For Throwback Thursday this week I thought it would be interesting to explore one of my favorite films from the 80s: Berry Gordy's "The Last Dragon," which hit screens on March 22, 1985.
For those who are a bit younger or may have missed this flick back in the 80s, "The Last Dragon" is kung-fu -musical -comedy hybrid that tells the story of an African-American martial arts master (Taimak) who refuses to fight. He's a Bruce Lee fan of the highest order (people call him "Bruce Leroy" for god's sake...) who's so sure he's Asian that he eats popcorn with chopsticks. His friends think he's too serious. His family thinks he's crazy. His enemies think he's no challenge. But he knows, deep down in his soul, that he's The Last Dragon...kind of a mystical warrior who can harness the power of "The Glow," which no one can stand against.
Unfortunately, this film doesn't hold up all that well today, but back in the day my brothers and I wore out our taped-from-our-friends-HBO VHS copy. (The City of Philadelphia, where I grew up, didn't get cable TV until late in 1987 due to "issues" with the various labor unions. Don't ask. I couldn't watch MTV for a good portion of my teenage years. It was quite the traumatic experience.) After each viewing, my brothers and I would wrestle and play fight as if we were truly kung-fu experts, screaming at each other the villain, Sho'nuff's (Julius Carry III), famous line, "WHOOO IS THE MAAAASSSTER?!?" Good times. Good times...
Since the film was produced by Berry Gordy/Motown, the music in the film is excellent. The smokin' hot Vanity has couple great song and dance numbers, and the rest of the score is filled-out by Motown pop-hits of that era. Debarge's "Rhythm of the Night" sticks out in my mind particularly. I owned the soundtrack as well, and wore out that cassette tape as I did the VHS tape of the film. It was a great soundtrack to work-out to as I was heavily in the martial arts (Kenpo Karate) then myself. I never achieved the "golden Glow" but I was pretty damn good, and had several tournament trophies to show for it.
For me, I think why the film doesn't hold up all that well today is the wildly inconsistent performances. I don't think anyone would disagree with me that the late Julius Carry steals the film as "The Shogun of Harlem" Sho'nuff. Taimak is fine in the action sequences, but is kind of a block of wood as an actor. As I mentioned previously, Vanity is drop dead gorgeous in this film but, sadly, isn't much of an actress either. The supporting cast is very good with Christopher Murney as the evil Eddie Arcadian, Leo O'Brien as Leroy's breakdancing brother, Ritchie, and longtime Broadway starlet, Faith Prince as Eddie's ditzy and long-suffering girlfriend, Angela Viracco. See if you can spot both a young Chazz Palminteri and William H. Macy in cameo roles.
Interestingly enough, there is a "Last Dragon" 30th anniversary tribute festival happening this Saturday, November 8 in New York City. There will be a screening of film, Q&A with Taimak and other stars, and a VIP after-party. You can check out the website and register here if you are so inclined. There is also an excellent fan-made trailer below that captures the overall essence of the film.
And just remember, the next time you get in any kind of confrontation, at the gas station, on the subway, or Wal-Mart, or wherever, be sure to scream at your adversary: "WHOOO IS THE MAAAASSSTER?!?"
It's a phrase that gets things done. Sho'nuff!
