The Last Dragon
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| Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon |
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|---|---|
| Directed by | Michael Schultz |
| Produced by | Rupert Hitzig Berry Gordy Joseph Caracciolo |
| Written by | Louis Venosta |
| Starring | Taimak Julius Carry Christopher Murney Leo O'Brien Faith Prince Glen Eaton Vanity Jim Moody Mike Starr |
| Music by | Bruce Miller Misha Segal |
| Cinematography | James A. Contner |
| Editing by | Christopher Holmes |
| Distributed by | Tri-Star Pictures |
| Release date(s) | March 22, 1985 |
| Running time | 109 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $10 million |
| Allmovie profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
For the mockumentary of the same name, see The Last Dragon (Docudrama/Fantasy)
Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon is a 1985 martial arts film, produced by Rupert Hitzig for Berry Gordy and directed by Michael Schultz. A critical disappointment but a financial success,[citation needed] The Last Dragon is now considered a cult classic. The film stars Taimak, Vanity, Julius Carry, Christopher Murney, and Faith Prince. The film was released in theatres by TriStar Pictures on March 22, 1985.
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[edit] Plot
Set in New York City, the plot follows a black teenage martial arts student named Leroy Green (often referred to as "Bruce Leroy", although he never actually calls himself that). With dreams of becoming a great martial artist like his idol Bruce Lee, Leroy goes on a quest to achieve the highest level of martial arts accomplishment, known as "The Last Dragon". Martial artists who achieve the rank of "Last Dragon" possess "The Glow". As its name suggests it is a mystical energy that can be tapped into by a martial arts master. When a fighter's hands glow, he is one of the best in the world and when his entire body glows, he is the greatest fighter alive. On his journey to becoming the "Last Dragon" and wielding the power of "The Glow," Leroy must confront villains such as a crooked arcade mogul Eddie Arkadian (Murney) and the evil Sho'nuff, the Shogun of Harlem, from whom he must also protect his younger brother Richie (Leo O'Brien) and his girlfriend, VJ Laura Charles (Vanity).
[edit] Cast
This was the first acting role for Taimak, a then-20-year-old black belt who learned to act on the set of this picture. Leroy and Richie's younger sister Sophie was portrayed by Cosby Show actress Keshia Knight Pulliam. Ernie Reyes Jr., martial artist and actor, made his film debut at the age of twelve in this film. Leo O'Brien, the actor portraying Bruce Leroy's younger brother Richie, is the younger brother of Guy O'Brien, better known as "Master Gee" from the hip-hop group The Sugarhill Gang. Veteran actor William H. Macy makes a brief appearance as "JJ", and Chazz Palminteri makes a brief appearance as "Hood #2".
[edit] Music
Featured in this film is a DeBarge song, "Rhythm of the Night", written by Diane Warren. The song reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard R&B charts. The film's Richard Perry-produced title theme was nominated for Worst "Original" Song at the 1985 Golden Raspberry Awards, as was Vanity's song "7th Heaven". However, the $10 million production grossed $33 million in the United States, resulting in a profit.[citation needed]
[edit] In pop culture
- Busta Rhymes included a nod to Sho'nuff with his music video for the single "Dangerous".
- The film is parodied in an episode of The Venture Bros. which shows Hank Venture stabbing his brother Dean in the foot with a pencil during martial arts sparring, then rejoicing and screaming "Sho 'Nuff!".
- The theme to The Last Dragon was featured in the second episode of The Sarah Silverman Program, Humanitarian of the Year, when Brian finally displays the karate skills that had been talked about, but not shown, throughout the episode.
- The Internet cartoon College University featured Sho'Nuff in episode #8 "Return of the Fat, Doughy Ninja". He was one of the contestants in the "Ultimate Washed Up Fighting Tournament".
- I-Mockery's Dr. Boogie did a piece on the film recently
- Rapper Fabolous made references to this movie twice on his 2003 album "Street Dreams" saying that he has the "Bruce Leroy Glow" and that he "glows like the kid from the Last Dragon".
- Rapper Nas makes reference to this movie in his song 'The Message' with the line "can it be Vanity from Last Dragon", where Vanity is the name of the lead actress from the movie who is Leroy's love interest.
- Rapper WC quotes Sho'nuff's line from the film, "Kiss my Converse," in the song "Bow Down" by Westside Connection, saying, "All ya'll can kiss my Converse, like Sho'nuff."
- Rapper Lupe Fiasco mentions Leroy on 2007 album, "The Cool" His lyrics state "Glow like Leroy, you should see boy go."
- Fatboy Slim had a song named Sho Nuff. It was a B-Side to Praise You.
- The song "The Glow" is referenced in an episode of South Park titled "Butt-Out". One member of the anti-smoking campaign representatives, Randy, sings several lines that are similar and use the same beat.
- Rap duo Kidz In The Hall mention it in their song "Wheelz Fall Off(06 til') by saying "Leroy glow shines every time i spit it"
- Lupe Fiasco mentions the movie in his song "Hip Hop Saved My Life" with the line "Glow like Leroy, you should see boy go."
- New Jersey hardcore punk band Kohuff utilized their name rhyming with the antagonist's and put out a run of stickers that parody one of his lines the original being the call and response among his minions "who is the shogun of harlem? sho'nuff!!" while the parody stickers asked "who are the shoguns of new jersey? KOHUFF!!!"
[edit] Filming
The Dojo and workout scenes were filmed at the Harlem Karate Institute of Grandmaster Ernest Hyman, Japanese Goju-Ryu, in Harlem, New York City.
