Pusan

The Legend Is Alive

 (Vietnam)

By RUSSELL EDWARDS

A Vietnam Media Corp. presentation of a Sai Gon Media Movies, Phuoc Sang Entertainment, Wonderboy Entertainment production. (International sales: Vietnam Media, Saigon.) Produced by Irene Trinh, Luu Huynh. Executive producers, Luu Phouc Sang, Truong Ngoc Anh, Ken Tran, Nguyen Van Tuan. Directed, written by Luu Huynh.
 
With: Dustin Tri Nguyen, Xuan Kim, Thien Thu, Thai Hoa, Siu Black, Donh Y. Nhung.
 

A Forrest Gump-like martial artist proves Bruce Lee is still the daddy of them all in Vietnamese chopsocky "The Legend Is Alive." Pic will test the patience of its target auds by making them wait 50 minutes for any real action, but once under way, the yarn is enjoyable enough. "Legend" generated local acclaim on its January release, including several awards, and has kicked around the fest circuit.

Raised by his now-deceased martial-artist stepmom to believe Lee is his father, mentally challenged Long (Dustin Tri Nguyen, "21 Jump Street") wants to take her ashes to America. En route, he meets teenage runaway Trinh (Thien Thu) and gets caught up with gangsters. Perfs are average, but decent stuntwork and editing enhance Nguyen's competent fighting skills. Sophisticated helming by Luu Huynh ("The White Silk Dress") is well above average for the genre, but his script withholds action far too long; an early scene in which Long is duped by two scammers misses an opportunity to whet the audience's appetite,and the pic could use a hefty trim in its first hour. Technical package is pro.

Camera (color, widescreen), K'Linh Nguyen; editor, Tobias Kavelar, Duc Tung Vu; music, Duc Tri Nguyen; art director, Thuong Han Le. Reviewed at Pusan Film Festival (market), Oct. 16, 2009. Original title: Huyen thoai bat tu. Vietnamese, English dialogue. Running time: 100 MIN.