The Last Dragon
1985 Directed by Michael Schultz
Synopsis
His family thinks he's crazy. His enemies think he's no challenges. But she knows he's THE LAST DRAGON.
Martial arts student Leroy Green (Taimak) is on a quest to obtain the elusive all-powerful force known as "The Glow." Along the way he must battle the evil, self-proclaimed Shogun of Harlem - a kung fu warrior also known as Sho'nuff (Julius J Carry III) - and rescue a beautiful singer (Prince protégée Vanity) from an obsessed record promoter.
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The Last Dragon is a very amusing action comedy due to its B-grade production style, which has to be at least somewhat intentional. Paying heavy homage to Bruce Lee martial arts movies, this movie is set deep in 80's style kitsch and appearance. From its wardrobe and song integration technique it looks like it derived some style from filmmaker Walter Hill (1979's "The Warriors", 1984's "Streets of Fire").
The music elements make sense when you know that executive producer Berry Gordy was a Motown record producer. One hit wonder DeBarge's "Rhythm of the Night" came from this movie's soundtrack, and a major plot point revolves around Laura Charles, the beautiful and famous host of a music video television program (like…
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This might be the most 80's film ever filmed.
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So this is one of my favorite Martial Art/Comedy films ever! It is totally 80's cheese and basically a musical! I love every minutes of this film. If you don't know who Sho'nuff is or have never heard the phrase "Kiss my converse" then you better rent this one ASAP!
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Four disconnected plot elements combine in a less than satisfactory manner as The Glow promises much more than it delivers.
The film is a coming-of-age kung fu tale, which features two villains. One who just wants a good fight, and the other who just wants to make a music video. It is not helped by a protagonist who is too dim for his own good or a tone that is too self-aware. Only the female singer keeps events enjoyable.
The Reverence: A walking fortune cookie beats out an awkward conversation in a car, a mischievous kung fu master, a female singer who is constantly kidnapped and hiring goons.
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Got it on DVD and had to watch it 'properly'. Top stuff.
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I knew I loved this movie when, even after they stopped the film three times and asked the audience to quite down, I still enjoyed it enough to stay and watch it again. Berry Gordy's THE LAST DRAGON is an urban martial arts masterpiece, in the same veins as Foxy Brown, Shaft and Dolemite. It stars Vanity and Taimak (?), exactly - he did little else, but the real find in the flick is Julius Carry, who steals every scene he is in as Sho'Nuff. He later went on to do double duty as Bowler on BRISCOE COUNTY and MURPHY BROWN's boss. The music is also great, and sits proudly in my soundtrack collection. I would compare it to Fright…
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Got to catch this in HD, pretty fun movie. Leroy Green vs Sho Nuf the Shogun of Harlem with Vanity looking hot as hell.
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Four disconnected plot elements combine in a less than satisfactory manner as The Glow promises much more than it delivers.
The film is a coming-of-age kung fu tale, which features two villains. One who just wants a good fight, and the other who just wants to make a music video. It is not helped by a protagonist who is too dim for his own good or a tone that is too self-aware. Only the female singer keeps events enjoyable.
The Reverence: A walking fortune cookie beats out an awkward conversation in a car, a mischievous kung fu master, a female singer who is constantly kidnapped and hiring goons.
-
The Last Dragon is a very amusing action comedy due to its B-grade production style, which has to be at least somewhat intentional. Paying heavy homage to Bruce Lee martial arts movies, this movie is set deep in 80's style kitsch and appearance. From its wardrobe and song integration technique it looks like it derived some style from filmmaker Walter Hill (1979's "The Warriors", 1984's "Streets of Fire").
The music elements make sense when you know that executive producer Berry Gordy was a Motown record producer. One hit wonder DeBarge's "Rhythm of the Night" came from this movie's soundtrack, and a major plot point revolves around Laura Charles, the beautiful and famous host of a music video television program (like…
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A Motown-produced kung fu film. The lead character is referred to as 'Bruce Leroy'. The villain character bids our hero to "kiss my Converse". William H Macy pops up in a ridiculous neon shellsuit. The central motivation of the main villain is to get a music video played on telly.
Quite fun.
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This might be the most 80's film ever filmed.
-
So this is one of my favorite Martial Art/Comedy films ever! It is totally 80's cheese and basically a musical! I love every minutes of this film. If you don't know who Sho'nuff is or have never heard the phrase "Kiss my converse" then you better rent this one ASAP!
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Got it on DVD and had to watch it 'properly'. Top stuff.
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I really liked this film as a kid. I think I need to watch it again and see what I think about it now.
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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…