Rapid Fire, released in theaters on August 21, 1992, is a fast-paced action film that served as a fantastic vehicle for the martial arts talents of its star, Brandon Lee.
The film follows Jake Lo (Lee), a sensitive art student who is haunted by the memory of his father’s death. He witnesses a mob killing at a Chinese restaurant and finds himself in the middle of a conflict between two rival crime organizations. This forces him into hiding, but he soon becomes a central witness in a major case.
Jake is taken into protective custody by a no-nonsense Chicago police detective, Lieutenant Mace Ryan (Powers Boothe). The two are forced to team up, with Ryan protecting Jake from mobster Antonio Serrano (Nick Mancuso).
Jake’s martial arts skills prove to be invaluable in protecting himself and those around him.
The film also features a solid supporting cast including Raymond J. Barry, Kate Hodge, Michael Paul Chan, Basil Wallace, and Tony Longo.
The film’s strength lies in Lee’s incredible physical abilities and his natural charisma and he is a magnetic presence on screen, and his fight choreography is both fluid and explosive. The action sequences are well-staged and exhilarating, a true highlight of the film.
Boothe provides a solid, cynical counterpoint to Lee’s youthful energy, and their on-screen chemistry is a major part of the film’s appeal.
Rapid Fire‘s plot is straightforward but it works as a frame for the thrilling action.
The film was directed by Dwight H. Little, who’d previously helmed Marked for Death starring Steven Seagal and Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers.
Brandon Lee in Rapid Fire (Photo/20th Century Fox)
Reception for Rapid Fire
Rapid Fire grossed $4.8 million on its opening weekend, finishing third at the box office, trailing Unforgiven ($7.7 million) and Single White Female ($6.4 million).
The film would gross $14.4 million in its theatrical run.
Legacy
Rapid Fire proved that Lee was a talented actor and a bona fide action star in his own right outside of the shoadow of his famous father Bruce Lee, destined for even greater things.
While it was not a massive commercial success, it has become a cult classic over the years and its enduring appeal is its high-octane action sequences and the tragic but brilliant legacy of its lead actor, who would tragically die during the filming of his next movie, The Crow.
