Last weekend I went to a 40th Anniversary screening of The Last Dragon. One of my favorite films ever, and the screening affirmed it. I've dressed up as Bruce Leroy one Halloween, have a painting of Sho'Nuff in my man cave. When I visited the Motown Museum in Detroit, there was a poster of the film. Had to snap a pic next to it. I once did a podcast series on influential films to me and of course discussed the movie.
I've written two previous blogs about it, and mentioned it in several other blogs explaining my love of film. I even wrote about the film for a college paper.
Much like when I saw Ninja Turtles in August for its 35th Anniversary, I've been on a high. Rewatching the movie, watching clips, quoting it, even discovering the entire soundtrack and music videos. Being the movie and nostalgia guy I am, it's something about seeing a movie I've seen countless times before in a theater.
While I vividly remember seeing Ninja Turtles in theaters when I was four years old. The Last Dragon was released a year before I was born, so this screening was an absolute must for me. I planned to see it again before it's very limited 3 day run was over but couldnt make it. So watched it at home to present my 40 random thoughts of The Last Dragon.
1. You gotta admit it's very 80's but that opening training scene is COLD!
2. I don't remember the first time I saw the film. I do know though thanks to the Encore Channel back in the 90's...I watched it all the time.
3. I guess I never noticed it in the first scene with his sensei, but off the bat they show how naive Leroy is. Like anything practical completely goes over his head.
4. Maybe that's how New York City was in the 80's, but it seemed like every patron in the movie theater just seemed like random groups of degenerates
5. It's campy but Sho'Nuff's entrance is still a top tier villain film entrance. Cronies walking in unison to hype you up and shout your rally cry. That's top tier egomaniac right there.
6. So Sho'Nuff says he's back on the scene, well where was he? Was he training and fighting overseas? Hiding from someone? Was he locked down? A throwaway line, but had potential for a good backstory.
7. Just for the record, Rhythm Of The Night is my shit. To this day when it comes on, I sign the whole song word for word and bop my shoulders.
8. By the way, I honestly did not know much about The Debarge family and all their hits, until I was in my early 20's.
9. Man, Vanity was fine!
10. 7th Heaven the show is a perfect capsule of the long gone era of music based shows. From American Bandstand to 106 & Park, those shows played in a huge role in many kids upbringing. Sad the appetite for those kind of shows no longer exist.
11. William H. Macy's brief role was only his fifth credited film role. And he went on to be a star.
12. Eddie Arkadian is the epitome of short man syndrome. As a short guy myself, I know the type.
13. I also find it hilarious he was hell bent that treating woman to dinner a la carte was the way to their heart.
14. The Last Dragon is Chazz Palminteri's first film credit in his early 30's playing one of Arkadian's thugs. Just 8 short years later he'd star in his most famous role as Sonny in A Bronx Tale. Keep pushing!
15. Of course a young Keisha Knight Pulliam as Leroy's younger sister. Another brief role and her first film credit, which probably was filmed around the same time as the first season of The Cosby Show.
16. You gotta give it to Richie, he was all of 14-15 years old and you couldn't tell him he wasn't the man. I wish I had that bravado at that age.
17. While the song and music video were trash. I can see why Eddie and crew thought they had a hit on their hands. It would totally have been a 80's hit cause it just fit the era.
18. Carl Anthony Thomas II better known as Cole from Martin makes a brief non-speaking appearance as one of Richie's friends The casting director for this film had an eye for aspiring talent.
19. I know people looked alot older than they were in the 80's. Sho'nuff had to be in his late twenties-early thirties, what the hell did he do for work?
20. And how much did he pay his crew? I mean I'm sure they had multiples of their Sho'nuff uniforms.
21. The theatrical re-release included a very brief scene of Eddie walking through the arcade. Added nothing to the scene, but was a cool little treat for long time eagle eyed viewers
22. What in the world possessed Eddie Arkadian to wear a toupee when meeting Sho'Nuff? And if Sho'Nuff didn't want the money, again what does he do to live?
23. Leroy goes to Laura's apartment to apologize. She sees him outside talks to him and said she'll be right back. And changes clothes into an Asian inspired dress.
24. Then takes him to the studio and plays a montage video of Bruce Lee and his mastery. Taking an interest in Leroy's interest to book him. Laura had GAME!
25. It's a plot point to keep the story going, but I kind of always suspected Angela was still a little in cahoots with Eddie. Although she comes off as a ditz, she had to know saying stay away from 7th Heaven meant Leroy would in fact go there. And while Eddie had taken Laura hostage to lure him in. Or was it all a coincidence?
26. I just learned this week the upset stomach song is sung by Stevie Wonder. I hear his voice in the song, but not sure how I missed putting two and two together all this time.
27. If you ask me the 7th Heaven battle is one of the coolest and best fight scenes in movie history.
28. This has bugged me forever and I know it's movie logic and not real logic. How the hell did Johnny assemble all those fellow students, and get to 7th Heaven just in the nick of time to save Leroy?
29. Ernie Reyes Jr. First film. Between this film, Ninja Turtles: Secret Of The Ooze, and Surf Ninjas. I'm surprised Reyes isn't more revered amongst the millennial generation and he didn't become a bigger martial arts star in the 90's.
30. Not sure if it was editing or just stunt men with similar attire. I'm pretty sure Leroy is shown taking out the same guy three times during the 7th Heaven Battle.
31. I always figured Richie's sudden change of heart, was because up until Leroy came to save him and Laura. Richie had never seen his brother fight. And he quickly realized Leroy is a bad mofo.
32. Could have been I never noticed as a child and never paid attention as an adult. Seeing the movie in theaters, I realized how fearful Leroy was of Sho'Nuff when he approaches him in the warehouse ready to fight.
33. I wonder how many colors of the glow there were? Green? Purple? Orange maybe?
34. Leroy's water infused memory lane montage is highly underrated, and honestly inspiring.
35. Leroy finally achieved the glow, because he gained that confidence he was missing. Very Important life lesson there.
36. Everything indicates 7th Heaven in the final scene takes place maybe a couple hours after the big finale. How the hell did they investigate the crime scene(s)? Clean up the studio? Richie, Laura, Johnny and co. clean up and change. And Leroy heads home changes and gets flowers. Movie time is something else.
37. I often think about fictional characters and their lives past a movie. Are Leroy and Laura still together in 2025? Is he still practicing martial arts? Is there a new generation Sho'nuff out there? Questions that need answers.
38. Wasn't until I was much older one reason I realized why I love this movie so much. I can relate to Leroy, he was a martial arts master. I grew up in the era of Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, and 3 Ninjas so I wanted to be one. He was akward outside of the bubble he was comfortable in. Same here pal. Took him some time to learn the ladies, me too.
Bruce Leroy was the first Black superhero I saw before I realized it.
39. The movie doesn't get enough credit for being ahead of its time. Highlighting the intersection between Black and Asian cultures. I vividly remember elementary school which was the early-mid 90's. Anime was coming to the U.S. more frequently and the Black community embraced it and the culture.
40. I unapologetically love this movie, because it unapologetically knows what it is and embraces it. I will love it for the next 40 years.
