Customer Reviews

Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This soundtrack is hands down one of my favorites of all time. The theme that is echoed beginning in the track "Bruce and Linda" that reoccurs throughout the soundtrack until it's finale in "The Dragon's Heartbeat" was one of the most of used themes for a couple years after its release. The theme could be heard after the superbowl, and during previews of other movies such as The Truman Show. Edelman has a knack for using such memorable and captivating themes in several different ways. Although this can seem somewhat redundant at times, the theme is so captivating that the listener wants to hear it that much more. Edelman did the same with The Last Of the Mohicans. I definitely think this cd is worth the listen. I've owned it for two years now and still enjoy listening to it often.

It wouldn't be an overstatement to say that Randy Edelman's grand music for Dragon saved this film from becoming just another hokey TV bio-pic movie of the week. The approach the director had in mind with this score was to rise above stereotypes by not giving the characters of Bruce and Linda Lee an obviously oriental-sounding theme; the sweeping theme is about an American hero who rises from humble beginnings to become a world-class legend. The music has therefore been recycled numerous time in movie trailers throughout the 90s since it's not limited to this setting. Is it worth buying the album to hear this one theme? In short, yes. The Legend theme is introduced as a tender solo piano melody in "Bruce and Linda" and is recast in full symphonic/synthesizer treatment in "The Premier of The Big Boss" and "The Dragon's Heartbeat," but there is more to make this one worth owing. "The Challenge Fight Warm-up" is used in the Japanese "Ironchef" TV program which has attained cult status in the U.S. "Sailing on the South China Seas" uses a motif of the main theme in a sythesizer orchetral treatment. "The Tao of Jeet Kune Do" introduces a new and subtle solo piano theme which passes along to the main theme. "First Date" is a jazzy nightclub piano number which shimmers with sythesized bell-like effects. Unfortunately the last track,"The Hong Kong Cha-Cha" is annoying even as it turns Hollywood's traditionally stereotypical treatment of all things Chinese on its head.

This movie soundtrack is so wonderful. Forget Forrest Gump! The music stands well on it's own. Hong kong Cha Cha was my personal favorite! I can see the sequence from the movie in my mind! Brandon is a haunting one to listen too... But the whole album is a masterpiece... I find it hard to choose one song off the CD...

Randy Edelman does it again with this Bruce Lee movie. An all around great score with trademark Edelman sounds, his usual combination of orchestra and synths, with an eastern feel to it. There are 2 themes that occur in the score, along with other thematic material. The first is the main theme heard in "Dragon Theme/A Father's Nightmare", "The Premiere of the Big Boss", and "The Dragon's Heartbeat". It is a 5 note orchestral theme played with confidence and assurance. The other theme or the love theme and the far better one is heard in "Bruce and Linda", "Victory at Ed Parker's", "The Premiere of the Big Boss", and the best track "The Dragon's Heartbeat". This theme has been used in many TV ads for sporting events and figure skaters have skated to it successfully. Other thematic material occurs throughout such as in "Yip Man's Kwoon", "Sailing on the South China Sea", and "Brandon" (the only track that contains my name that i'm aware of), among others. The end of "Yip Man's Kwoon" and "Chopsaki" are 2 of those martial arts cues with sixteenth note xylophone rhythms and percussion. Overall, a great score that would make Bruce Lee proud and Edelman fans as well.

Emotional, powerful, and moving music. It fit the movie well. Quite repetitive with the main theme, though. I like Track 4 (Bruce and Linda) and Track 15 (The Dragon's Heartbeat)

Whether you are a fan of the movie 'Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story' or not, you owe it to yourself to listen to this amazing score by Randy Edelman. The one word that comes to mind while listening to this is INSPIRATIONAL. For the past decade+ I have rarely heard a score that made me just feel like I could conquer the world. Edelman accomplishes the rare feat of taking a scene from the film, knowing what the director was looking to accomplish, and coming through in the clutch without no equal.

You know a score is an instant classic when the source material is used for other films' trailers, tv promos, etc, and I have heard the music from this movie time and again ever since listening to this album for the first time back in the early 90s.

If you love musical scores and/or Randy Edelman's work, you owe it to yourself to pick up this soundtrack whether you have any interest in Bruce Lee, martial arts, etc. This is one of those rare albums where most likely 99% of the audience is going to enjoy the final product, and it's one of the rare items that gets a HPR from me.

***** HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION

I bought this soundtrack because it contains the music that played during the first promos of NBC's American Dreams. The music also plays during the Harry Potter movie preview on the TV Guide channel. The music is recurrent throughout many tracks of the CD. It is absolutely excellent, relaxing, soft and smooth to listen to.

The movie Dragon has an oriental touch (Logical since its about Bruce Lee). So expect oriental music, mixed with orchestral touches. Randy Edelman did a good job and the main theme is especially powerful. So catching that its used in trailers for many other filmtitles, like Forrest Gump. The downside is that its to repetive. Most of the themes are repeated in the every song. Although I really like track number 6.

Ever since I saw a young Canadian man skate to this music during a Winter Olympics, I have not been able to get it out of my mind, and I hear it now and then as a theme behind various trailers for films still. Together with the score from "Rudy", "Dragon" is one of the most beautiful movie scores to come alone in a long while.
I listen to this CD nearly every morning while taking my daily walks, and I have performed Tai Chi routines to it for 500 people or more and have had overwhelmingly positive feedback which I feel is due to the beauty of this music.
If you're looking for an inspirational, upbeat, 'feel good' CD, I highly recommend this one.

By now most of you have heard the music from Dragon on various TV commercials. Even though it's been used too much, that's still no reason to not pick this CD up. Randy Edelman has created a score that suits the movie perfectly. Perhaps his best work to date (much better than his compositions for The Last of the Mohicans where he was outshined by Trevor Jones). If you loved the film, buy the soundtrack!