The Last Dragon (1985)
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A martial arts student seeks to achieve 'The Glow' while navigating the urban landscape of New York City.
The story
In New York City, martial arts student Leroy Green, also known as 'Bruce Leeroy', dreams of becoming a great martial artist like his idol Bruce Lee. His master informs him that he is close to reaching 'The Last Dragon', a final level of accomplishment where a master can manifest 'The Glow'—a mystical energy that makes their body glow. Armed with a medal supposedly belonging to Bruce Lee, Leroy sets out on a spiritual journey to find Master Sum Dum Goy to unlock this power. However, he faces opposition from Sho'nuff, a rival martial artist who seeks to be recognized as the true master.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Leroy Green (Bruce Leeroy) seeks to achieve 'The Glow' by finding Master Sum Dum Goy. Along the way, he encounters Sho'nuff, the 'Shogun of Harlem,' who demands Leroy bow to him. Leroy also becomes entangled in a conflict involving video-arcade mogul Eddie Arkadian, who attempts to kidnap local VJ Laura Charles to promote his trashy music videos. Leroy rescues Laura twice, once disguised as a Ninja, but loses his Bruce Lee medal in the process. Arkadian eventually hires Sho'nuff to defeat Leroy and takes control of Laura's studio, capturing her and Leroy's brother, Richie. Leroy infiltrates a fortune cookie factory to find the Master, only to discover it is a computer. After learning from his former master that the answers are within him, Leroy returns to the studio. He faces off against Sho'nuff, who reveals his own 'Glow.' Leroy realizes his internal strength, achieves his own golden 'Glow,' and defeats Sho'nuff. Finally, Leroy catches a bullet fired by Arkadian between his teeth, detains him, and reunites with Laura.
- First release year
- 1985
- Runtime (minutes)
- 107
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Michael Schultz
- Writers
- Louis Venosta · writer
- Cast and characters
- Taimak; Vanity; Julius Carry · Sho'nuff; Christopher Murney; Faith Prince; Keshia Knight Pulliam
- Genres
- musical; martial arts; action; comedy
- Themes
- Self-discovery; Internal strength; Martial arts mastery
- Tone and mood
- Musical; Action; Comedy; Cult classic
- Premise and plot tags
- Martial Arts; Kidnapping; Musical; Supernatural
- Source material / true-story basis
- Original screenplay
- Content notes
- Kidnapping
- Reception
- The film was a financial success despite a mixed reception by critics and is considered a cult classic, especially in urban Black cinema.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 59 · scale: 100 · review count: 9
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Globe Award · Best Original Song · 43rd · Nominated
- Production trivia
- The film was the first acting role for Taimak.; Billy Blanks was at one point considered for the role of Leroy Green.; The Victory Theater on 42nd Street, which was an adult movie theatre, was used for the scene where Sho'nuff interrupts the viewing of Enter the Dragon.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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