Another fine outing from Bruce Le, solid story, great acting, and superb martial arts...hahahaha...I'm only kidding. I don't quite understand the title "Return of Bruce" because the Bruce Le character is called Wong Lung and there is nobody in the film named Bruce. I guess I shouldn't nitpick. Rather than type for pages about the plot complexities I'll just tell what the back of the box says.
"In the backstreets of Manila, Bruce uncovers a ruthless band of white slave traders led by the notorious Cruz. Cruz is protected at all times by an impenetrable army of martial arts experts. When his girlfriend is kidnapped, Bruce sets out on a deadly mission to rescue her and to brutally destroy the gang members...one by one in a final showdown."
Yep, good stuff or what?! First of all they refer to him as Bruce, but as I said he's called Wong Lung in the movie. Next they aren't white slave traders, the bad guys are kidnapping girls for sex slaves. Last "Bruce" sets out to get the bad guys after his cousin is killed, not after his girlfriend is kidnapped. As I said I shouldn't nitpick.
In a review of another movie I had said that every kung fu movie has an annoying character, this movie has not one, but two annoying characters. The first one is a fat little orphan kid named Piggy. The other one is this gay guy that works for Cruz. I'm sorry he's not gay, he's just extravagant. The guys prances around with a handkerchief tied around his neck and trips over everything. One somewhat funny part is when the guy is trying to follow Bruce, and Bruce kicks a turd on the guy's face. Outrageous! Also two of the best quotes in the movie are related to the flamboyant guy.
"You don't smell good! Get away from me!" Cruz to the gay guy.Ha ha...that's good stuff, real funny. You could work those into everyday conversation.
"That faggot's crazy. He seems cuckoo." Customer of Cruz speaking to Cruz about the gay guy.
Now Cruz is a dealer in young girls for the sex trade. He keeps them locked up in his cellar. He's not cruel, he provides all the aminities for them. Like sheer clothing so you can see their breasts, and cigarettes.
At the end when Bruce finds his cousin dying he sets out for revenge. He beats up everybody who gets in his way. First the lowly henchmen and next two gwailo fighters. All the while he is making Bruce Lee type sounds and stuff, but he goes way overboard. It's like "Stop killing that cat!" Anyway when Bruce gets to the Japanese guy who killed his cousin, they fight, and Bruce wins. Just when you think it's over Lo Leih shows up as the Japanese guy's brother. Bruce is getting his ass kicked, but then punches through the guy's gut and kills. Meanwhile little Piggy was waiting down by the pier for Bruce to show up. Bruce was too busy fighting, and the movie ends with a sad and lonely Piggy walking away. What a disappointing ending! It's just I expected a more satisfying conclusion that's all.
This isn't important, but I thought I'd point it out. When Bruce is fighting this one guy at the end in Cruz's mansion, you can see a christmas tree in the background. There is also a subplot with these two cops trying to get Cruz, but it really doesn't make sense. There I go nitpicking again.
The movie is titled "Return of Bruce", but where is he returning from...obscurity? Dude, you're still there.
"Reviewed" by Keith.