Amazon.com

Get ready for some seriously big hair. The Last Dragon--or, to call it by its full title, Berry Gordy's the Last Dragon--is a stunning example of 1980s camp cinema. One-name kung fu wonder Taimak plays Leroy Green, a.k.a. Bruce Leroy, a humble student of kung fu who has achieved the highest level of skill, but hasn't yet found his inner master. Wandering through the streets of New York in a Chinese peasant outfit, he accidentally becomes the protector of nightclub hostess/video jockey Laura Charles (played by former Prince protégé Vanity, who also costarred in the trash classic Action Jackson). She's being threatened by a height-challenged mobster who wants her to play his girlfriend's video (the girlfriend is something of a Cyndi Lauper look-alike, played by Broadway star Faith Prince). Meanwhile, a man who calls himself Sho'Nuff, the Shogun of Harlem, wants to kick Leroy's ass and prove himself the baddest kung fu master in town. Add to this Leroy's smart-mouthed brother Richie (who calls Leroy "the chocolate-covered yellow peril"), a dregs-of-Motown soundtrack (DeBarge is a high point), ninja battles, pseudo-Eastern philosophical babble, and a jaw-dropping club performance by Vanity, and you have a hilarious example of why we're all so very glad the '80s are over. Featuring a bit role by William H. Macy (Fargo, Magnolia). --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (170)

I wanted more, but at least it's on DVD
Before I was old enough to buy things on my own, I wanted to own the Last Dragon. This is easily one of my favorite 80's movies growing up. Who can forget the hair, the music, the crazy plot and the killer fight scenes. Waiting for this one to be released on any format seemed like an eternity. The VHS version was released for a short period over a decade ago, but was then quickly a discontinued item. Well after countless years of waiting, fans can rejoice, we can all finally enjoy, probably the best version ever, a DVD version of "The Last Dragon." Although Columbia didn't go all out with this DVD, just the fact they decided to put in on DVD is good enough reason to get a 4 star rating. The movie, simply put, is cool. It has a great 80's soundtrack and is still one of the funnest, and silliest movies ever made.

I was diappointed to see that the DVD did not offer the Dolby Digial 5.1 format, but the Dolby Surround 2.0 does the job nicely. The picture quality is as good as I have ever seen this movie look since I saw it in the theater in 1985, but you can notice it looks a bit aged and perhaps a little more remastering from Columbia would have made it look like new. The DVD lacks all the extras. Although the director commentary was nice, it would have been nice to see some bio's. And where in the heck is the theatrical trailer? But as a whole, fans won't hesitate, and probably already have it on the shelf. Knowing Columbia and how they have treated this movie for 15 years, it will probably only be out for a short period. So you better get your copy now while you can. If you've never seen the movie and just want to enjoy a silly, but fun movie, The Last Dragon is a good DVD to add to your collection.trailer.

A vintage 1980s kung fu/comedy classic
I have always loved this movie. Sure, it's a little bit kooky, but Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon just about has it all: plenty of kung fu action, comedy, romance, great vintage mid-80s music, a little bit of funk styling, and plenty of tributes to the great Bruce Lee; it is also the only film I know of whose two main characters are known by only one name in real life. I actually saw this film twice in the theatre back in 1985, and I can say that of only a few movies. Taimak plays Leroy Green, better known around the New York streets as Bruce Leroy for his impressive kung fu skills. His pursuit of the martial arts is a search for truth and mastery of self, and he is only one step away from acquiring "the glow," a state of being wherein mind and body are one. His pursuit of a new and final "master" keeps getting sidetracked, however. Sho'nuff (Julius Carry III), a particularly nasty dude who proclaims himself to be the Shogun of Harlem, is constantly provoking him and baiting him to fight. Then he finds himself the fated protector of star video jockey Laura Charles (Vanity), who is constantly being kidnapped and pressured into showing a certain video on her show. Eddie Arkadian (Christopher Murney) is determined to make a star of his untalented, Cindy Lauperized squeeze Angela (Faith Prince), and he will stop at nothing to get her video on the air. All of Leroy's enemies, naturally enough, come together for a slam-bam martial arts extravaganza finish.

Laura Charles naturally quickly develops some affection for her knight in flowing Asian robes, and a pretty darn innocent Leroy struggles to overcome his shyness in the ways of love. It makes for a rather sweet as well as comical budding relationship. There is ethnic humor scattered throughout the film, all of which I found funny and in no way offensive - by way of example, there is the somewhat Asian fellow trying to act like Bruce Lee because he thinks that alone will scare away any opponents. The music is great; Debarge's video for his hit song Rhythm of the Night gets prominent placement in the film, as does a rather illuminating performance by Vanity which seems a lot sillier now than it did 18 years ago. Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson contribute to the soundtrack, and Willie Hutch provides a couple of great tracks.

The best thing about The Last Dragon, though, has to be the martial arts. I know this was a somewhat cheesy martial arts film, but I still enjoyed all of the action. This is due in no small part to the fact that clips of Bruce Lee movies are shown at several points in the film, and a scene reminiscent of the huge melee that took place late in Lee's Enter the Dragon is a really nice touch. The whole thing with "the glow" was cartoonish in conception and execution, yet it too was pretty cool. I think The Last Dragon is just a great, entertaining film, but it is probably not for everyone. If you have no interest in martial arts, the romance and sometimes goofball comedy of the film may not be enough to satisfy you, but anyone who enjoys seeing everyone kung fu fighting should have a heck of a fun ride over the course of this somewhat underrated movie. It always leaves me feeling pretty juiced up and positive about life, which is a pretty nice feeling to take away from any movie.

steveo
i first saw this video when i was 10 years old.I THOUGHT IT HAD BEEN DISCONIUED,then finally i come across it again this is one cheesy film but i love it to pieces

5 Stars--Brilliant, Baby!!
I absolutely LOVE this movie. This is one of my favorites! I don't know how people critique movies, and what they call "great", but I'm tired of them, they don't know what the (bleep) they're talking about!!

This movie is sooooooo great! I love Taimak and Vanity (a protegee of the man Prince I awesomely adore) and all of the characters. Sho'nuff may be ug-ly but he makes me laugh! The whole movie makes me laugh.

The tough, strong, yet cute and gentle Leroy Green (son of Daddy Green and his Pizza) a.k.a Bruce Leroy is a funny character I just love. Laura Childs is so pretty and sassy, you just love her. The Plot is endlessly good and I LOVE THIS MOVIE! I recommend it to you and your family (PG-13, though) and you will love it! I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT!!

BUY IT, WATCH IT, LOVE IT!!

Forget the critics! I love this movie!
I don't know why such a bad review is posted here on Amazon? I am sad that the 80s are over, but I still have my DVD to watch any time I want. Bruce Leroy has to go up agienst a bad dude by the name of sho nuff.. All while tring to find the inner glow that will give him the power to defeat his foes...
He has to help a beautiful lady named Laura Charles a video DJ who is harassed by some crazy promotor who will stop at nothing to get a video played on her show..
I love the film for the action and we get to see some Bruce Lee in it too! Leroy is sent out on a mission to find the way to reach the glow and when he has to fight Sho nuff, he finds out that he is the master!

I loved this movie and I wish that there was a sequel... Grab some popcorn and just sit back and have fun... ... Read more

Description

Based on the TV series of the same name. A maverick cop is on the trail of a corrupt auto tycoon. ... Read more

Description

This time it's closer to home. Frank Da Vinci is an ex-Special Forces operative who heads a mission for homeless vets. When his sister, Angie, does not show up for a dinner party one evening, Da Vinci goes to her home, only to find his brother-in-law dead and Angie at the hands of a ruthless assassin named Mintz. Unable to provide him with the information he seeks, Da Vinci witnesses Mintz mercilessly killing her before his eyes. Now Da Vinci is Mintz's next target, but Da Vinci--with the help of his friends--is determined to take on the corrupt CIA agents and avenge his sister's death, taking his own war to the rogue agents and their army of hired assassins. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Don't waste your money on this violent film!
I would have given it 0 starts if i could. The only reason i got this was to see Denise Matthews (formerly known as Vanity) acting. Her acting and Michael Nouri's were pretty good, but as for Joey Travolta he was terrible. The plot is bad, it has too much violence and unecessary nudity and when is the movie industry going to stop mixing sex w/violence? Will it ever end? and of course it has the never-ending obligatory gun to the head cliche/scene.

This movie has characters you don't even care about when they get killed becuse of the atrocious dialoge and stupid plot. I really suffered to get through this movie just too see the short scenes she was in.

It is refreshing to finally see Vanity in a role where she is not playing a victim or being murdered or a sex object. Her time onscreen is very little and the wardrobe for her was not flattering but you get to for the first time see some of her inner beauty come out on celluloid and you can tell she is a different person here. She was a natural at acting and its a big shame she did not get/choose better roles to drugs. I don't understand if she preaches now why she would even be in such a violent film that is negative about women? One highlight is the very end before the credits where she is doing a bit of singing and her voice sounds better. Don't waste your money on this awful film, just rent it if you must. I'm selling this and want my money back.

Davinci's war
This film is a low budget film that stars Joey Travolta,and pop singer/know born-again christian, vanity. The story line is not to great and the acting is just ok. But the good thing is that it keeps you entertained and you see Vanity in one of her last performances, before her preaching days,also she does noy play the typical sexy vixen like she did in the past. The film is just ok. ... Read more