This film I feel is an under the radar gem. This was Samo's first film he directed and was the main star. It's not quite one of my favorite Samo Hung films but it's close and I enjoy it all the same.
There really isn't much in plot line, which can be said about most marital arts movies; by it's nature it's really just a clothesline for the action and comedy in this film which is what we're all in this for.
I think what really makes this film stand out is that it's a tribute toward Bruce Lee. This was something that two other films did "The Last Dragon" and "No Retreat No Surrender" another under the radar gem. I really like that because it really shows how fondly remembered Bruce is and the fact we see Samo in action shows that his legacy lives on.
I love the fact that Samo's character as well as himself is a huge Bruce Lee fan which I find touching and enduring since I myself am. Heck his whole story line is sort of a tribute to one of Bruce's film's "Way of the Dragon" as that film was about the same thing on a country bumpkin coming to the city to help his family out of trouble. Even love the fact that his character has big dreams on becoming a marital arts star and making his own films like his idol, I can't help but feel there is a bit of truth in that as Samo had to struggle a long time to become a name which of course he did.
Samo impersonates/imitates Bruce a little which I felt he did a great job on he was really spot on on Bruce's mannerisms and little inflections. This isn't to insult Bruce but a way to help remember him and you can say show how strong his fandom for Bruce is. There is even one bit of music which is a remixed version of the theme of "Way of the Dragon" in one fight scene which was cool.
And of course the fight in this film are great. There are two battles in this film that stand out. From the final battle which has one of my favorite one on one fights, I really like the way it's conducted it sort of a tournament match like in the "Street Fighter" video game as we see Samo taking out one guy he then has to fight the other. The fights with each of the baddie opponents were cool as each of the opponents had a different fighting style and we see Samo has to utilize some strategy in the fights.
And of course the highlight of the film for me is the Bruce plotation film battle. It was just awesome seeing Samo just beat the crap out of the fake Bruce Lee whom of course turns out to be an egocentric jerk. He even beats the crap out of the whole production team whom were also jerks making the film. I couldn't help but cheer because that is something I sure a lot of Bruce Lee and marital arts/action fans have always thought of doing to those Bruce plotation films.
I really love what Samo's character say's to the fake Bruce after the fight which was great because what he say's is exactly how I feel about all of those crap fest Bruce plotation films that were always trying too hard to capitalize on Bruce's success but having no identity of it's own. Seeing Samo in the aftermath of that battle I thought yeah, Samo is the true action star he's the real deal we want to watch.
"Enter the Fat Dragon" is big fun.
Rating: 3 stars
