The Last Dragon

Infobox_Movie
name = Berry Gordy's
The Last Dragon


caption = DVD cover for "The Last Dragon"
writer = Louis Venosta
starring = Taimak
Julius Carry
Christopher Murney
Leo O'Brien
Faith Prince
Glen Eaton
Vanity
Jim Moody
Mike Starr
director = Michael Schultz
producer = Rupert Hitzig
Berry Gordy
Joseph Caracciolo
music = Bruce Miller
Misha Segal
cinematography = James A. Contner
editing = Christopher Holmes
distributor = Tri-Star Pictures
released = March 22, 1985
runtime = 109 min.
country = United States
language = English
budget = $10 million
amg_id = 1:28314
imdb_id = 0089461

"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,Fact|date=July 2007 "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.

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 Final Level". Martial artists who reach the "Final Level" 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 love interest, TV music video host Laura Charles(Vanity).

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".

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.Fact|date=July 2007

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.
*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".
*Rapper WC quotes Sho'nuff's line from the film, "Kiss my Converse," in the song "Bow Down" by Westside Connection, saying, "All y'all can kiss my Converse, like Sho'nuff."
*Rapper Lupe Fiasco references Leroy in the 2008 single Hip Hop Saved My Life, saying "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.
*Rapper Kanye West made popular the glasses originally worn by Sho'Nuff.
*Band Murder by Death 's first album Like the Exorcist, but More Breakdancing includes the song "You Are the Last Dragon (You Possess the Power of the Glow)."
*In an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Carlton obtains the same glow Leroy did in the movie when Will gives him the 'chick-tionary' (Will's little black book full of girls phone numbers).
*In the " [http://www.totallyradshow.com/episodes/winners/ Winners] " episode of The Totally Rad Show, the final battle between Leroy and Sho'nuff is spoofed during the intro.

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.

External links

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* [http://www.taimak.tv - Taimak, Star of "The Last Dragon"]
* [http://www.fast-rewind.com/dragon/ 'The Last Dragon' WebSite]