The internet is indeed a fickle master. Literally anyone can jump online and throw information they believe is true (or just plain made up). In turn, this untrue information is available to millions of users. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the case of Dragon Lee. If one believed the internet, Dragon Lee died in the early to mid-80s by either a drug overdose or as a result of a gangland slaying. Thankfully, neither of these scenarios is true. Instead, Lee continued making movies alongside such co-stars as Hwang Jang Lee in his native Korea. Beginning with this review, we will highlight a new Dragon Lee movie every week.
First off, I should state that the tape viewed is in Korean with no subtitles, therefore deciphering the nuances of the plot were rather difficult. Here is the plot synopsis according to the Korean Film Archive:
Oh-seung (Dragon Lee) is a living legend in the airborne troop headquarters for his outstanding combat abilities. He surprises everyone by his request for a transfer. One day, the special agents investigating the new underworld boss Yoo Deok-pal's (Hwang Jang Lee) group sex party are killed and Oh-seung is asked to bring down Deok-pal. Oh-seung has his old friend Ju-cheol released from jail and joins him in attacking the Deok-pal organization. Hyun-sook, an ex-colleague of Oh-seung and Ju-cheol, finds out about the investigation but she is helpless now as a regular member of Deok-pal's group sex. Deok-pal feels the heat from Oh-seung and Ju-cheol and kidnaps and murders their mentor Man-tae. On the day of the funeral, Deok-pal and his men surrender to Oh-seung and Ju-cheol, and his organization collapses together with other small crime groups.
Group sex party? What? I didn't see any of that in this film. Seriously, what I think that confusing plot synopsis is trying to relate is that Hwang Jang Lee runs a prostitution ring. Dragon Lee and his buddy are tracking him down. Pretty simple plot that sets up to deliver what both Lees are known for - kicking ass!
EMPEROR OF THE UNDERWORLD features some fantastic fight scenes. Made in 1994, these scenes really reminded me of stuff from the first two entries in Jackie Chan's POLICE STORY series. Guys take a wicked fall when kicked and execute vicious bumps onto heavy machinery. There is also a great nighttime sequence in the staple of modern martial arts cinema, the shipyard! However, the highlight for me is the last 15 minutes when Lee and his partner show up at Hwang Jang Lee's place with their friend's dead body (always a way to state you mean business). Featuring equal amounts gunplay and martial arts, this sequence culminates with a knock down, drag out brawl between Dragon Lee and Hwang Jang Lee. Both men must have been in their 40s when this was shot, but damned if you could tell. They are just as muscular, agile and quick as they were almost 20 years previous. Hwang can still hit three kicks in one jump and wrap his leg around his opponent's head. Hell, Dragon even pulls the old "slick yourself up" routine by covering himself in mud.
On a side note, it is so strange to see Dragon Lee and Hwang Jang Lee sporting short haircuts and contemporary clothing. And what clothing it is! Everyone dresses like Benny "The Jet" Urquidez in DRAGONS FOREVER. Dragon wears overcoats with shoulder pads that would make the Golden Girls blush. At one point, he even show up wearing a polka dotted shirt with one of those thin ties. Ouch! I should also mention my favorite bit when Dragon Lee goes to meet someone in a club. Playing in the club is perhaps the most obscene rap song I have ever heard. One of the lyrics is "I wanna fuck right now" and the chorus has girls singing, "Fuck me!" It is just too funny watching these guys have a serious conversation with that playing in the background.
In spite of this song and the films fashion disasters, I would definitely recommend this one to Dragon Lee and Hwang Jang Lee fans alike. While you may not be able to decipher the entire plot (unless you understand Korean), one does need a translator to understand the language of fists n' kicks. Plus, it is nice to see both men are alive and that neither one of them has slowed down over time.
Reviewed by William.