The Last Dragon

“Bruce” Leroy Green learns he has finished his martial arts training when his master says there is nothing left he can be taught. However, Leroy is dissatisfied because he has not attained “The Glow” promised by his master when he reaches the final level of his training. Leroy’s master sends him to locate another master and attain this “glow”.

While Leroy searches for this master and “The Glow”, he comes across a nemesis called Sho’nuff, the self-proclaimed Shogun of Harlem. He also meets Laura Charles. A video DJ and singer who has her own enemy, an arcade mogul trying to get his singer girlfriend’s video on the show. Circumstances throw them together and Leroy continues to search for this new master and the glow while also protecting Laura from danger.

Made smack-dab in the middle of the eighties, The Last Dragon is a homage to martial arts films. Its main character is in fact chastised for “watching too many kung fu movies”. Which he then almost immediately goes to a theater to watch. Mixed in with this affinity is an attempt to bring the genre into the current year (1985). You get modern settings, slang, stereotypes, and music. This causes some issues though that make the film a little more comedic than I think it was meant to be.

Let’s start with our main character. Leroy (Taimak; The White Girl, Book of Swords) not only trains in martial arts, but it appears that his entire life is dedicated to living a disciplined and Asian-influenced life. Who else eats their popcorn with chopsticks? This makes him stand out on the streets of New York City.

Also, his apparent innocence and naivete imply that he may have not been raised in New York City. He seems like a visitor there from another country. This is not the case though. We learn from his family that they have lived there for many years if not since Leroy was born.

This was Taimak’s first acting role. His inexperience may have added positively to the character. It is hard to say that his performance is due to just his inexperience or if it was the part he was performing. There are more emotionally intense moments in which Taimak seems to perform well, but he comes across as unnatural in most of the movie.

Leroy’s character is about eighty percent of the comedy that happens in the film. The other twenty are the main villain Eddie Arkadian (Christopher Murney; Slapshot, Barton Fink) and his cohorts. He is the classic inept, diminutive, and egotistical villain with bottom-of-the-barrel henchmen. The other villain of the film, Sho’nuff (Julius Carry; World Gone Wild, Moving), is a martial arts rival for Leroy and walks around with a color-coordinated gang of kung fu fighters with different levels of skill. Both actors put a lot of energy into their characters and the result is over-the-top characters who are fun to watch and fit in well with the style of the film.

The damsel in distress of the movie is Laura Charles (Vanity; Action Jackson, Deadly Illusion). Vanity’s performance is fine. She seems natural in the role and connects well with both Leroy as a romantic interest and Eddie as the villain. The character is pretty much in danger from the moment she is introduced, but never seems to be too distressed about it. Unless she is actively being attacked or held hostage.

Before moving on, I need to point out the interesting supporting cast and background-ish actors in the film. You will see a young William H. Macy in a small speaking role, Chazz Palminteri as one of Eddie’s henchmen, Ernie Reyes Jr., and Keshia Knight Pulliam. Just interesting cast members who would go on to do a lot in film and TV.

Besides the comedy, there is quite a bit of action. Taimak is a martial artist in real life and was able to perform some of his own stunts and fight scenes in the film. The fight choreography is not as flashy as more modern films, but the punches, kicks, and throws seem practical and have weight behind them. Surprisingly, I was not disappointed by the action scenes in The Last Dragon and even got excited for the climatic one at the end. However, I got tired of all the actors doing Bruce Lee sounds when fighting.

There are not a lot of special effects, the important one is “The Glow” which has not aged well. It is still great to watch and is implemented well in the plot of the film. Instead of a metaphorical glow, it is an actual physical glow and adds sparks and light effects when each punch and kick connects. So eighties and so fun.

Popular music is heavy in The Last Dragon beyond Laura Charles’ character. It contains mostly R&B and Hip Hop songs. Besides Vanity singing 7th Heaven in film, the soundtrack has works performed by DeBarge, Hutch featuring The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, and Syreeta. Rhythm of the Night (performed by DeBarge) hit number one on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs the year it was released. While not my usual taste in music, I found it fit with the film and quite a few of the songs were entertaining to listen to.

The Last Dragon is a fun comedy action film. It contains a fun story with some growth for the main character and a satisfying ending. While it has some martial arts violence, I believe it can be enjoyed by both the old and the young without concern. Does it rank up there with classic martial arts films like Drunken Master or Enter the Dragon? Not even close, but it entertains from beginning to end. So pop it in your player, turn down your “glow”, relax on the couch and save me some popcorn!

Rating:

Jack Savage:

A tame martial arts film that delights its audience. The Last Dragon is a fun Friday night film that can be enjoyed by both families and friend groups.

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