User reviews

excerpt, more at my location - A multitude of celebrities including Sugar Ray Leonard, LL Kool J, Jackie Chan, composer Lalo Schifrin and film directors John Woo and Brett Ratner pay homage to the greatest action superstar that ever lived. Written and directed by Steve Webb, How Bruce Lee Changed the World illustrates the influence and impact Lee has had on a whole generation, and why his greatness continues to be felt today by millions of people from all walks of life.

On the whole, How Bruce Lee Changed The World is a fresh new look at Lee's legacy and proof that his influence, through mixed martial arts, modern cinema, video games, commercials and a whole host of merchandise, is still being felt today. Although it may lack any real innovation, the documentary does put into context just how incredibly unique and important this man really was, and still is, and is therefore a well deserved tribute to an important global iconic figure.

I cannot partake in the launch of the Bruce Lee 7010 Spotlight Celebrations at the Hong Kong International Film Festival on Tuesday, which will be graced by Linda Lee and Shannon Lee, the wife and daughter of Bruce Lee respectively, and comes complete with film screenings of all his films, especially the earlier, non kung-fu ones, exhibitions, seminars and a newly launched publication whose cover is as above. But that doesn't mean that I cannot choose not to watch this when found hidden within the menus of the plane's inflight entertainment unit.

Written and directed by Steve Webb, How Bruce Lee Changed The World has been meticulously researched for the breath of Bruce Lee's work and influence around the world, and watching him in action again takes the cake, thanks to the fantastic sequences from his films and TV series like The Green Hornet even, complete with plenty of archival photos and footage of the man who would bring about a huge cultural impact for underdogs, and in general, for people around the world.

Perhaps the most valuable amongst all the footage seen, to a fan like myself, will be the documentary ones with Bruce Lee showing what it takes to be an all round fighter working hard to maintain a tip top physique, as well as executing moves which will leave everyone doing a double take. It's quite unbelievable to see through the archival clips left, but Bruce Lee can do one-hand-two-fingered pushups repeatedly, floor someone with his famed one- inch punch, and mesmerize opponents with his lightning quick reflexes, leaving one grasping for the air, when he would have already delivered a lethal blow.

Containing scores of interviews with those who have been co-stars, students, peers and just about anyone who had worked with him before, even luminaries such as Golden Harvest's Raymong Wong, the film shares plenty of how the Bruce Lee influence shaped their respective lives, from being touched by his philosophy, approach to martial arts, or just about debunking stereotypes and the boosting of hopes for the downtrodden who have been inspired by his martial arts films where the character he plays seek justice, and is never shy to use his fists and weapons like the nunchaks when the situation calls for it.

From time to time I wonder just how Bruce Lee would have further developed himself as a fighter with his Jeet Kune Do, as well as the numerous kung-fu flicks that he would have brought to the table, if not for his unfortunate, early demise. One can only fantasize, otherwise this film is a fitting tribute of one of Asia's biggest action stars who's really the real deal.

I really don't have much to say about this weak documentary. Unlike previous documentaries it does not capture the spirit of Bruce Lee. I has no understanding of his impact, philosophy, legacy, etc. Talks with all the wrong people. Have factual information that is ridiculous: "Glasgow is one of the most violent cities in Europe." Yeah, right, sure they would have agreed with that in Sarajevo? (I meant that ironically). With that kind of standard for documentaries you really give that art-form a bad name. It just seemed they had talked with a lot of frustrated people who says clichéd things like: "Bruce Lee used what was useful," and other meaningless garbage like that. It just goes on and on forever, for example trying to portray Jackie Chan as "a major star" (which he is not, in my opinion - in ten years time no one will remember Jackie Chan). So this movie is just all about ego and misses all opportunities to make a great philosophical documentary on the legacy of Bruce Lee.