THE LAST DRAGON

US, 1985, 109 minutes, Colour.
Taimak, Vanity.
Directed by Michael Schultz.

The Last Dragon is an 'instant' movie. It was devised by Motown Enterprises and by founder/executive Berry Gordy. It capitalises on Motown's reputation for music and stars.

The female star is Vanity. She acts as the host of a television video show - an opportunity for many video clips, including 'Rhythm of the Night'. She is also the victim of a mad producer who wants his girlfriend (with no talent) to be a star. The action includes kidnapping Vanity and holding her to ransom. The film relies on the manic style for presenting the villain and his villainous deeds.

However, the hero is Timak, a genial black martial arts student who is near to becoming a master of the arts. He dresses as a Chinese and is full of oriental politeness. The film is also non-violent. He falls in love with Vanity and, needless to say, ultimately rescues her. There is the background of his oriental master (a steal straight out of The Karate Kid), his love for Bruce Lee movies (an opportunity for adding in some sequences from Lee's films) and antagonises a giant leader of a slum group. There is also a pleasant black family with a precocious young brother.

The ingredients are all stirred, predictably but enjoyably, and there is a finale with bone-crunching and pleasant romance.

The kind of film made by American executives for tile instant popular young audience of the '80s. Not good, not bad.