[Introduction]
For movie lovers, Federico Fellini’s 1963 Italian masterpiece "8½," or "Otto e Mezzo," remains one of the greatest films ever made and an undisputed landmark in visual storytelling. Meanwhile, in the compact Asian metropolis of Hong Kong, another cinematic legend left behind his own "4½" classics—films that became towering achievements in both filmmaking and martial arts. At their summit stands a man who never stopped climbing, whose life was even more extraordinary than the movies themselves: Bruce Lee.
[Death Is Also Rebirth: A Brief Look at the Character]
Bruce Lee passed away in 1973, leaving behind four and a half classic films that continue to be revered by moviegoers and martial arts fans around the world. That unfinished half-film became both a fighting manual for its era and one of the most controversial entries in his legacy: "Game of Death." The story follows Billy Lo, a martial arts movie superstar who becomes a target after refusing to cooperate with an international crime syndicate. When the people closest to him are also placed in danger, Billy is forced to take a desperate gamble. Then, at the height of his career, news suddenly breaks of his death. While the public mourns the apparent loss of a superstar, Billy disappears from view and begins planning his counterattack against the criminal organization—putting his life on the line in his own "Game of Death."
[Product Review]
INART, the rising action figure maker behind the previously reviewed 1/12 Batman: The Devastator, returns with another highly anticipated release: a 1/12 Bruce Lee action figure based on Billy Lo’s iconic appearance in "Game of Death." Since Bruce Lee played the character, we’ll simply refer to the figure as Bruce Lee from here on. As expected, INART has recreated the legendary movie costume to an exceptionally high standard. The instantly recognizable bright yellow jumpsuit features black stripes and is paired with matching black-striped sneakers—a look that showcased Lee’s remarkably forward-thinking sense of 1970s style. From the fabric color and tailoring to the body proportions and footwear, INART’s development team has meticulously recreated every element at 1/12 scale. The costume is fitted over a newly developed, highly articulated compact body engineered specifically to capture Bruce Lee’s physique. Most impressively, the close-fitting outfit still reveals the figure’s finely sculpted muscle definition and anatomical contours. The fabric offers excellent stretch, maintaining a snug fit even in deep, wide-ranging poses. Articulation is outstanding, and the body can reproduce virtually any movement the human form is capable of. That alone would be enough, but INART has also hidden a clever surprise beneath the non-removable jumpsuit: an additional joint in each lower leg. These joints allow kicking poses to look more natural while emphasizing Lee’s flexibility and unmistakable physical lines. If you have already ordered the figure, this is a feature you will definitely want to test for yourself. Two head sculpts are included, offering a neutral expression and a focused combat expression. Naturally, the likeness is a major concern for both collectors and Bruce Lee fans. As a longtime Lee enthusiast, I examined the head sculpts under magnification and compared them with reference books. Even at this compact scale, INART has preserved the texture of Lee’s skin and subtle details many collectors might overlook, including the faint scar on his right cheek. During my discussion with the development team about the project, they explained the extensive research required to reproduce Lee’s facial features, body proportions, and the subtle changes in his muscle mass and body fat across different periods of his career. "Game of Death" was assembled from the limited footage Lee completed himself and additional scenes filmed later with several doubles. The movie was not released until years after his death, and much of the surviving reference material was fragmented or incomplete. Relying solely on movie stills would not have delivered the accuracy the team demanded. Throughout development, they consulted a vast collection of books, photographs, and video references, repeatedly testing and revising the figure from its earliest stages through final production. Their goal was to deliver the most authentic likeness and the highest possible quality for collectors. The finished figure clearly reflects both the team’s respect for Bruce Lee and its uncompromising attention to detail.
The set includes:
1. Two highly realistic head sculpts with different expressions;
Multiple pairs of specially designed interchangeable hands. Of particular note, the sculpting clearly defines the individual knuckles and finger structure when the hands are clenched into fists;
2. One pair of nunchaku and one green bamboo whip, based on the weapons used during the fight with Dan Inosanto in the Temple of the Tiger;
3. One multi-jointed display arm and base;
4. One accessory storage bag.
[Conclusion: Until the 1/6 Version Arrives, This Is the Best 1/12 Bruce Lee Figure]
This release maintains the consistently high quality and accessible pricing of INART’s 1/12 line. Countless manufacturers have produced Bruce Lee action figures in a variety of scales over the years, but setting the upcoming 1/6 version aside, INART’s Bruce Lee is easily one of the finest options in the 1/12 category. If you can own only one Bruce Lee action figure at this scale, this should be it. The reason is simple: even without so-called 3D facial printing that can leave features looking muddy or covered in visible print patterns, this figure can match anything competing brands have achieved—and accomplish what many of them cannot.
Wait too long, and you may regret missing it.
As Bruce Lee once said:
“If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.”
See you next time.
