“Who’s the Master?” —Sho’nuff
Today’s quick review: The Last Dragon. Leroy Green (Taimak), a young martial arts expert, seeks the Glow, a mystic ability that comes with perfect mastery. His quest takes an unexpected turn when he helps Laura Charles (Vanity), a popular nightclub DJ, fend off the advances of Eddie Arkadian (Chris Murney), a deranged music producer. Meanwhile, Sho’nuff (Julius J. Carry III), the self-proclaimed Shogun of Harlem, tries to goad Leroy into a fight.
The Last Dragon is a martial arts comedy with an optimistic tone and an upbeat 80s soundtrack. The movie follows Leroy as he attempts to complete the last stage of his training, navigate his first romance, and defuse a dangerous rivalry. The Last Dragon offers a charming story, a few decent fight scenes, and a fair amount of dancing. However, the limitations of its story and fight scenes keep it from being a sharper or more memorable hit.
The Last Dragon is a quirky movie. The plot consists of three separate threads—Leroy’s search for the Glow, his romance with Laura, and his rivalry with Sho’nuff—that have very little to do with each other. The Last Dragon makes a credible attempt at tying the three together, but it takes the first half of the movie to figure out how. The result is a story that hits most of the expected beats but takes a roundabout route to do so.
Leroy himself makes for an unusual protagonist. Uptight and awkward, he lacks the fire of a young apprentice and the confidence of a mature master. To the movie’s credit, The Last Dragon embraces Leroy’s status as an oddball, using it both for comedic purposes and as a challenge for Leroy to overcome. The supporting cast is just as odd in their own ways, from the neurotic, self-absorbed Eddie Arkadian to the boastful, inexplicable Sho’nuff.
Watch The Last Dragon when you’re looking for a light, endearing taste of the 80s. The Last Dragon doesn’t hit as hard as other movies in the genre, either in terms of drama or stunt work, but its quirky charm makes it an enjoyable watch all the same. Those who go in expecting a tight story or jaw-dropping fights will be disappointed. Those willing to embrace the movie for what it is will have a good time.
For a martial arts movie with a similar tone and a better story, check out The Karate Kid. For martial arts comedies with better stunts, check out the work of Jackie Chan.
6.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for a light tone and plenty of heart with slight flaws in its fundamentals.