Movie · 1985 · Action, Adventure, Music, Comedy, Drama · 1h 49m · PG-13 · English
Curator score: 2.2/10 (19.5K ratings)
His family thinks he's crazy. His enemies think he's no challenge. But she knows he's THE LAST DRAGON.
Overview
A young man searches for the "master" to obtain the final level of martial arts mastery known as the glow. Along the way he must fight an evil martial arts expert and rescue a beautiful singer from an obsessed music promoter.
Ratings
Curator score: 2.2/10
IMDb: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 57%
Metacritic: 59
TMDB: 6.5/10
Director
Michael Schultz
Production
TriStar Pictures, Motown Productions, Tri-Star-Delphi III Productions
Cast
Taimak, Vanity, Christopher Murney, Julius Carry, Faith Prince, Leo O'Brien, Mike Starr, Jim Moody, Glen Eaton, Ernie Reyes Jr., Queen Esther Marrow, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Jamal Mason, B.J. Barie, André D. Brown, David Claudio, Kirk Taylor, Sal Russo, Chazz Palminteri, Frank Renzulli
Curator Review
Verdict
A wildly entertaining 80s mashup of martial-arts fantasy, music-video style, and camp comedy. It’s uneven, but the charisma, fashion, soundtrack energy, and memorable villain make it a cult favorite that still plays well for the right audience.
Best for
fans of campy 80s genre hybrids
viewers who like martial arts movies with a playful tone
people who enjoy stylish fashion, music, and dance in action films
cult-movie fans looking for a quotable crowd-pleaser
Skip if
you want tightly disciplined action choreography over spectacle
you dislike broad camp or cheesy dialogue
you prefer grounded drama without musical/comic detours
you’re not in the mood for an unabashedly goofy cult film
Overview
The Last Dragon is one of those movies that feels like it was assembled from pure late-night TV joy: kung fu, pop music, romance, neon style, and a villain who knows he’s the main event. It’s messy in places, but the movie’s confidence is part of the appeal. Every scene seems determined to be memorable, whether through a fight, a joke, or a costume that could only exist in 1985.
Worth noting
What makes it endure is how sincerely it treats its own absurdity. The film is a tribute to martial-arts mythmaking, but it’s also a celebration of Black youth culture, performance, and swagger. That blend gives it a personality most genre films don’t have, and it helps the lighter romance and coming-of-age thread land with more charm than you’d expect.
Bottom line
It’s not a precision machine, and some of the comedy and plotting are very much of their era. But if you want a movie that feels like a party with fists, synths, and attitude, this is an easy recommendation. The best way to watch it is with a crowd, or at least with the volume up.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Patrick Willems (3.5★) · 735 likes
This movie has a montage where the villain holds auditions for henchmen who all have their own gimmick, special ability, and resume. This movie is good.
ScottMescudi84 (5★) · 287 likes
My favorite movie of all time. I watched this as a kid and was obsessed. Its still something I watch here and there. Truly fun ride. The music, THE FASHION, the action, all these elements make it a great film from the 80s. HIGHLY recommend. Like, u have to see this one.
SilentDawn (3★) · 250 likes
58
Less a movie about martial-arts genre fare than the cross-cultural influence it brought to black audiences. Fun and campy, and respectful of Bruce Lee's mythology as an icon.
swag (4★) · 228 likes
If The Last Dragon were a cocktail, this would be the recipe
1 pt Afro-Kung Fu1 pt autistic cutie-patootie love story1/2 pt 1980's music video
Shake and enjoy!
God this movie was so silly and fun! I had an absolute blast. It's got a great ensemble cast and all the characters are shockingly well written. Leroy is such a great and unique protagonist, his quirks and commitment to kung fu are sweet, and even though he does everything… more
Matthew B. (3.5★) · 216 likes
Is it campy?
Sho’nuff!
Is it dated?
Sho’nuff!
It it exploitative?
Sho’nuff!
Is it predictable?
Sho’nuff!
Is it awesome, kickass, and a lot of fun?
Sho’nuff!