Berry’s Gordy’s 1985 film The Last Dragon is forever cemented as a cult classic. The film was a unique take on the uber-popular blaxploitation movie genre at the time and blended it with other flavors and styles like martial arts, hip-hop, and musicals.
The Last Dragon demonstrates a true call to Black excellence in film before the term became a popular online hashtag, with a film centered around a Black martial arts hero from a major studio release — a first at the time.
At a time when martial arts films were dominated by Asian cinema or white American appropriations, Berry Gordy produced a film that said Black people could be kung fu masters too—and do it with style. Bruce Leroy became a rare example of a Black protagonist in a genre film who wasn't defined by struggle, poverty, or urban hardship, but by discipline, spirituality, and self-improvement.
With The Last Dragon returning to theaters to celebrate the classic film’s 40th anniversary, we take a look back at the the 25 most iconic moments from The Last Dragon that still hit different.
Berry Gordy's 'The Last Dragon' Returns to Theaters to Celebrate 40th Anniversary
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One of the most pivotal moments in the film, setting Leroy on a path to, essentially, discover his "why." In a roundabout way, the man lowkey told Leroy that he, himself is his own master and that his true power lies within. Absolute cinema.
"Kiss my Converse"
In a tense, and comical, confrontation between Leroy Green and Sho’Nuff, the Shogun of Harlem, the later’s cronies attempt to break Leroy. As the grunts continue to get our hero to bend the knee, Sho’Nuff delivers his classic line: “Kiss My Converse!”
Defeating Sho'nuff
To defeat Sho'nuff, Leroy Green must overcome him by tapping into his own inner power, not by looking for it outside himself. During their final battle, Leroy realizes that he already possesses the "Final Level" of mastery, which allows his body to emit a golden glow. This inner strength and faith in his own abilities are what ultimately enable him to overpower and defeat Sho'nuff.
The Music Video Aesthetic
Frequent transitions to music video sequences for songs like "Rhythm of the Night" embrace the MTV era fully. These aren't just soundtrack moments but integral to the film's visual language, blending narrative cinema with the emerging music video format.
The Pizza Confrontation
Leroy's refusal to fight when provoked at a pizza joint shows his discipline and restraint. His attempts to peacefully resolve conflict while clearly capable of dominating physically demonstrate the martial arts philosophy of fighting as a last resort, making him a more complex hero.
Richie Green's Comic Relief
Leo O'Brien as Bruce's younger brother Richie provides leveling humor throughout the movie. And the humor is right at home in this 80's camp classic. His entrepreneurial schemes, modern sensibilities, and gentle mockery of his brother's dedication create family dynamics that ground the fantastic elements in relatable sibling relationships. Rest in peace to Leo O'Brien.
Ni**a Please
I mean lmaooooo yeah, bro. Hilariously iconic.
Movie Theater Brawl
Leroy takes on a gang in a movie theater while a Bruce Lee film plays in the background. The meta-commentary of watching kung fu while doing kung fu, combined with the popcorn-strewn battlefield, makes this fight scene both playful and thrilling. It demonstrates Leroy's reluctance to fight while proving his abilities.
Achieving The Glow
Leroy's transformation during the final fight when he finally achieves the golden glow is the film's visual climax. His body radiating light as he realizes his full potential delivers on the mystical promise, providing a satisfying payoff to his spiritual journey.
Catches Bullets With His Teeth????
During a movie theater confrontation, Sho'nuff presses Bruce Leroy about the "Superman stories" regarding his strength and martial arts prowess. Amid the questioning, the Shogun of Harlem wonders about Leroy about allegedly catching bullets with his teeth before dismissing it altogether with a stern, "NI**A PLEASE." Man make sure y'all watch this movie today for old time's sake.