Legacy of Rage: Deluxe Limited Edition – 88 Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1986
Director: Ronny Yu
Writers: Clifton Ko, Raymond Fung
Cast: Brandon Lee, Michael Wong, Regina Kent, Mang Hoi, Bolo Yeung, Ng Man-tat, Shing Fui-On

Release Date: September 23rd, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 87 Minutes 41 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 18 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Cantonese, LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £19.99 (UK)

"Hardworking Brandon Ma (Lee) is loving life with his girlfriend May (Regina Kent) but his drug-dealing best friend Michael (Michael Wong) has sights on May and sets Brandon up for murder." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Brand new 2K Remaster from the Original Negatives."

Legacy of Rage comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 34.4 GB

Feature: 24.1 GB

The source looks excellent; flesh tones look healthy, colors look correct, image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 4.5/5 (LPCM Mono Cantonese), 4.25/5 (LPCM Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Cantonese and a LPCM mono mix in English. Both audio tracks sound great; dialog always comes through clearly, and everything sounds robust when it should. That said, I would give the edge to the Cantonese language track, which sounds slightly fuller. Included are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a stills gallery (22 images), Tai Seng trailer (1 minute 39 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), export theatrical trailer (3 minutes 53 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), Hong Kong theatrical trailer (3 minutes 40 seconds, LPCM mono Cantonese with removable English subtitles), English language opening and closing credits (4 minutes 13 seconds, LPCM mono), an archive Interview with director Ronny Yu (10 minutes 18 seconds, LPCM stereo Cantonese with removable English subtitles), Phat Samurai Ronny Yu interview (6 minutes 32 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), a Brandon Lee memorabilia featurette titled Hector Martinez Presents the World of Brandon Lee (12 minutes 28 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with  Frank Djeng and Ronny Yu, reversible cover art, A3 poster, a rigid slipcase, and a 28-page booklet with an essay titled Shadow of the Dragon Brandon Lee and the Burden of Legacy written by David West, an essay titled Legacy of Bruceploitation Brandon Lee & the Hong Kong Connection written by Paul Bramhall, and archival images.

Summary:

Ronny Yu directed Legacy of Rage. He is also known for The Postman Fights Back, The Bride with White Hair, and The Phantom Lover.

Needing a fall guy for a murder, a gangster sets up a man so he can move in with his girlfriend.

John Woo's A Better Tomorrow received release during the production of Legacy of Rage, giving Hong Kong action cinema a much-needed boost. Though there are a few graphic moments in Legacy of Rage, it's more in line with Hong Kong action cinema that came before Heroic Bloodshed films. That said, if there is one area where Legacy of Rage feels like a Heroic Bloodshed film, that would be its Hellfire of Bullets finale.

It is fitting that Brandon Lee’s first starring role has the word 'legacy’ in its title. From the moment he decided to act, there was no way he could avoid the large shadow that looms over his father Bruce Lee’s legacy. There are many ways in which Brandon's career mirrored his father. In Hong Kong they found initial success, and both died tragically before the release of the films that made them worldwide stars.

The character that Brandon Lee portrays in Legacy of Rage is tailored made for him. Also named Brandon, he’s a down-to-earth, hardworking man whose girlfriend is the thing he most cherishes. Though he delivers a psychically commanding performance, when it comes to the more dramatic moments, they are not as strong. That said, some of this is likely due to dubbing.

There are two action sequences that really showcase Brandon Lee’s martial arts prowess. In the first of these sequences, Brandon helps a missing girl reunite with her family by outrunning a bus. The other is a sequence that takes place in an alley, and it is reminiscent of a moment from his father's film The Way of the Dragon. These are two memorable sequences, albeit for different reasons. The first is an outlandish sequence that shows Brandon’s athleticism; in the other of these two sequences, it is cool to see him channel the spirit of his father.

The supporting cast is solid around Brandon Lee, who is the main attraction of Legacy of Rage. Notable performances include Michael Wong (Royal Warriors) in the role of a ruthless crime boss's son, Shing Fui-On (The Blue Jean Monster), who portrays the crime boss's son’s main enforcer, and Regina Kent (A Better Tomorrow II), who portrays Brandon’s girlfriend May. Bolo Yeung, who previously fought Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon Squares off against Brandon in Legacy of Rage, delivers a memorable cameo.

After the death of Bruce Lee, there were an influx of films and actors trying to mimic him which became known as Brucesploitation. And though there are many elements in Legacy of Rage that scream Bruceploitation, notably when it came to its advertising campaign. In the case of Legacy of Rage and Brandon Lee’s performance, it is more of an homage than Bruceploitation.

From a production standpoint, Legacy of Rage is a film that surpasses the sum of its parts. Though Legacy of Rage covers familiar ground, the result is a well-executed narrative that does a superb job building momentum. The action sequences do not disappoint, Ronny Yu’s direction is solid, and there is a good balance of action and exposition. In the hands of another actor, Legacy of Rage would be an average Hong Kong action film; ultimately, it is Brandon Lee’s performance that takes this film to another level.

Legacy of Rage gets a definitive release from 88 Films, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer