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Offering a peak into the exploitive and seedy side of the movie business, DYNAMO is one of the few films that could be considered "Bruce-Li-ploitation." Usually these types of films are exploiting the legacy of Bruce Lee. Here, the actual "rise from obscurity" fairy tale of Bruce Li is used for the basis for the movie's plot.
Li stars as Lee Ting Yee, a kung fu cabbie who martial arts prowess captures the eye of film producer Miss Mary. Conveniently arrive in HK the day of Bruce Lee's funeral, Miss Mary decides to exploit Lee's image and finds the next best thing when cabbie Yee beats up a few thugs in front of her. Yee is offered a contract for $10,000 a month, which he accepts, and is immediately put to work cranking out action pics. Yee is given everything his heart desires (clothes, money, women) and is forced to train with a gambling addicted instructor, Teacher Chow. Yee is reluctant the training but soon becomes an overnight success. This doesn't sit too well with a rival studio, headed by one Mr. George. He plans to cripple the competition by taking Yee out. Initially, they try taking Yee out but when that proves to be ineffective, they kidnap his girl and hold her hostage, hoping to control Yee during the film's finale at a fight tournament.
DYNAMO is indeed a strange movie. On one hand, the film is typical "Bruceploitation," using the master's death as a springboard and going so far as to include footage of his funeral. At the same time, the film comments on the unscrupulous nature of those who try to manipulate both performers and the public with imitation. Basically a film starring a Bruce Lee rip-off about the horrible people who makes Bruce Lee rip-offs. So, is it condemning the makers of Bruceploitation while delivering one? Who knows?
With that said, the film is generally very good. DYNAMO is truly an international movie. The film takes place in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and the United States. Now, whether they shot at all those locales is another question. But it adds to the feel of the film. The film also contains a certain amount of emotional depth as Yee deals with fame and how it affects his relationship with his girlfriend. However, the film's highlight is the rapport between Yee and his drunkard of a teacher. "Feel free to attack me at any time," says his instructor. This leads to some great scenes where the duo spontaneously breaks out into fights. The fights are well choreographed, when it is actually Bruce Li onscreen that is. DYNAMO does the strangest thing by including fights from other movies. The characters are supposed to be Yee but obviously aren't him. In fact, one fight features Danny Lee and is from the film BRUCE LEE, HIS LAST DAYS! I hope the filmmakers weren't working under the assumption that "they all look alike" to Western audiences. On a side note, director Wa Yat Wang went on to work with Billy Chong in the hyper-cinematic efforts JADE CLAW and KUNG FU ZOMBIE.
Reviewed by William
Read William's review of the Dynamo DVD from Ground Zero.
