I finally got it! The long lost "epic" Fists of Bruce Lee. It came from the US on a double DVD along with Image of Bruce Lee and I couldn't wait to load it into my player. Would Lo Lieh's "Bionic Chain Punch" be worth the wait? Could I stand the sight of Bruce Li's white polyester flares again!?.......
To be honest, I'd rate this as the second WORST movie Li ever made. What's more, he directed the thing too and a right scissors and paste job it is! Li plays an undercover Interpol agent(hence the alternative title) posing as an electronic security systems expert. He's installing a system for a known crime boss "Mr. Lo"(the translator from Fist of Fury 2) who also has a pretty daughter who develops a crush on our hero. Anyway I think Li is trying to obtain a list of gang members from Lo and he's not the only one either...two rival gangs would give their arms to get this list. Various battles ensue including an intresting fight in a fairground. Actually the film is basically scenes of badly acted dialogue interspersed with OK Kung Fu action. You find yourself pleading for another fight to liven things up!
Li has a recurring nemesis who is a Wang Jang Lee-alike(beard and all) who shows some decent kicks. Lo Lieh basically has a bit part as a bodyguard for Lo. At the climax Li and his Nemesis(who also turns out to be an Interpol Agent) go against Lo Lieh with his "Chain punch" which is really a dummy gloved hand on a...CHAIN!...that he swings around. What a letdown.
Any good points? Well it's fun spotting all of the actors/stuntmen/bit players that appeared in other Bruce Li films and some of the locations are nice...but that's about it. Oh there is one really hilarious scene. Master Lo's Daughter is kidnapped and driven off in a black limo. What does Li do? Chase after it on a pedal bike. He then gets bushwhacked along the way and his chain falls off! So he continues the chase on foot. Wouldn't the budget stretch to a taxi then?
For completists only.........
Reviewed by Carl Jones (2001)