action drama on the Hong Kong style, guaranteeing plenty of over-the-top action sequences. Dolph Lundgren stars as police detective Chris Kenner, an American raised in Japan. He is given a new partner, Johnny Murata (Brandon Lee, making his Hollywood debut), a Japanese raised in America. The two are made for each other -- Chris doesn't appreciate American culture, while Johnny doesn't much like Japanese culture. One thing they both enjoy are the martial arts, of which they are experts. The two are assigned to L.A.'s Little Tokyo, trying to nab the notorious Yoshida (Carey-Hiroyuki Tagawa), a drug manufacturer using a local brewery as his distribution center. Yoshida, a member of the Yakuza, has brought the residents of Little Tokyo to their knees. But Chris has personal reasons for wanting to get Yoshida -- as a child he witnessed Yoshida murdering his parents. When Yoshida rapes and kidnaps Minako (Tia Carrere), a beautiful lounge singer, it's the last straw and Chris and Johnny set out for Yoshida's heavily guarded home for a big showdown. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dolph Lundgren, Brandon Lee, (more)
In this action adventure tale, Professor Braun (Ernest Borgnine), an expert in weapons technology, is kidnapped by Soviet terrorists who intend to force him to make a high-tech laser cannon for them. Intelligence agents Michael Gold (Brandon Lee) and Alissa (Debi A. Monahan) are sent in by the CIA to rescue him and recover a cache of stolen diamonds before it's too late for Braun and the world at large. Laser Mission marked Brandon Lee's first starring role in a U.S. feature film, three years before his tragic death while shooting The Crow. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brandon Lee, Ernest Borgnine, (more)
The first film role of the late Brandon Lee, this Hong Kong thriller is the story of Brandon (Lee), a hard-working young man who has an unfortunate friendship with Michael (Michael Wong), a gangster who has his eye on Brandon's girlfriend May (Regina Kent). Michael frames Brandon for the murder of one of his rivals, and Brandon is imprisoned. Many years later, Brandon's reunion with May and their son is cut short when Michael kidnaps the mother and child. Brandon must rescue his family and exact revenge on Michael. Although Lee had yet to reach the level of acting demonstrated in The Crow and Rapid Fire, this 1986 film provides a better showcase for his martial arts abilities than his later American films; each film would progressively de-emphasize his skills. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brandon Lee, Michael Wong, (more)
- 1986
This 2-hour revival of the old David Carradine TV series was originally titled simply Kung Fu. Set in the west of the late 19th century, the film stars Carradine as Caine, the mystical Chinese-American priest who wanders the countryside seeking spiritual fulfillment-and occasionally busting a few bad-guy heads. Stopping over in a small town, Caine learns that an opium ring holds the townsfolk in thrall. Before the sun sets, Caine is engaged in a fierce martial-arts duel with a mysterious young man (played by Brandon Lee, son of Bruce). It comes as quite a jolt to Caine when he learns that his opponent is his own flesh and blood. Though Kung Fu: The Movie, originally telecast February 1, 1986, did not immediately result in a series, David Carradine would star in an updated version of the property, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, in 1992. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Carradine, Brandon Lee, (more)
