‘Enter dragon’ is a vivid example that fits within the Chinese martial art film genre. The film was produced by Hollywood studio (Warner Bros) in association Gold Harvest, and Concord Company, and the movie was set up in Hong Kong. The seven Little Fortunes were used as the stuntmen in the movie, i.e. Yuen Biao, Sammo Hung, and Jackie Chan. During the opening sequence of the movie, portly Hung fights Lee, while Chan fights presented as a Henchman when Lee is found in the Han’s underground lair. Lee intended to use the Shaolin Monastery fight sequence, which would be very instrumental in illustrating the beauty behind the Chinese culture. This differentiation is necessary because it changes the perception of the audience and creates a glimpse of a true Chinese culture.
The selection of jazz music in the film is spot on because it clearly demonstrates that it fits well in the genre of an action film. The opening theme of the film, Enter the Dragon,' is infrequently introduced with eastern-sounding chords and instrumental voicing, backbeat with an adrenaline pumping rhythm that is soaked in wah-wah guitar. There are numerous interjections of dramatic bass and vocalization of Lee's frightening khiai. The film employs Lalo Schifrin's soundtrack, ‘Enter the Dragon’, because it incorporates various elements of the music that suits a martial art film. The selections of these elements enhance the sounds that follow up the action of the film, which reflect the various scenes in the film.
The first characteristic in the film, ‘Enter the Dragon’ is the use of two good guy-heroes that work together to battle the bad guy. A former Shaolin Temple student Mr. Han, who was forced out of the temple because of misconduct, is involved in a circle of drug trafficking and prostitution in an isolated island. He operates a martial art school that holds tournaments every three years. The school acts as an undercover project to protect his drug operations and as a method to enlist exemplary talents to extend his organization. Braithwaite, an intelligent officer, notices the criminal activities of Han, but he will require assistance from a Shaolin Temple best disciple.
This film can be classified as an action movie because various scenes are characterized by heroic stunts of the latter trying to fight for their survival against strong adversaries. William is entangled in a battle with the police officers, and he must run away to avoid their wrath. The second scene is where Roper must succeed in running away from the powerful mafias, where crossing their line means death. The climax of the movie is in a fighting ring, which is based on a solid Chinese culture. Lee is a Shaolin martial artist, who must use his powers to liberate the two condemned former army officers, and must use his skills and articulacy to get them way from the island alive.
The film is also characterized by extreme legal misconduct with very powerful characters controlling the economy through illegal business. For instance, Han is very powerful and holds a martial art competition in the island, which means utter isolation. Behind the stage, Han runs a powerful illegal business, which is characterized by prostitution and drug trafficking. Han has a strict security system and holds the jurisdiction over all activities that go on within the island. Therefore, their visitation into the island can only be completed in his terms. For instance, they are not allowed to carry their firearms with them nor carry any investigations. The expedition is extremely dangerous, and in case they make any miscalculation, they will never leave the island alive.
Braithwaite approaches Lee, who believed to be the best equipped to help him with the mission. Lee is determined to help Braithwaite in order to restore the image of the Shaolin that Han has already tarnished. He also discovers that Han's bodyguard, O'Hara, participated in the killing of his sister, and wants to revenge. Lee pretends to be a competitor, which gives him a chance to investigate the matter forcing him to fight several guards. In the final stages, he encounters Han, who is skillfully equipped as well, but manages to bring him down. They succeed in exposing the drug-trafficking operation and rescue the victims.
Initially, the agency recruits Lee to investigate a tournament that Han hosts, who they believe to be trading in Opium. Roper and Williams, who are former army friends, enter the tournament with an aim to certain personal problems that they have, optimistic that they will triumph. Roper is initially entangled in a series of debts from betting with the Mafia and is on the run. Similarly, William is fleeing from an altercation with racist police officers and users their car on his getaway. The two are trapped in an island, but Lee has a huge task of getting them out of the trap alive.
Distinct scenes, with extreme action with races, and rescues provide a proper theme development approach in the film. For instance, a scene where commotion ensues between the William and the authorities creates action within the movie. In an ideal situation, William is supposed to succumb to the wrath of the officers but instead, he escapes. A theme of racism unveils in this case. Illegal gambling, which involves the mafias provides a strong backbone for the development of some dark businesses that thrive behind the scenes. The business is dangerous, and the people who cross lines with the mafias must experience the wrath of the masters. This scene too provides an incidence of action and tension, which can also be used to give judgment in the movie.
The film, ‘die hard’ and ‘Enter the dragon’, have many features in common. In both films, lethal characters grace the scenes with heroic stunts. In both films, there immense stakes that are under contention, and master plans save the day. There is extreme action in both films with a strong sense of tension being used to hold the attention of the audience.
Conclusion
Enter the Dragon defines a very dangerous expedition, in which the characters are expected to enter a dangerous island, investigate illegal business and bring the perpetrator to justice. However, the owner, Han, who owns the island, is very powerful. Just like the name implies, a dragon is extremely dangerous and attempts to go in leaves one with minimal chances of coming out alive. The plot provides a series of scenes with heroic stunts, which are presented on a common stage towards the end of the film. The execution of a master plan to tame the villain (Han) in a series of altercations give a conclusion to the film.
