Back in the 1980s and ’90s, local TV stations in the US had a very specific rotation of films to air on a Sunday afternoon. Red Sonja and WarGames are just two of the films that gained cult followings thanks to generous repetition on weekend TV. Barry Gordy’s The Last Dragon is another of those comfy mid-80s films and, thanks to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, the film lives again in a 4K UHD presentation we think will change people’s memories of watching it on broadcast in the 20th Century. SPHE was kind enough to send us a review copy, so let’s dig in.
The film itself is a charming mixture of martial arts, mid-80s New York, and Motown’s stable of artists at the time. Gordy, the film’s producer, was also the founder of the famed record label and had access to talent like Smokey Robinson, DeBarge, and the recently signed Vanity to give the film its unique soundscape. Meanwhile, director Michael Schultz – as he explains on the Blu-ray commentary – read Louis Venosta‘s script and immediately vibed with its desire to create a Black superhero via the writer’s memories of watching Kung-fu movies in his younger days.
Consequently, he creates a heightened fantasy New York where lead character Leroy Green (Taimak), aka Bruce Leroy, can wander Manhattan in the sort of traditional Chinese garb you might see Bruce Lee or Gordon Liu sporting in one of their films and not seem wholly out of place. Indeed, his primary opponent, the legendary Sho’nuff (Julius J. Carry III), roams Harlem in costumes that can only be described as a cross between hockey equipment and the thinnest memory of watching Seven Samurai.
But that fusion and normalizing of various cultures is key to the film’s success as Leroy seeks out a new master to become the Last Dragon while also attracting the attention of local TV star Laura Charles (Vanity). As a lead, Taimak is surprising. He is soft spoken and never uses a contraction, but his commitment – both as the character and in his performance – is another of the film’s charms. Also, his abilities as a martial artist cannot be undersold; note the demonstration of his skills as the opening credits play. He looks great. Vanity, meanwhile, is a great co-lead even if Taimak’s innocence makes her come off as a much more experienced and mature person. Nevertheless, the characters are a likable pair and their emerging relationship is another of the key underpinnings that make the film an enjoyable romp.
If it isn’t clear, The Last Dragon is a lot of fun things wrapped in a cozy 80s shine made all the more impressive in its 4K UHD presentation. The clarity is amazing with the blues of the titles featuring a fidelity it likely has not enjoyed since film prints first arrived in theaters. See also the pop of “The Glow” when Leroy and Sho’nuff access the higher realms of martial arts proficiency. Contrast is also nice, with a new depth to the shadows – something one can see by loading the accompanying Blu-ray disc, which utilizes the previous remaster and comes off a lot softer and muddier than the 4K upgrade.
As the Blu-ray is Sony’s previous Last Dragon release, it comes with the existing special features, a making-of retrospective with sound bites from Schultz, Venosta, Gordy, Taimak, and a few others from the production. It’s a charming enough featurette, if a little dated. Schultz, meanwhile, offers more insights via an audio commentary. It’s quite informative, but we will warn anyone who listens to do so early in their day. The director’s voice can lull anyone to sleep if they put that commentary on at, say, 10pm.
By contract, the 4K UHD disc’s sole extra is a boisterous fan commentary from comedian Amber Ruffin and author Lacey Lamar. It is in no way informative, but the pair recreate the sensation of sitting down to The Last Dragon with friends who grew up watching it whenever it aired. Although, as they constantly note, the rules of audio commentaries prohibit them from singing along to DeBarge’s “Rhythm of the Night” and the other songs. The end result, though, is a curiously fun experience.
But we have to admit, the greatest feature of all on the new release is the 4K presentation itself. It’s a dramatic upgrade in terms of picture and sound that will change one’s memories of watching the film on a 15″ CRT television and, maybe, deepen their appreciation of a singular 80s classic.
Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon is available now on 4K.
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