Why I Am A HUGE Bruce Lee Fan!

by Tracey Ricks Foster
(New Tampa, FL USA)

I am not what some would consider a kung fu movie watching person. First of all, I am a girl...er...woman. Second, I have no desire to learn kung fu or karate. And third, I hate all forms of violence. Yet...I LOVE a good Bruce Lee film. Why? Perhaps it is because of the intelligence and humanity that Bruce Lee put into each frame of film that he performed on. Kung Fu or karate movies are notorious for empty and recycled plots such as the old stand by, 'You KILLED my teacher! You'll DIE!' sort of thing. LOL! How many times has that story line played out! But when Bruce Lee goes about the act of plotting his actual revenge, it is amazing to actually watch the movie take off and reach its'zenith...the ultimate climax that good sex just can not compare to!

Bruce Lee was not just another Kung Fu star. Bruce Lee brought finesse, symmetry, cultural relevance, and style to the art form of karate and Kung Fu. He even went as far as developing his very own distinctive brand of Kung Fu. That in my opinion, is near genius! Bruce even went as far as teaching his creative style of Kung Fu against the wishes of his Kung Fu elders. Bruce Lee was dedicated to his craft so much so that even his very own body became a walking billboard to the art of Kung Fu. Even today, in the world of body-building and weight-training development, Bruce Lee's physique is held as an outstanding model of how to condition ones body.

However, when Bruce Lee is up on the screen fighting, the sheer emotion that he exhibits is powerful. As a trained actress myself, I know full well the effort that it takes to become a character and adopt that personality. But Bruce Lee took it way beyond that. Bruce was able to channel the art of acting and Kung Fu and merge them together to create a an on-screen performance that is disciplined and enthralling! I love ALL of Bruce Lee's movies and his stint on "THE GREEN HORNET."

ENTER THE DRAGON is a personal fav because of the appearance of martial arts star Jim "The Dragon" Kelly. Jim is AMAZING!!! And he STILL is!!! sigh, smile.

Ughhh...I digress. Bruce Lee is my ALL TIME favorite and only favorite Kung Fu/martial arts performer. The only other movie that I absolutely love that I'm sure Bruce would have gotten a 'kick' out of is CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. This particular movie is also a powerful shout out to all the female SUPA BAD martial artists.