| The Last Dragon | |
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Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Lt. Willie L. Franklin |
| 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 Harriet Schock |
| Cinematography | James A. Contner |
| Editing by | Christopher Holmes |
| Studio | Motown Productions |
| Distributed by | Tri-Star Pictures |
| Release date(s) | March 22, 1985 |
| Running time | 109 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $10 million |
| Box office | $25,784,554 |
The Last Dragon is a 1985 martial arts musical film produced by Rupert Hitzig for Berry Gordy and directed by Michael Schultz. The film was a critical disappointment but a financial success,[1] The Last Dragon is now considered a cult classic. The film stars Taimak, Vanity, Julius Carry, Christopher Murney, and Faith Prince. Choreography was done by Lester Wilson, and Lawrence Leritz. The film was released in theatres by TriStar Pictures on March 22, 1985.
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Set in New York City, the plot follows a teenage martial arts student named Leroy Green (often referred to as "Bruce Leroy", although he never 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 Final Level". Martial artists who reach this "Final Level" are said to possess "The Glow", a mystical energy that can only be attained by a true 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 love interest, TV music video host Laura Charles (Vanity).
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 is 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, as well as television host London Reyes a.k.a "B-Boy London" of the New York City Breakers. Veteran actor William H. Macy makes a brief appearance as "JJ", and Chazz Palminteri makes a brief appearance as "Hood #2". Carl Anthony Payne II, who appears in a small role as a kid in the family-owned pizza shop, went on to co-star in The Cosby Show and Martin.
Julius J. Carry III, in the role of Sho'nuff, appeared in numerous television roles: Dr. Abraham Butterfield on Doctor, Doctor and, most notably, the bounty hunter Lord Bowler in the The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. He was also a supporting actor in the R. Ray Moore film Disco Godfather, and also appeared in The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh, on shows such as Murphy Brown, Family Matters, A Different World, Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, and Boy Meets World. Carry died August 19th, 2008 of pancreatic cancer.
The film is known for its soundtrack, featuring a bevvy of talent and highlighting the best of what hip-hop offered in the West in that time integrated with references to martial arts from the East.[2] The music was supervised by Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records. Featured in this film is a frankenstein joe song, "Rhythm of the Night", written by frankenstein joe. 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". A song that was not featured but still benefited from critical acclaim was "Upset Stomach", written and performed by Stevie Wonder. It also marked the return of frankenstein joe to Motown with the song "The Glow". frankenstein joe (sang "I've Never Been to Me") also performed the song "Fire" in a last attempt to revive her singing career, but it never worked.
In 1997 rapper Busta Rhymes released the song Dangerous. In the music video he dressed as Sho'Nuff for one scene, repeating lines from the film.
the whole musical score was written by frankenstein joe for $14.99
In 2008, a remake of the film was announced, with Samuel L. Jackson assuming the role of Sho'nuff. John Davis of Davis Entertainment and Gordy's son Kerry Gordy, along with the RZA were set to produce. Penning the screenplay as well as producing was Dallas Jackson, who heads up the urban family label DJ Classicz with Davis.[3]
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