THE LAST DRAGON (1985) Revisited + Exclusive Taimak Interview
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- In 1985, Berry Gordy, a legend in the music industry as the genius behind Motown, turned his attention once again to the silver screen. He had already produced a number of films starring Diana Ross in the seventies, but this would be different. He wanted to make an all-ages blockbuster that would introduce a brand new action hero. Working with director Michael Schultz and screenwriter Louis Venosta, the resulting movie - The Last Dragon - would pay homage to the kung-fu films of the seventies, which were beloved by inner-city black audiences, while also showcasing the latest talent from Motown on the pop song filled soundtrack.
To play the lead, Bruce Leroy, a naive young martial artist in search of “The Glow,” they hired an aspiring 19-year-old actor/martial artist named Taimak. He would star opposite former Prince muse Vanity and Julius Carry, who would play the awesome villain Sho’Nuff. Taimak, who’s still an incredible martial artist and looks terrific thirty-seven years later, is a great guy with many stories to tell. So, in this special episode of Revisited +, we sit down with Taimak for an exclusive interview, who tells us all about making The Last Dragon.
Indeed, the film became a major cult hit when it came out in 1985. While the planned sequels never happened, the film became a staple of the VHS generation, and one of the songs off of the soundtrack, DeBarge’s “Rhythm of the Night,” remains a staple of any eighties mix. Join us as we revisit this kung fu classic.
For more MOVIE NEWS, visit: www.joblo.com
SUBSCRIBE for more of all the LATEST JoBlo Videos here: goo.gl/R9U81J
JOBLO RUclips NETWORK:
► MOVIE TRAILERS: bit.ly/3rVdsq8
► MOVIE CLIPS: bit.ly/3k355GA
► STREAMING/TV TRAILERS: bit.ly/37ifDMz
► HORROR TRAILERS: bit.ly/3qsPxyc
► ANIMATED VIDEOS: bit.ly/3pqYiaJ
► SUPERHEROES: bit.ly/37nXgGd
► JOBLO VIDEOS: bit.ly/2Zp4WDG
► JOBLO HORROR VIDEOS: bit.ly/3bd7Voj
► CELEBRITY INTERVIEWS: bit.ly/3dk7ISN
► PARANORMAL NETWORK: bit.ly/2NvY58P
SUPPORT OUR CHANNEL - PURCHASE VIA OUR LINKS BELOW:
► AMAZON BEST SELLING MOVIES: amzn.to/3jWER8t
► MOST POPULAR POSTERS: bit.ly/3s4sTfJ
JOBLO MOVIE NEWS AND REVIEWS:
► www.joblo.com/
JOBLO ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
► JOBLO MOVIE NEWS (FACEBOOK): bit.ly/3bbIFPf
► JOBLO MOVIE TRAILERS (FACEBOOK): bit.ly/3dl9NxS
► HORROR MOVIE TRAILERS (FACEBOOK): bit.ly/3jTWZzX
► ARROW IN THE HEAD HORROR NEWS (FACEBOOK): bit.ly/3aqQ2D8
#TheLastDragon #Taimak #Vanity
Y'all have no idea of the impact this movie had on my life as a kid AND as a young man. Thank you for this!
Bro, this movie is inspiring me NOW. I'm working on a comic influenced by Leroy abd Sho
@@damedan9389 dude 😎 nice
@@damedan9389 don't forget to post it so we could check it out it sounds very cool already
@@damedan9389 wouldn't Leroy be the first to go super saiyan
@@johnlawful2272 second; Shonuff got the glow first
Is this one of the greatest movies to come out of the 80s?!?
SHO NUFF!!!
I watched this movie so much as a kid. When my dad bought his first new Mercedes. The vanity plate read SHONUFF
What made this movie great, rather than corny was the innocence of Taimak and the absolute commitment of Julius to the Shonuff character.
I never thought of that, but you're right. Both of those characters could have been shyte, and the movie could have sucked with just the smallest (...mistake?) by either actor (or if they had been cast differently) but in a movie full of corniness, they made it a story you could really be emotionally invested in and have you cheering by the end.
I was a white kid from the Midwest and I LOVED this movie. Sho nuff was a sensational villan and Busta's music video made me want a reboot with him so bad. The swapping of the black and chinese stereotypes was histerical as well. An absolute classic and Taimak is the master. He really was the perfect casting.
I was a 19 year old kid in BASIC Training and dug the s#!+ out of this too.
Same here, but from upstate NY! Watched it at the friend's house with the dad who always let us watch movies that were not quite age appropriate, lol
@@jefe2112 I was 10 and saw it in the theater, not theaters, there were only 2 in my town at the time, and I can tell you where. . . The ridge road theater on the corner of Cline Ave, and Ridge Road in Griffith indiana at the ZAYER shopping strip. I love this movie. It's "exploitation" in it's budget but it's just a good fun play on popular tropes of the time, but more than that, it wasn't "exploitation" because it was so damn sincere.
It's all love bro......this movie is love universal 💯👊🏾🙌🏾💪🏾✊🏾
Same
The Last Dragon and Big Trouble in Little China were my favorite movies growing up. Both movies had so many amazing quotes.
Another gem from the 80s is Midnight Run. Probably in the top five most quotable movies of all time.
Yo Big Trouble in little China gets watched at least once a year like A Christmas Story.
It's all in the reflexes..
Mine also .. watched them both every week
*The Last Dragon is a real diamond in the ruff. It has heart and soul, comedy, it was kitschy and sincere at the same time, and good action sequences. One of my favorite scenes was so understated but highly integral (spoilers) "it's just a belt buckle". And in the none-condescending way in which it treated the young (child) characters in the movie, gave it that extra touch which really drew me in as a kid myself. It was lighting in a bottle and has a special place in my memory and in time. I wish to offer a personal "thank you" to every member of the cast for making something so special.*
This movie is forever engrained in my mind. I must’ve watched it 300 times
And that's no exaggeration 😂
Loved this movie since I was a kid, damn the 80’s was a great time for cheesy movies.
the Last Dragon is just pure fun. plus Sho'Nuff is an awesome villain. that movie theater scene is great lol
I had the honor of meeting The Master Taimak at nyc comic con one year. He was every bit the legend he is.
OMG!!! You Are So Blessed!!
I know it's a goofy, but I have tried to live by Leeroy Green's example. A good movie, a good character. Great video!
Thats lovey
Not goofy. Good for you. Stay blessed.
As a kid I’d watch this on VHS back to back. YES, that meant waiting for it to rewind back to the beginning. Since then I watch it at least once a year. Just saw it last week. 🤗
Man on errythang tho 🤣
This was a brilliant film, watched it so many times, it had everything.
One of my favorite movies from the 80s. I own it on dvd here in my collection. Vanity was very beautiful back in the day and she was taken from us much too soon. She was great in this and in Action Jackson. RIP Vanity. 😔⚰
Vanity was so beautiful.
Yooo..not for nothin but I found that Vanity starred in an episode of “tales from the dark side” shit blew my mind..RIP Vanity
My mom took me to see this movie on a Friday night in 1985. Just her and I, which was a big deal because I had 4 older brothers and sisters. She passed away 7 years ago and that memory is (oddly I guess) still one of my favorites. Thank you for posting this!
Thats awesome. Sorry for your loss.🙏🏾
I have a similar memory from when I was a kid, except it was with my aunt, and we went to see Aliens.
Not odd at all.
I remember details about the time my Mother took me to see Purple Rain.
The movie literally had EVERYTHING in it, stupid, funny, crazy, serious, spiritual, wisdom, good fights, the fight in all respects between good and evil, love, wholesomeness, etc.
Just a classic...
I grew up on this movie. I had such a crush on Vanity.
We all did
Yes... We... Did.
She’s absolutely stunning. Definitely my first crush.
Yes the whole planet did
She was also in Action Jackson.
I was Bruce Leroy Before the movie came out. Walked around in my martial arts uniform been a lifetime martial artist. This movie spoke to me then and I guess that even today this movie speaks to me.
Favorite movie of all time.
as 10 year old back then i loved this, watched it over and over, it was so cool. Thank you Taimak.
"LEEROY! I got somethin' real fo' yo ass in these hands!" CLASSIC movie with a boss soundtrack!
😂
“Kiss my converse!”
One of the best movies ever made. I love the whole cast and soundtrack.
This movie is one of the most 80s movies to ever be made in the 80s. If you didn't live through it, you cannot really imagine what the slow slide from shows like Soul Train to MTV was like. The Last Dragon embodies that era better than any other movie. I grew up as a poor white kid in the south, so I only saw this once it was on HBO and then it became a personal favorite. Had a copy on SLP VHS back then, I've got my 30th anniversary Blu Ray today. Thanks for this content.
This movie was so awesome as a kid! Damn I wanted sho'nuff jacket so bad!
And the shades
My teacher in HS had the jacket. I was in 9th grade but my teacher was shocked that I knew it. Got a week of homework free lol
This was pure entertainment from beginning to end. I loved this when I was a kid!
I was a little kid in Brooklyn East New York in the 80s. This movie the Last Dragon was so refreshing & inspirational. I wish Taimak a speedy recovery & much success!🙏🏿
Its great to see Taimak is still going on strong, humble as ever.
I want to say I watched this movie around 1988 when it came to our local TV station (channel 11 WPIX in New York City). Fell in love with it instantly.
That’s exactly how I watched it!
@@wilcee238 Yeah I remember the commercials leading up to it and I made sure I was tuned in when it was aired. Great memories!
The old NY Yankees station!
@@Dt.1.KENOBI yes! Loved channel 11
The Last Dragon was Awesome, everyone knows that. I'm fortunate enough to have been a kid in the 80's and seen so many great movies when they came out. 🙏🔊❤️🥋💥
WHO IS THE MASTER?
-- catches punch --
I AM
-- glows --
Legit quote this movie daily haha! I'm so glad you did this!
Our whole family loves this movie and we even got a chance to go to a special screening at our local Alamo theater with Taimak in attendance doing an interview/talkback. Sho Nuff a great flik!
It was well promoted in my city. Saw it in theater with high school friends and watched it often on cable and VHS.
I’m from Guyana, South America and this was the first movie I saw in my life in the theaters. No one owned a tv in my town but there was a cinema. I absolutely love this movie. One of those movies that any remake would fall short of the original.
Taimak still has the glow; a shining, magnificent glow all around him.
"To reach that upper level your mind, body and soul must be one. It's a sacrifice, it takes hard work, it's a way of life." The Glow, from The Last Dragon
So true.
I saw this in the theater as a kid... It was AMAZING!!! I had the GLOW when I left!!!
One of the best, no holds bared, martial arts movies EVER. I saw Police Academy 2, then went and saw this. I couldn't even remember the plot for PA2 for weeks, this movie was so amazing.
The final fight scene between Leeroy and Shogun is probably among the best martial arts smackdowns in history. Adding the glow just raises it to another level.
I'd be all over a sequel with as many actors still alive as possible. A remake, no freaking way.
The Last Dragon is right up there with Enter the Dragon for me, both movies positively affected my childhood giving me inspiration to become a martial artist and to be myself always
Really was a movie that I just felt happy watching every single time as a kid. It just gave you that same energy Leroy had when he would watch Bruce Lee
At this point, I've watched more reviews and retrospectives of this movie than the movie itself.
This movie is a classic. You could literally put this movie in a time capsule to perfectly describe the 80's.
Love this film still to this day. Found the uncut version on iTunes and bought it without a second thought. Underrated classic. FACT
This movie and Bloodsport absolutely rocked my world as a kid. So glad to see so many other fans who appreciate it.
I remember seeing this film in the theater and absolutely loved it!
That is why the 80's was a great decade in our country's history. My favorite.
Who's the master?
Sho'nuff!
I love me some Bruce Leroy. He catched bullets... with his TEETH!
Nigga please...
I saw this twice in the theater as a kid. Loved the hell out of it.
I have always loved this movie and still watch it every once in a while.
I had such a crush on Laura Charles. This is such a brilliant movie that I've watched over 40 times. I started learning Martial Arts because of this movie. Great sound track, great lyrics, great cast. I wish there was a part 2 or Taimak in other movies
I LOVED LOVED LOVED this movie! It really was the first time I looked up and saw someone on the screen who looked like me! I admired and was inspired by Billy Dee Williams and John Amos, for sure, but I didn't really look like them. But Taimak or "Bruce Leeroy"... yeah, I could point and say, "he's like me!" Watershed moment for me and helped me a lot in my life.
I absolutely love this movie. So much nostalgia.
Now I will have The last dragon song stuck in my head all day. Love it
''you are the Last Dragon, you possess the power of the glow...of glow... boom, boom'' (don't forget to do the shoulder turns) 😉
@@deecee9548 Shonuff: Lerrooyyyy!!
For up tempo, it has to be The Glow. The song that really touched me, was Give Me Your Love by Alfie Silas, which ISN'T on the soundtrack, well not the LP version I got hold of here in the UK. Even as a approx ten year old that didn't understand romance, I still thought it was absolutely beautiful. And the scene where Leroy does his little "happy jig" at getting his medal back, to when he bolts out of Laura's apartment when things might get steamy, is one of the magical moments of the movie.
@@Alexvander10 Get up Leroy! I got something real for your ass in these hands! My part right there😆🔥💯
NOW WHO... IS THE MASTAA?
Absolute classic. Love this movie
greatest movie of all time
Sho Nuff !!!!
Bruce Leroy is how I got into martial arts. Now I'm a 40 year old man with a broken body, winter pain, neck issues, joint problems... and great memories
GREAT editing on this RUclips video my guy! I love how you edited parts of the film around your comparison of Taimak to Leroy.
OK, I paused video at the start to say this is one of my all time favourites! Fell in love with Taimak so wanted to be Vanity. Great childhood times! I still have the VHS cassette from recording it off the TV, just no VHS player now lol
That is so freaking funny I have it recorded also and who owns a VHS player anymore , I sho nuff don't.
@@feck2594 I see what you did there haha
He still has the Glow!
Thank you for profiling this film. It had a big impact on me, as a shy young adult trying to navigate a world where I sometimes still had to deal with bullies. Studying Tai-Chi for 5 years (1985-1990) helped me feel more centered and less affected by outside forces and opinions. Sorry to learn Taimak had health issues. Happy he's okay now.
HE AINT NO CORNBALL….he’s my brother and he’s the master
Classic 😅👊🏿💯
Love this movie and everything about it. Huge impact on my childhood and pure love for martial arts movies as a whole.
This one has been a favorite of mine and my family's for years. (And one of my late father's personal favs.) I'm so glad you're finally highlighting this forgotten gem, and I'm glad to know that Taimak is as sweet and charming in real life as his onscreen character. =)
Wanna keep *Glowing* fan animated series on route ruclips.net/user/DAETRIX
The lil brother character is Epic! Really the whole cast/production was a perfect storm. Saw in theaters. Instant Cult Classic! Instantly re-enacted and quoted by the general public!
Poplocking his way outta the rope😂
I was 8 when the Last Dragon came out. That year I started Karate. Later added Teakwondo and Kickboxing, way later MMA to the mix. The movie, as cheesy as it may seem for today's audience, might have changed my life. Of course there were other influences during that time with Karate Kid and such. But damn, The Last Dragon stuck with me. Still love rewatching it. And I'm still in love with beautiful Vanity.. may she rest in peace. Fun fact: In Germany the movie's called "Der Tanz des Drachen" which translates to "The Dance of the Dragon." I think, it's pretty appropriate considering the amount of dancing and music in the movie 😎
I grew up in the 80s as a kid watching this on hbo , it was always on , and I loved it !
I LOVE THIS MOVIE SO MUCH!! I'VE SEEN IT COUNTLESS TIMES !
My favorite part of this movie is when Leroy fights Sho'nuff but sho'nuff starts glowing with the power of Leroy. His face of shock and fear was such an underrated moment. Up until that moment he believed his powers came from his virtue and uprightness but to feel betrayed by seeing his antithesis have the same powers by following the opposite path. I can't remember seeing such a crisis of faith in a hero conveyed like that.
Yeah that's my favorite part aswell when shonuff yells leroy's name after Leroy thought he defeated shonuff and says play time is over boy and he's just there glowing and the music that's playing just get me in the feels
Whats amazing about that is, the red glow, symbol of the red dragon. Red representative of anger, hatred and greed. A hot color.
When Leroy became aware that HE was the master. The true dragon. He glowed blue.
Blue representative of Justice, Virtue and Peace. Blue is a cool color. The Blue Dragon.
The ying and the yang. Each can not exist with out the other.
@@michaelross1452 facts your right that's even why shonuff hand was the only thing that was glowing but Leroys whole body was glowing because he had the real glow that's what Leroy was trying to explain to shonuff in the theater in the beginning of the movie but shonuff wasn't trying to hear nothing it was all foreshadowed even Bruce leroy catches a bullet with his teeth towards the end of the movie just like shonuff said aswell
@@brandonjackson3641 Bruh when I heard "Playtimes over boy" the first time it sent chills up my spine.
This film had one of the best genuine build ups to a final fight. Sho Nuff was so such an ass and Leroy was so devout in not fighting and it just felt awesome when he finally faced him.
He was a simple...he didn't mind fighting for Laura Charles...3 times..
As a kid who was born in Florida and lived in NJ for about 5yrs, I used to love watching this on TNT or TBS during black history month when they played it constantly. As a 38 man STILL loves and watches this movie at least once a yr. Sho'nuff is the greatest and one of the most hilarious and qouteable villains of all time.
Also as to the cheese and corniness of this movie, yes it is excessive and it is what makes this movie some damn amazing. If u don't have a good time watching this movie, i don't know what is wrong with u as a human and don't need that kind of negativity in my life.
It took way to long for you to cover this timeless classic lol. I LOVE this movie , my kid's ( 13 and 16 year old boy's) watched it with me about a week ago . I was surprised how much they liked it . So it proves to stand the test of time.
😊😊😊
I saw it in the theater when I was a kid. Loved it.
I STILL have this DVD. Absolutely one of my favorites.
My childhood grew up with this movie just good fun entertainment 9/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This movie is in my top 5. It was fun and hilarious. "Sees Leroy in ninja suit" Who's this guy? We didn't order out! or "Aint no master here, aint no slaves either" lol
This was hands down one of my favorite movies as a kid and I still enjoy it and the soundtrack to this day
When I first saw this movie, I was a little kid and took it pretty seriously, until the glow and catching the bullet in the teeth. I thought that was so over the top, and I LOVED it. Own the movie. Seen it countless times. I even own a shirt with Bruce Leeroy (with the glow) and Sho Nuff facing off like they were characters in a Mortal Kombat game. When somebody recognizes the characters, I know they're awesome. They're instant friends in my book!
Kiss my Chuck Taylor's 😆😂
I have Taimak's autograph 8x10 the scene where he gets the glow catches the fist Sho Nuff is saying who is the master & Bruce Leroy says I am the master. Looking up at that kept me going through the hardest part of the lockdown. Most inspiring scene in all of cinema. Love how Sealab 2021 parodied it.
This is my favorite movie of all time. Since I was like 5. I can quote the whole movie.
Still to this day , when people ask me things I respond sho nuff . My kids and I watched it a little bit back and found myself saying the lines throughout the whole movie.
Same here..I got a friend named Leroy...I'm constantly like "Hey Leroy."...lol
Hell Yess!!! Same Here!
Five years ago during Christmas time at the job I had , I bought a copy for all the employees of about 40 employees (ages ranging from 18 to fifty ) and I kid you not about 65% of them liked it . Some had already seen it and always liked it . I think that says something about how good it is .
@@feck2594 only 65%...that's a trashy...I expected at least 80%...
Sho 'Nuff is THE most underrated villan of the 80s...just an amazing character!
Hey who doesn't love Sho Nuff !!!!!💪😎
@@randybarnett2308 a few folks I've met...but more often it's just folks haven't heard of him! He should be up there with Darth Vader & Freddy Krueger in my opinion.
@@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145 I agree Sho Nuff !!!!
I gotta watch it again for the billionth time!!!!
This was my favorite movie as a kid. Enough said.
This is the earliest movie I remember as a child. Love this movie still to this day
I just watched this for the first time in years with my mom a few days ago… A CLASSIC!
Childhood favorite of mine. Seen it hundreds of times. The perfect 80's movie.
OMG. Thank you. This movie changed my life and is one of my favorites.
Really Great job and tribute to the greatest Motown meets Martial Arts movie of all time! Thanks for including one of my pics and video clips. I’m the other guy standing with Glen Eaton, Ernie Reyes Jr and Taimak when you’re talking about what Glen Eaton is doing now. 😎🙌🏽
Hello, I'm the writer/editor of this video. Thank you so much for putting that event together! It was great to see them celebrate the movie and was such an amazing resource of information! I just had to give your content some love!
Taimak is so nice. I was so excited to interview him close to 10 years ago for Nerd Caliber (dressed as GIJoe’s Wild Bill) and he was great. The best part was when he let (and joined in) me sing “The Glow” song 😂❤
Loved this movie as a kid. The end where the song kicks up about the last dragon and him getting the glow still gets me. Corny but loved it as a kid.
BTW, I eat popcorn with chopstick like chip tongs.
I saw this when I was 11 in the movie theater. I loved it.
I eat popcorn with chopsticks too 😂 it’s how I learned to use them then I just stuck with it 😂
As someone who is Chinese and Black... Seeing this in the theater as a child was beyond awesome. ❤❤❤
Needs to be a sequel, sadly we wont get some of the cast back but they should make a story where we get to see The Next Dragon....I still love this movie to this day.
I freaking love the last dragon! I have it on DVD
My Dad took me to see this in the theater as a kid and I loved it. The action, special effects, soundtrack were all amazing. I have a VHS, DVD, and Blu-Ray copy of the film. The Soundtrack on my phone. A friend of mine was able to get my DVD copy and a picture personally autographed for me at a Con. My same buddy called me from the same Con and I had the privilege to talk with Taimak, super nice guy. He had mentioned the possibility of the remake with Samuel Jackson. Knowing he has an Autobiography now, I may have to pick that up. Great Video, thanks!!
The book dedicates a whole chapter to the behind the scenes on the film and worth a read. As far as that remake that maybe done, but a proposed continuation aka Cobrak Kai style maybe in the works…
Absolutely loved this Movie .. I don’t think there is any movie that I’ve seen more than this one
My Papaw loved this movie. Watched it so many times with him on the weekends.
I watched this movie in the 80s, I was a child, I loved it, and it was part of what made me want to study martial arts, next to every other MA movie of the time like the karate kid or the perfect weapon.
This film is as much about a time and a place as it is creative lightning in a bottle. I used to love renting it from the video store as part of “the sleepover trilogy”: tLD, the Golden Child and Big Trouble In Little China. Being all that, it’s not a film that could be replicated, rebooted or revisited as a sequel as times are far to cynical now.
Oh wow you mentioned The Golden Child lol. Never hear anyone talk about it anymore. One of Eddie's most underrated movies along with Metro.
Love this movie! as good as No Retreat No Surrender!
People don't know about the early days of Van Damme...that was my movie...
TIAMAK SALUTE 2 U MY DUDE GREATEST PERFORMANCE 1 OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITES BLESSINGS!!![999]
NY whiteboy from the 80's here. The Last Dragon is still one of my fav movies to this day and will never change.
My brother and I watched this all the time when we were kids.