Tower of Death (1981)
Tower of Death (1981)
“Tower of Death,” also known as Game of Death II, is a martial arts film that tries to ride the legacy of Bruce Lee following his untimely death. Directed by Ng See-Yuen, the movie uses outtakes, stand-ins, and archival footage to bring Bruce Lee’s character back to life—though the results are mixed.
The story follows Billy Lo (Bruce Lee’s character), who investigates the mysterious death of his brother and stumbles into a world of criminal intrigue and underground martial arts. The movie is framed as a sequel to Game of Death, but it takes a sharp detour into fantasy territory, including hidden temples, deadly traps, and a mysterious “tower” filled with bizarre opponents.
The action sequences are solid, especially thanks to Yuen Biao and Hwang Jang-lee, who shine in their fight scenes. However, the real Bruce Lee only appears in a few reused shots, with most of the film relying on lookalikes and editing tricks. While this may disappoint fans expecting an authentic Lee performance, the film delivers on classic kung fu thrills.
“Tower of Death” is best enjoyed as a nostalgic, energetic martial arts adventure rather than a true Bruce Lee film. It’s campy, a little bizarre, and full of ‘80s kung fu flair. For fans of old-school martial arts flicks, it’s still worth the climb.
