Ever wonder what Al Bundy and the Asian guy from the Black Eyed Peas might have to say about Bruce Lee? You’ll find out in the all-new Spike TV produced (I’ve been informed this was NOT produced by Spike TV) feature documentary, ‘I Am Bruce Lee’. The trailer is cut together using only three elements: footage from Lee’s films, footage from a single Lee interview, and talking head interviews provided by celebrities/experts/athletes, some of whom occasionally perform karate moves during their interviews. I can’t say I’m the biggest Bruce Lee fan myself, so maybe I’m not the right person to judge, but this trailer felt pretty uninspired. The film looks like an attempt at mixing Senna with Not Quite Hollywood, but the scope seems fairly limited and the content fairly shallow. Let’s face it, this trailer is completely void of any sort of interesting insight or observations beyond some lifeless soundbites. Here’s one of my favourite quotes from the aforementioned Black Eyed Peas guy: “That’s the vibe that Bruce Lee taught me…is to always bring it.” Interesting. Some other great lines:
“He was like the Elvis of marshal arts.”
“The moves that he could do…when you were wondering if they would speed up the camera.”
“That’s some cool stuff right there.”
To be fair, it’s only natural for the trailer to force in as many celebrity faces saying as many uninspired, cliched things as possible. So here’s hoping the actual film isn’t as dumb or claustrophobic as this clip makes it out to be. ‘I Am Bruce Lee’ hits select theatres on February 9th and 15th only. For more information on where you can see it, visit the film’s official website.
While the subject of Bruce Lee is definitely interesting, this movie looks like crap – not that I expect any less from Spike TV. Two thumbs way down.
On a similar note, I liked the Rolling Stones doc, Stones in Exile but the celebrity talking heads that bookend the film are totally unnecessary and brought it down a few notches. Why should I care what Will i Am and some dude from Kings of Leon have to say about the recording of Exile on Main Street?
Bruce Lee is a very interesting subject in terms of his personality and his influence but who cares what some pop star has to say. Where is the relevance? I can understand Manny Pacquiao, Ray Mancini or Jon Jones having something to say as they are all world class fighters but really who gives a toss about some skateboarder or pop star spouting inane soundbites.
Not always a good idea to write about things you are completely in the dark on. Just the obvious, it is martial arts, not marshal arts, Bruce was a practitioner of Gung Fu, a Chinese art, not Karate, a Japanese art. Not surprising you are not a fan. We approach 30 years since his death, and he still inspires many, many martial artists every day. I live in Seattle and have been to his grave site many times, on any given day there is a steady stream of visitors coming to pay tribute. Hard to name anyone who wasn’t a politician still packin’ em in 30 years later. I have been fortunate to train with the people he trained with here, his legacy lives on, and regardless of who the “stars” are that are chiming in, a lot of people will see the film just to catch pieces of who he is.
Sorry blogger but your preliminary review is a dud. To your own admission you are not a fan but as the previous comment states, you showed just how uneducated you are on the subject by mistaking Bruce Lee moves for karate & by misspelling martial arts.
I caught the documentary on Spike the other day and it was great. The interviews with Hollywood stars were a big part of it because Bruce Lee personally instructed Hollywood stars his methods. There is a lot of footage in the film of Bruce back in the day passing on his practices to actors and athletes. In fact, there is an entire chapter called ‘Teaching Hollywood.’
The woman who says Bruce Lee “put balls on Chinese men,” is his niece and was very insightful. In that sentence alone she sums up how her uncle added masculinity to a group of men that were previously dismissed & perceived as weak.
Obviously we all know who Spike TV’s demographic is and this trailer was obviously cut to specifically peak their interest. I bet though, even you blogger would enjoy the film because it is very insightful. Interviews with his wife, daughter & other relatives help in understanding the man and the footage used along with the comments from Hollywood stars & athletes show his impact on today’s pop culture.
And by the way, Ed O’Neill (or simply Al Bundy as you know him) is a black belt in jiu-jitsu. So it’s not like they just grabbed him for no reason, he is a martial artist.