After Bruce Lee dies in the middle of filming “Game of Death”, auditions are held to find a body double so that the producers can finish the film.

CRITIQUE

Finishing the Game is a mockumentary that is vary-loosely based on the true story of the search for a body double for Bruce Lee, so that the film “Game of Death” could be finished; though that actually happened, none of the events in this film are true.  Instead, this is a sporadically-amusing comedy following the director and casting agent as they try to find a new Bruce Lee, and a bunch of wannabes in various stages of their careers who want the part.

The result is just sort of slight – it’s only about 75 minutes long, without the credits – and is generally uneven; for every funny part, there are a few that aren’t quite as solid.  Still, this manages to hang together fairly well; the audition process (which sort of resembles a reality show) gives the movie a central plotline to focus on, and the main characters are each given little bits of business to do, some of which work.

Director Justin Lin (Better Luck Tomorrow; The Fast And The Furious – Tokyo Drift) does a good job capturing the low-budget feel of ‘70s movies and TV shows, almost too well; the budget of this film wasn’t very large, which probably ultimately helped to a certain extent.  The cast of largely-unknowns is also game, while a few recognizable actors (Ron Jeremy, James Franco, MC Hammer) also wander through along the way.

Ultimately, this is around the level of some of the lesser Christopher Guest mockumentaries, like For Your Consideration; too often this is just sort-of-amusing rather than laugh-out-loud funny, and it’s not the kind of comedy that one is likely to watch again and again and again.  Still, there are things that work here, and fans of bad ‘70s martial arts movies may get a kick out of some of this.

THE VIDEO

Finishing the Game is presented in 16:9 widescreen.  The picture quality is supposed to look somewhat cheesy, and does, for better or worse.

THE AUDIO

Finishing the Game is presented in English stereo.  Dialogue, music and sound effects come through pretty clear.  There are English and Spanish subtitles.

THE EXTRAS

There is a Commentary featuring Justin Lin, co-writer Josh Diamond and composer Bryan Tyler.  It’s chatty and amiable, and they talks about the challenges of shooting with a fairly low budget.

There are 17 minutes of Deleted Scenes, with optional commentary, that mostly focus on some excised subplots (a serial killer, a Bruce Lee impersonator in Mexico) that weren’t very funny.

On Set Mayhem is a 9-minute piece featuring behind-the-scenes footage, some of the actors talking about their parts, and some last-minute scrambling to find nude actresses.

There’s also a Music Video, “Satisfaction”, by Far*East Movement; it’s a sort-of-catchy Asian rap shot in a ‘70s style.

FINAL THOUGHT