The Last Dragon is a film that was produced by Motown Records in the mid eighties as a sort of a Kung Fu comedy flick. It was really meant to promote some music from the company like Oh Sheila, but the flick has actually stood the test of time as one of the all time must download movies of the eighties. It’s a lot of fun, it’s kind of corny, and it works as an action movie.
The story follows a young man nicknamed “Bruce Leroy”, a Harlem martial artist who teaches Kung Fu to the local kids. He works at his father’s pizza place, delivering pies on foot and deals with his rival, Sho’Nuff, the Shogun of Harlem… Yep. Sho’Nuff… The Shogun of Harlem. This incredibly goofy martial arts tale takes place on the real streets of modern day Harlem and creates a really quirky, one of a kind movie.
Sho’Nuff, the Shogun of Harlem, is really a cinematic treasure as far as great film characters go. He tries to egg Bruce Leroy into a fight so that he can prove, once and for all, who the strongest fighter in the city is. Every time he steps on scene, it’s with a short speech, aided by his lackeys. “Am I the prettiest?!” “SHO NUFF!” “Am I the baddest?!” “SHO NUFF!” “Am I the meanest, leanest mofo around dis town?!” “SHO NUFF!” “SHO’NUFF! Da Shogun of Harlem!” He wears visor sunglasses, a samurai’s hakama (those baggy pants that disguise foot movement), and shoulder pads, as well as a top knot… He looks ridiculous and he’s just a joy to behold.
There’s a subplot that you probably… Won’t take too much interest in. See, Leroy is after the heart of this girl who produces a local music show, and there’s this sleazy promoter who’s trying to get his girlfriend’s new single played on her show. When you see the video, you’ll grimace and shudder in embarrassment just for watching it, so… It’s funny, but you find yourself wishing they’d just get back to the kung fu already!
But regardless, it is funny, and it does pay off with a big brawl scene at the end when he hires all the meanest guys in the city to attack Bruce Leroy and his students. The end result is a really great rumble scene with Leroy taking on a few dozen hilarious, wild characters before finally beating Sho’Nuff and attaining “The Glow” which is what you call it when they draw a halo of light around your body frame by frame.
There are also some really fun, corny moments along the way. At one point, Leroy tries to seek wisdom from the guy who writes the fortune cookies at the local Chinese restaurant, only to find that they’re written by a computer. Therein he finds that zen wisdom of emptiness and being.
Could the movie have been a bit better without the subplot about the record promoter and his girlfriend? Sure, but there’s always something about every movie where it “could have been better”. Regardless, what’s there is a fun, funny, corny, exciting little gem of a film. Half kung fu, half spoof of kung fu, and all eighties.
Next time you want a goofy, fun eighties flick, and you want to see a little kung fu while you’re at it, go ahead and give The Last Dragon a download.
There are of course hybrids, but that is not relevent in this article. Download Songs And when we’re bored with our own minds, we trade our goods with others, some like-minded, some not so. When Moses was born, it is said that the house was filled with light.
categories: movies,entertainment,arts,downloads,reviews,recreation,leisure
