”Rapid Fire” at least takes the bull by the horns.
Directed by Dwight H. Little from a screenplay by Alan McElroy (the team responsible for ”Halloween IV”), this lively though not excessively brilliant action film features Brandon Lee, the American-raised son of the late, nearly legendary Chinese martial arts star Bruce Lee.
Brandon plays Jake Lo, the American-raised son of a late, nearly legendary Chinese political activist. Dad-an American agent who died during the Tiananmen Square uprising, crushed under the treads of a tank while young Jake looked on helplessly-casts a very long shadow.
And so, of course, does Bruce Lee, whose steely demeanor and dazzling athleticism made a worldwide phenomenon out of an obscure Hong Kong subgenre, the kung fu movie.
At this point, Brandon does not seem to possess Bruce`s extraordinary gracefulness, speed and intensity of focus, though with the considerable help of director Little`s resourceful and highly synthetic editing style, he creates an acceptable impression.
True connoisseurs, however, accept for their fight sequences only unbroken, untrifled-with long takes, which alone can guarantee the
authenticity of every leap, bound and flying scissors kick.
Brandon`s main strength is not his iron resolve, but his square-jawed good looks, which could easily land him a regular slot on ”Beverly Hills 90210” if that show ever decides to feature jump-back spin kicks and extensive machine gun fire.
In ”Rapid Fire,” Lee`s character deals with the specter of his father by rejecting the heroic idealism for which he stood.
An art student, Jake would rather sketch nude models and ride his motorcycle than get involved with the political crusades he believes responsible for his father`s death (mom is never mentioned).
But then, he finds himself looking on as a Mafia boss (a very corny Nick Mancuso) executes an Asian rival in the heroin trade. Against his will, Jake becomes a key witness in a case being built by hardboiled Chicago police detective Mace Ryan (Powers Boothe), who dreams of putting away the trade`s Thailand-based Mr. Big, Kinman Tau (Tzi Ma, the film`s most adept performer). In between titanic shoot-outs involving Mafia functionaries, imported Asian hit men and FBI agents on the take, Jake woos policewoman Karla Withers (Kate Hodge) and works out his father thing with Mace, who volunteers himself as a shy, stammering but ulimately affectionate surrogate dad.
Lee, unfortunately, is no exception to the current run of highly narcissistic action heroes. Like Steven Seagal, whom Little directed in
”Marked for Death,” Lee projects an impenetrable self-involvement that suggests hours passed in front of bathroom mirrors, carefully composing each spit curl.
Much more than heroic idealism, it is arrogance that appeals to today`s teenage action audience-as a display of a perfect, unassailable personal power, over male rivals and, particularly, female conquests. During the love scenes, Little`s camera lingers over Lee`s body, interesting itself in Hodge only to register her worshipful glance and submissive posture.
”RAPID FIRE” (STAR)(STAR)
Directed by Dwight H. Little; written by Alan McElroy; photographed by Ric Waite; production designed by Ron Foreman; edited by Gib Jaffe; music by Christopher Young; produced by Robert Lawrence. A Twentieth Century Fox release; opens Aug. 21 at the Burnham Plaza, Chestnut Station, Webster Place and outlying theaters. Running time: 1:35. MPAA rating: R. Violence, strong language, adult situations, brief nudity.
THE CAST
Jake Lo………………………………………………….Brandon Lee
Mace Ryan………………………………………………Powers Boothe
Antonio Serrano………………………………………….Nick Mancuso
Agent Stuart…………………………………………Raymond J. Barry
Karla Withers……………………………………………..Kate Hodge
