Rapid Fire

We'll never know what Brandon Lee, who was the son of the late martial arts legend Bruce Lee, would be capable of in Hollywood since he, like his father, died before the peek of his fame, and subsequently a mass following has been built in his memory.

Bruce Lee died just weeks before the American premiere of his last completed film "Enter the Dragon" in 1973. Consequently, Lee had also been working on the "Game of Death" before his passing, which we would later see, meticulously reconstructed (as Lee had intended), in John Little's touching and poignant documentary "Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey."

Brandon was slain by a stunt gun while filming a scene in his last movie, 1994's "The Crow." Using careful CGI techniques, the filmmakers were able to successfully gather enough footage of Lee's performance to complete the film. Lee haunted every frame of Alex Proyas' dark and deeply affecting film, which was the adaptation of James O'Barr's popular comic book character.

Brandon, like his father, was also a talented performer - actor and martial artist. However, if one were looking for Brandon's acting talents, look at "The Crow," as you will not see much of him using martial arts. If one were looking to see him using those martial arts talents, and the best showcase for those talents, look no further than 1992's "Rapid Fire."

"Rapid Fire," from the beginning, has a very flimsy plot, as Lee plays a Chicago art student who witnesses the gangland murder of a South Asian drug lord by Italian mobsters. Lee can't trust anyone, as he's forced to go on the run from gangsters (Asian and Italian), cops, and other corrupt law enforcement officials. It seems that he can only find comfort and protection through his martial arts skills and an independent Chicago police unit headed by a grizzled cop (Powers Boothe).

As stated before, you should only watch "Rapid Fire" for Brandon Lee's martial arts skills, as this is really the best place to see them; you're not going to find them in "The Crow." Brandon did the best that he could with this role and just went with it.

Brandon, like his father, passed on before true success would reign in on him. Like Bruce and "Enter the Dragon," Brandon and his last film "The Crow," will be forever remembered by fans and cinema-goers alike in years to come.

I'm not really sure where "Rapid Fire" would stand in Brandon's short-lived career, other than it was a showcase for his fighting talents. "Rapid Fire" is decent, certainly not perfect, but very fun to watch nonetheless.

7/10

This was Brandon Lee's second american made movie (Showdown In Little Tokyo was the first) and the film where you could see Brandon was starting his ascent up the action hero ladder. With each film Brandon's martial arts skills improved and in this movie he really shines. Not to mention his acting ability as well. He proved in this movie that he had what it takes to be a star. He incorporated some Hong Kong style action similar to Jackie Chan's films into this movie. An example is a terrific sequence in a small apartment where Lee takes on several bad guys armed with guns and he takes them out with his hands, feet, kitchen utensils, refrigerator doors, etc. Powers Boothe also does a great job as tired cop and Nick Mancuso plays the main villain very superb. The Crow was Brandon Lee's best movie but Rapid Fire displays his fighting skills the best. Definitely a must for action fans!

At first glance, RAPID FIRE may only look like the undistinguished martial arts motion picture. However, once you view this illustriously grand action flick, you will be pleasantly amazed. Believe me, you will have discovered pure gold!

Jake Lo (Brandon Lee) is a young art student caught in the middle of a violent crime scene. After inadvertently witnessing the execution of a businessman, Carl Chang (Michael Paul Chan), Lo eventually finds himself to be a moving target. With no one to turn to for help, he can only rely on his instincts if he wants to stay alive...

Chang just happens to be an associate of a heinous drug kingpin named Kinman Tau (Tzi Ma). Understandably, Tau is ticked off at this very moment. Tau decides to go to war against his Mafia counterpart, Antonio Serrano (Nick Mancuso), who was the guy that ordered Chang's murder. A ferocious drug war is soon to erupt between the Chinese and Italian mobs. Guess who is caught in the middle? Jake Lo will imminently find himself fighting against both sides...

With corrupt cops and crooked FBI agents on his trail, plus the expected Chinese and Italian gangs who both want his head, the `kid' Jake Lo seems to be unfairly outnumbered. However, there are three people that Lo may be able to trust. One, he knows that he can trust himself, that's for sure. The other two `allies' are Mace Ryan (Power Booths), and his assistant, Intelligence Officer Karla Withers (Kate Hodge). Even with help on his side, the kid must keep fighting...for the sake of clearing his own name and saving his own life...

Jake Lo may be unarmed...but watch out, he is viably a one-man army.

RAPID FIRE is far from being a perfected masterpiece, but it does try. Yes, the movie has its liabilities. Admittedly, the film's major foible is its plot. Some elements are cliché ridden and the people in this movie behave in a volatile manner. These villainous henchmen obviously need target practice too. Also, an intriguing sub-plot about Lo's family participating in the Tiananmen Square massacre is well-intentioned but never fully developed. If the script focused a little bit more about Jake's family background and their involvement in the massacre, then perhaps this film could have a substantial amount of insight about the horrors of Tiananmen and how it has affected the lives of many Chinese people.

Unfortunately, another problem prevailing in this movie is the common use of typical Oriental stereotypes. On the bright side though, the Asians are portrayed more often as heroes rather then sadistic villains. Meanwhile, the Mafioso also gets the *Hollywood* treatment...

Frankly, the film may have its many cheesy moments, but I am willing to let most of them slide. The plot itself lacks the needed twists, but who cares, the action, which is essentially directed with flair, is what counts...

If action is what is important to you, then action is what you get. RAPID FIRE certainly rates high on the entertainment scale. The action is as explosive as dynamite. From the noteworthy stick fight in the beginning to the intense shoot-out inside a museum, RAPID FIRE strikes with highlighted, exceptional action sequences. The best action scene has to be the meticulously crafted fists-and-guns battle inside a Chicago restaurant. RAPID FIRE is an out-and-out thriller. It contains nonstop thrills with adrenaline pumping, glass shattering action. This film rushes at a breakneck pace. The explosive action will knock you out of your seat!

As well, the cast is accomplished, with fine performances by Tzi Ma and Nick Mancuso as the despicable villains. Powers Boothe is good as a hard-line yet compassionate undercover police officer. It is also interesting to see how this brave but irrational cop reminds the main character of his own father and how he behaved. Kate Hodge is cute but always persistently dedicated to her duties as Ryan's crackerjack partner. Tony Longo (THE ART OF DYING) is also adequate as Serrano's colossal right-hand man.

Without a doubt, the motion picture's star, the late Brandon Lee is a natural talent. He has some really cool techniques. Like his father Bruce, Brandon Lee is one of the finest martial artists to have graced the screens. Brandon Lee is an appropriately strong action hero. The director, Dwight H. Little (MURDER AT 1600, MARKED FOR DEATH) wisely keeps the film moving while allowing Brandon Lee to demonstrate his martial arts prowess. As for his acting ability, though Lee is not an adept actor, he is a refined, suave character who conveys many emotions including firm cynicism (i.e. when the hero refuses to join a politically motivated organization), requisite charisma, and occasional light-hearted humor. On screen, he may look tough on the surface, but he is inherently soft. He even has a charming sense of humor (like his father). The director continuously focuses the spotlight on Lee as the star. Lee is a deft, skillful martial artist primed to follow in his father's footsteps...

Thanks to a solid lead and some wild action sequences, RAPID FIRE is better than the customary martial arts adventure. The hand-to-hand combat is magnificent and the movie is just brimming with technical bravura. I cannot praise this movie enough. If you enjoy high-octane fun (and who does not), then prepare for RAPID FIRE excitement. It is a swift, professionally made movie that never fails to entertain. RAPID FIRE is awesome. It is a surefire bet for enthusiasts of sleek and smooth cinema.

As for the great Brandon Lee, it is too tragic that an auspicious young actor has passed on. He definitely would have been as great as his legendary father. Though Brandon Lee may be gone, his spirit will live on in everyone's hearts and memories.

RATING: *** out of ****.

Jake Lo lives in America having seen his father killed in Tiananmen Square during protests. He is embittered about taking a stand for anything and believes his father died for nothing. However while at a fund raiser he sees mobster Serrano kill a Chinese drug dealer and finds himself in the witness protection programme with the FBI. However when `FBI' agents try to kill him he finds himself on the run not knowing who to trust. He eventually finds himself with a Chicago cop Ryan who will do anything to get to Serrano's boss Tau.

This is an excellent little martial arts film mainly due to the involvement of the late Brandon Lee. The story never really gets above the usual B-movie fare of guns and gangsters. There is some clever stuff with occasions where we and Lee never know who to trust, but for most of the way the story is simply an excuse for a huge amount of fight scenes. Lee has plenty of skills, he doesn't rely on wire work for spectacle but here he has a mix of his father's style and Chan's ability to use everyday items. The fights are well handled and all his moves are clear to see, making it all the more interesting to watch.

Lee is excellent here, he's really fit and has movie star looks. His performance is perhaps more thoughtful than you'd expect, but the real skill is his fight scenes which he handles well. Of the rest of the cast Powers Booth and Tzi Ma stand out.

A great little martial arts film. Not a fantastic story but the fight scenes are really well handled.

Brandon Lee, late son of legendary martial arts king Bruce Lee is Jake Lo, a college student fighting for his life against the forces of good and evil! The last thing Jake for was trouble. So trouble found him. After witnessing a bloody gangland murder he finds himself on the run and caught in the blazing crossfire between the Chicago police force and mafia butchers. With an inferno of terror all around him Jake has only one chance of survival- to fight back with the only weapon he has left.... his lethal bare hands. Brandon Lee isn't the greatest of actors and this film doesn't have to much of a story line but if your looking for a film with excellent action scenes and thats a good watch then choose this. **** out of *****