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The Plot: The Last Dragon begins with Leroy Green (Taimak Guarriello) aka Bruce Leroy working out in his masters martial arts studio. As the master looks on, Leroy avoids arrows being shot at him by his master during his workout. It’s here his master tells him that he’s reached the ‘final level’ and it’s time for him to leave the training studio in order to find his ‘one true’ master and the ‘The Glow”. The master then points Leroy in the direction of New York city and tells him his search should begin there. Leroy packs his things and heads to the big city, where his family happens to live. Here we find out that Leroy’s Father runs a successful pizza restaurant and his little brother Richie (Leo O’Brien) is a street dancer in love with the films primary female lead, Laura Charles (Denise Matthews aka Vanity).
While searching for his ‘one true’ master on the streets, Leroy decides to catch a Bruce Lee movie at the local theater. As Leroy sits in the front row eating popcorn, with chop sticks no less, we’re introduced to Sho’nuff (Julius Carry) as he crashes the movie theater looking for a fight. Sho’nuff presents himself as the ‘Shogun of Harlem’ and pals around with 5 or 6 other thugs looking for trouble. Sho’nuff then spots Leroy and challenges him to a fight. This un-glues the rest of the theater and as Sho’nuff is fighting off all the movie-goers, Leroy quietly slips out of the theater.
On his way home, Leroy spots singer/video star Laura Charles leaving her studio. As she gets in her limousine, the two stare at each other as her car pulls away. Laura then realizes that her driver isn’t her own and she’s soon being forced to ride along to see crooked video game arcade mogul Eddie Arkadian (Chris Murney). Once pulled over (just down the street), the thugs rough Laura up but are quickly interrupted by Leroy, whom quickly lays waste to the men, Goju style. This scene then drives the remaining plot and storyline home when we find that Eddie Arkadian wants Laura to play his would-be video star girlfriends, video, on her popular show 7th Heaven. Naturally, Eddie will do anything to make that happen including getting Sho’nuff involved in order to get ‘Bruce’ Leroy Green out of the way.
The Takeaway: I first heard about The Last Dragon about a month ago while listening to one of my favorite weekly podcast, The Gentlemen’s Guide to Midnite Cinema. About a week later the DVD I ordered arrived in my mailbox and shortly thereafter found it’s way into my DVD player. My first viewing of The Last Dragon was just luke-warm and I initially didn’t find anything special about it. However, and after multiple viewings, I find the film to be much more than what it appears to be on the surface.
Direction, editing, pacing, set design and music design are on par with many of the other action films of the era. While the story works, it had been done to death by the time The Last Dragon was released. Naturally, and thanks to Hollywood and the ’80s (the decade of excess), the action film become the staple of the film industry and out of it poured dozens upon dozens of action films, some good, some bad and some real ugly. There are a couple of things in The Last Dragon that stick out like a sore thumb. Eddie Arkadian’s apartment looks downright amateurish and cheap in set design. Arlene Coffey’s costumes and wardrobe supervision is terrible. I’m referring to the way she dressed Sho’nuff and his thugs. Truth be told, if someone had walked into a theater looking like this (regardless of the era), I’d had laughed ’till I turned blue in the face. I doubt any serious gangster “ever” dressed like this. Next is the films music score, and considering who was behind the music supervision (Berry Gordy), it should have come out much better. I will however give props to the films main theme song “The Last Dragon”. The song was written by Norman Whitfield and Bruce Miller and was performed by Dwight David (it’s an awesome tune). My last nitpick is the films final fight scene between Leroy and Sho’nuff. While I enjoyed it immensely, it’s evident that Julius Carry had no martial arts experience what-so-ever as the scene feels forced. Taimak, however, was brilliant in the scene due to his martial arts experience. Had this not been the case, the scene would have failed miserably.
Performances from Taimak Guarriello (Leroy) and Denise Matthews (Laura) are both outstanding. The on-screen chemistry between these two performers are like fire-works. You have to consider where these two come from, from inside the film. Laura is from a fast-paced music/video world that doesn’t allow for anything other than her work. Leroy’s life has been spent in quiet solitude perfecting his martial arts craft. The only thing on Leroy’s mind is finding the master whose willing to take him to the final level. Until that is, he meets Laura. In retrospect, Vanity (Laura) did come from a fast-paced music/video background and Taimak was a real black belt in his martial arts profession. There are two other stand out performers in The Last Dragon . Leo O’Brien as Leroy’s little brother, Richie. This kid had some serious acting chops as he comes off street smart and doesn’t hesitate during any of his lines in front of the camera. Dare I say he steals a couple of scenes when in front of the camera along side Taimak. Lastly, there’s Julius Carry as Sho’nuff. Carry plays his Sho’nuff character way over the top (as intended by the script) and clearly commands every scene he’s in. He also manages to throw in one amazing one-liner after another.
Despite my nitpicks, The Last Dragon is a must own if you’re a fan of ’80s action films and or a fan of martial art films in general. I guarantee you’ll over-look the films weak points and enjoy it for what it is and for what it has become over the years, a cult classic.
Film Facts: The Last Dragon was directed by Michael Schultz, written by Louis Venosta and produced by Berry Gordy. The film was released on March 22, 1985 and was distributed by Tri-Star Pictures. The budget was said to have been $10,000,000 and box office receipts clocked in at nearly $26,000,000 making it a successful film financially. Michael Schultz was (and still is) a very successful TV director but as far as his films go, he seemed to be hit or miss. You may know a couple of his film credits, Car Wash (1976) and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978 – a terribly bad film IMHO). Louis Venosta doesn’t have a lot of writing credits and outside of The Last Dragon (which is his best, again IMHO) but you may recognize Bird on a Wire (1990) starring Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn. The big name attached to The Last Dragon is Berry Gordy, hence the films title “Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon”. If you’re unaware of who Berry Gordy is, lets just say that he’s possibly the biggest ‘heavy’ in the music industry, ever. Gordy founded Motown Records and went on to sign talents such as The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Gladys Knight & the Pips, The Commodores, Martha and the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder and The Jackson 5 to name a few.
Favorite Badass or Badass Moment: Sho’nuff, with Bruce Leroy coming in a very close second Favorite Boobs or Boobs in a Scene: Sorry kids, no boobs in this one Favorite Death Scene: Sorry kids, no deaths in this one
Boob Count: 0 pair Body Count: 0
IMDB Rating: 6.3 / 10 My Rating: 7.5 / 10
Final Thoughts: The Last Dragon has fast become one of my favorite ’80s action films and shouldn’t be missed by anyone who loves action or martial art films of the ’80s.
Bruce Leroy's Glow (@TheLastGlow) on April 5, 2012 at 10:27 am said: Mike, I don’t know how you made this far in life without watching The Last Dragon before now and you had to watch it 3 times before you appreciated it!?!?! C’MON MAN!!! ;) But really, it was a good review, glad you came to your senses and realized what a gem we’ve got here! Now you may be able to appreciate The Last Dragon Tribute Site: http://sites.google.com/site/lastdragontribute @TheLastGlow will be retweeting your review! Later, Cool Breeze… Reply
Mike, I don’t know how you made this far in life without watching The Last Dragon before now and you had to watch it 3 times before you appreciated it!?!?! C’MON MAN!!! ;) But really, it was a good review, glad you came to your senses and realized what a gem we’ve got here!
Now you may be able to appreciate The Last Dragon Tribute Site: http://sites.google.com/site/lastdragontribute
@TheLastGlow will be retweeting your review! Later, Cool Breeze…
Mike on April 5, 2012 at 1:23 pm said: I’ve seen 1000’s of films and have an extensive martial arts film library, yet I managed to miss this one. Sure glad I own it now. Thanks for the comment and the tweets. And oh, I’ve added your link to my blogroll. Reply
I’ve seen 1000’s of films and have an extensive martial arts film library, yet I managed to miss this one. Sure glad I own it now. Thanks for the comment and the tweets. And oh, I’ve added your link to my blogroll.
Bruce Leroy's Glow (@TheLastGlow) on April 5, 2012 at 2:56 pm said: Thanks Mike!! Reply
Thanks Mike!!
Brian on September 18, 2012 at 11:46 am said: One thing I never understood (among others) about this awesome movie is why Leroy’s 13-year-old brother thought he had some kind of legitimate shot with Laura. But the scene where he breakdances to get out of being tied up is classic. Reply Mike on September 18, 2012 at 11:50 am said: I agree. But c’mon, at 13 didn’t you think you could hit a star such as Laura Charles? Reply
One thing I never understood (among others) about this awesome movie is why Leroy’s 13-year-old brother thought he had some kind of legitimate shot with Laura. But the scene where he breakdances to get out of being tied up is classic.
Mike on September 18, 2012 at 11:50 am said: I agree. But c’mon, at 13 didn’t you think you could hit a star such as Laura Charles? Reply
I agree. But c’mon, at 13 didn’t you think you could hit a star such as Laura Charles?
Peter Nielsen on January 2, 2013 at 2:17 am said: Hey Mike Once again you’ve reviewed one of my favorite flicks. And yes… you guessed it. I too have done a review on it! :-) Reply Mike on January 2, 2013 at 7:21 am said: I only discovered this film about a year ago and it has fast become a favorite. Reply Peter Nielsen on January 2, 2013 at 7:49 am said: I watched this in the theater in 1985, in Copenhagen, and have since then watched it numerous times. Mike on January 2, 2013 at 8:01 am said: I bet it was a blast to see in the theater.
Hey Mike Once again you’ve reviewed one of my favorite flicks. And yes… you guessed it. I too have done a review on it! :-)
Mike on January 2, 2013 at 7:21 am said: I only discovered this film about a year ago and it has fast become a favorite. Reply Peter Nielsen on January 2, 2013 at 7:49 am said: I watched this in the theater in 1985, in Copenhagen, and have since then watched it numerous times. Mike on January 2, 2013 at 8:01 am said: I bet it was a blast to see in the theater.
I only discovered this film about a year ago and it has fast become a favorite.
Peter Nielsen on January 2, 2013 at 7:49 am said: I watched this in the theater in 1985, in Copenhagen, and have since then watched it numerous times.
I watched this in the theater in 1985, in Copenhagen, and have since then watched it numerous times.
Mike on January 2, 2013 at 8:01 am said: I bet it was a blast to see in the theater.
I bet it was a blast to see in the theater.
Peter Nielsen on January 2, 2013 at 3:27 pm said: It was indeed! :-) Reply
It was indeed! :-)
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Recent Posts EP155 – Porno Holocaust EP154 – The Astro-Zombies EP153 – Erotic Nights of the Living Dead EP152 – Miami Connection Drive-In Cult Cinema Collection Give-a-way EPB02 – Dinosaur Island EP151 – Contamination EP150 – The Legend of Boggy Creek EP149 – Sugar Hill EP148 – The Strange Colour of Your Body’s Tears EP147 – Bikini Drive-In EP146 – Hey Slappy (Jason X) EP145 – Savage Vengeance EP144 – Westworld EP143 – Gila! EP142 – The Killer EP141 – The Hamburger Pimp EP140 – Detroit 9000 EP139 – Viva Knievel! EP138 – Night of the Comet EP137 – The Amazing Transplant EP136 – Night of the Bloody Rapes EP135 – Virgin Witch EP134 – Hideout in the Sun EP133 – Skinner EP132 – They Call Her One Eye EP131 – The Devil Within Her EP130 – Louisiana Hussy EP129 – Zombeavers EP128 – Mamorial Day Special
EP155 – Porno Holocaust
EP154 – The Astro-Zombies
EP153 – Erotic Nights of the Living Dead
EP152 – Miami Connection
Drive-In Cult Cinema Collection Give-a-way
EPB02 – Dinosaur Island
EP151 – Contamination
EP150 – The Legend of Boggy Creek
EP149 – Sugar Hill
EP148 – The Strange Colour of Your Body’s Tears
EP147 – Bikini Drive-In
EP146 – Hey Slappy (Jason X)
EP145 – Savage Vengeance
EP144 – Westworld
EP143 – Gila!
EP142 – The Killer
EP141 – The Hamburger Pimp
EP140 – Detroit 9000
EP139 – Viva Knievel!
EP138 – Night of the Comet
EP137 – The Amazing Transplant
EP136 – Night of the Bloody Rapes
EP135 – Virgin Witch
EP134 – Hideout in the Sun
EP133 – Skinner
EP132 – They Call Her One Eye
EP131 – The Devil Within Her
EP130 – Louisiana Hussy
EP129 – Zombeavers
EP128 – Mamorial Day Special
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