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,[citation needed] The Last Dragon is now considered a cult classic. The film stars Taimak, Vanity, Julius Carry, Christopher Murney, and Faith Prince. Choreography was by Lester Wilson, and Lawrence Leritz. The film was released in theatres by TriStar Pictures on March 22, 1985
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).
[edit] 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, as well as, television host London Reyes a.k.a "B-Boy London" of the New York City Breakers. Veteran actor William H. Macy makes a brief appearance as "JJ", and Chazz Palminteri makes a brief appearance as "Hood #2". Carl Anthony Payne II appeared in a small role as a kid in the family-owned pizza shop, would later co-star in The Cosby Show and Martin.
[edit] 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".
[edit] Remake
A remake of the movie is currently in the works, with Samuel L. Jackson assuming the role of Sho'nuff. John Davis of Davis Entertainment and Gordy's son Kerry Gordy, along with the RZA are set to produce. Penning the screenplay as well as producing is Dallas Jackson, who heads up the urban family label DJ Classicz with Davis.[1]
[edit] 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.
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 the "Winners" episode of The Totally Rad Show, the final battle between Leroy and Sho'nuff is spoofed during the intro.
In the webgame "Billy Vs. Snakeman" there is a rare potion called the Sho Nuff Elixir, which when drank gives you a rare item referred to as The Glow. Mimicing the film.
In the song "The Two" from the album A Tribute to Christina Ricci by hip hop duo Felt, Slug says the line "Catch bullets with our teeth."
The song "Pete Wentz Is The Only Reason We're Famous" by Cobra Starship contains the line "When the light's off, I’m gonna show you how Bruce LeRoy glows".
There is a reference in the song "How You Feel" by Mac Dre featuring Keak Da Sneak and Dola Ike.
Rapper Yukmouth references Leroy in 1995 song So Much Drama, with the line, "I can't stand punks on a manhunt, that destroy, lay low, cause my four-four will make your a__ glow like Bruce Leroy."
[edit] Filming
The film began production on exclusive New York City locations on April 16th, 1984
The Dojo and workout scenes were filmed at the Harlem Karate Institute of Grandmaster Ernest Hyman, Japanese Goju-Ryu, in Harlem, New York City.
The Victory Theater on 42nd Street which was used for the scene where Sho-Nuff interrupts the viewing of Enter The Dragon
Bernstein's-on-Essex,a kosher Chinese restaurant used in the film with its decor intact.
A pizza restaurant in lower Manhattan (Daddy Green's);
A Chinese warehouse on Walker Street in Manhattan (the Sum Dum Goy fortune cookie factory);
Super Amusements in Flushing in the Queens Borough of New York City (Eddie's Video Emporium)
An abandoned wire factory and warehouse at East 118 Street and East Side Highway in Manhattan which was used for the climatic fight between Leroy and Sho'Nuff..
Peter Larkin's spectacular Seventh Heaven club video set was built on Camera Mart stages at 54th and 10th Avenue, a set so impressive that Diana Ross, visiting one day, promptly ask if she could buy it for her next tour.
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