Today I was digging through my old Blu-rays when Enter the Dragon caught my eye. Found myself wondering why Kareem’s scenes hit so different compared to modern action stuff. Grabbed my notebook and settled in for a rewatch with my cold brew.
First Impressions & Picking Moments
Started scanning the whole movie just taking rough notes. Had to pause like crazy whenever Kareem showed up – dude’s literally bending the screen frame when he walks into a room. Wrote down every scene where he opened his mouth or threw hands. Ended up with about 12 messy bullet points.
The Real Work Begins
- Rewound the underground fight like five times – kept missing that split second where he rips the guy’s shirt before breaking bones.
- Stared at his dialogue scene with Bruce until my eyes crossed. The delivery is so… wooden? But weirdly intimidating? Couldn’t figure out why it worked.
- Nearly spat coffee when he just appears in that mirror hallway looking like a pissed-off skyscraper. Rewound. Rewatched. Rewound again.
Thing about Kareem – he moves completely different from anyone else in this flick. Not graceful like Bruce, more like a wrecking ball playing chess. Took three passes through the bamboo section before I noticed how Bruce shoots him from low angles every. single. time. Makes him look like a building coming at you.
Connecting the Dots
After watching these scenes separately, I started mapping themes. Bruce wasn’t just using Kareem’s height – he weaponized the man’s vibe. No quick cuts in his fights, just long takes showing that terrifying wingspan. And that bizarre line delivery? Suddenly clicked – he sounds like a bored king sentencing peasants.
Breakthrough Moment
When I realized the final rumble isn’t about Bruce overcoming Williams. It’s about Bruce surviving Williams. Camera stays low, Kareem fills the frame like some unstoppable force. Bruce is dodging, not dominating. Mind blown.
By the time I finished scribbling about the symbolism (oppression vs freedom, colonial shit, athletes as warriors), my notebook looked like a crime scene. Threw my thoughts together while everything was fresh – had to capture how this giant man does more acting with his pinky finger than most dudes do screaming.
Still can’t believe they gave him like 8 total minutes of screen time. Shows what happens when you cast actual greatness instead of CGI.