The direct-to-video – Batman: Soul of the Dragon – might have more to do with Bruce Wayne than Batman
Before billionaire and playboy Bruce Wayne, whose alter ego ‘Batman’ became the ferocious defender of Gotham City, he was just a privileged man.
Though Batman established himself (time and again) as a terrifying vigilante but before he achieved this status, he was just Bruce Wayne, the billionaire heir who struggles to find inner peace.
In
Batman: Soul of the Dragon, we’re introduced to one of his mentors who also doubled as a friend. He hung out with him while under his tutelage.
‘Batman: Soul of the Dragon’ Bruce Lee and Bruce Wayne
Despite its title, “Batman: Soul of the Dragon” is not a typical Batman movie. In fact, it’s not a Batman movie at all it’s a loving tribute to the Bruce Lee films of the 1970s. The movie takes clear inspirations from Bruce Lee’s filmography, primarily “Enter the Dragon”
(1973). The film stands out from the crowd of other direct-to-DVD DC animated movies thanks to its unique setting and excellent fight sequences.
Set in the 1970s, the film focuses on four of the greatest martial artists in the DC universe as they fight the evil Cobra Cult. Batman may get top billing, but the real star of the show is Richard Dragon, voiced by Mark Dacascos. While Richard Dragon is an actual character in DC comic books, his design in “Soul of the Dragon” takes after the legendary Bruce Lee. Everything from his appearance to his fighting style resemble that of Bruce Lee; he even uses Lee’s famous one-inch punch.
Batman: Soul of the Dragon Review: A Bruce Lee & James Bond Inspired 70s DC Adventure
Batman: Soul of the Dragon Review: A Bruce Lee & James Bond Inspired 70s DC Adventure
Richard Dragon recruits Bruce Wayne to stop the evil Kobra cult in the seventies retro DC animated film, Batman: Soul of the Dragon.
The Dark Knight returns in a groovy, karate chopping, seventies retro animated adventure.
Batman: Soul of the Dragon is an original story that mixes Bruce Lee inspired action with a James Bond storyline. The Caped Crusader is actually a supporting character to the ass-kicking Richard Dragon (Mark Dacascos). Bruce Wayne s (David Giuntoli) origin story is updated with a Japanese master and cohort of allies. The plot runs thin at times, but the film offers a fun and interesting new take on the beloved superhero.