Common Sense Media Review
By Charles Cassady Jr.
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Legendary Bruce Lee film has violence, nudity, and sexism.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Enter the Dragon
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 19 kid reviews
Kids say the movie features intense martial arts action and showcases Bruce Lee's impressive athleticism, but it includes significant violence, sexual content, and mature themes. Many reviews suggest that while it's a classic and entertaining for older teens, the graphic scenes make it unsuitable for younger viewers.
- martial arts action
- violent scenes
- adult themes
- suitable for teens
- Bruce Lee fan favorite
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
ENTER THE DRAGON was a breakthrough as a joint U.S.-Hong Kong big-budget martial arts extravaganza (filmed in English). And its reputation was only enhanced by the sudden death of star Bruce Lee immediately before its release. He plays Lee, a peerless master/teacher of personal combat at a Shaolin Temple who's approached by an international crime-busting agency to help bring down an elusive crime lord called Han (Kien Shih), a Shaolin disciple gone bad. Han runs his drug and human trafficking empire from a private island stronghold where guns are forbidden; instead, he recruits world-class martial artists as his guards and enforcers. Lee goes to the island on the pretext of competing in Han's tournaments, but in fact he's there to make contact with an undercover agent. It's all an excuse for the fight scenes at which Lee and the movie's other actor-athletes excel.
Is It Any Good?
The plot reads like a James Bond knockoff (except Lee isn't allowed to show any interest in romance), and character development is slight at best. But Lee's wiry physique, strong presence, and explosive fighting skills have ensured ENTER THE DRAGON a solid place in the hearts of action fans of all ages, and Lee's long, final duel with Han is iconic.
Even with its schlocky elements that recall a mix of Shaw Brothers productions and blaxploitation, there's something so straightforward about how Enter the Dragon delivers the goods that it readily earned respect from critics around the globe, even those who previously wrote off martial arts movies as low-hanging genre flicks. Sadly, we'll never know the full extent of what Lee's body of work could have become, had he survived past Enter the Dragon to make more, perhaps even better, movies.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the appeal of Lee's films, including Enter the Dragon. What makes him special among the big screen's action heroes?
How are women portrayed in this movie? Did you notice any stereotypes?
What are some of the ways martial arts movies have evolved since Enter the Dragon was released? What elements of this movie make it a classic?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 19, 1973
- On DVD or streaming : May 18, 2004
- Cast : Bruce Lee , Jim Kelly , John Saxon
- Director : Robert Clouse
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Home Video
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 98 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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