The Last Dragon is an 80s kung fu film that has developed a cult following outside of the martial arts entertainment genre. On the surface, Bruce Leroy is a martial artist on a quest, seeking the powers of The Glow. His journey for mastery is a journey that many heroes and heroines have taken before him, Bruce Leroy is the hero with a thousand faces.
By Clarke Illmatical
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Thirteen years ago I met Bruce Leroy in Times Square. He didn’t have any chopsticks. However, he rapped when we sat for coffee. He glowed as we built, providing the high science behind the origins of our favorite film.
He explained that “The Glow” was not exclusive to his journey. It was a power shared by every great hero in every great story. He also told me that the powers of The Glow, they were accessible, they were inside of me. I left that meeting enlightened and determined to find the powers of The Final Level.
Let me reminisce.
Louis Venosta
It was 2007 and the Internet was still much younger then. We were in the Myspace era and Tom added everyone as a friend. Back then, like many fans of The Last Dragon, whenever that Tristar horse galloped, or when Bruce Leroy and Laura Charles elevated in 7th Heaven, I wondered about the sequel we never got, and I somehow felt we all deserved.
An IMDB group allowed me to ponder with others. A super fan sent a few tracks from the soundtrack and even told me that Taimak had tried to pitch the sequel to Sony with a writing friend. For whatever reason, the project didn’t glow.
IMDB said a guy named Louis Venosta was the writer behind the film. At the time, I was still very young with my pen, but I figured that this Venosta guy could help or possibly explain why there wasn’t a part two. In the back of my mind, truthfully, I thought that I could harness the powers of The Glow and write the sequel myself.
The director’s cut of The Last Dragon, mentions that Louis Venosta was a dancer who appeared in Fame, and he wrote the script in one month. I figured that if a dancer could write the story in one month, so could I.
I searched for his contact info.
You know how Google returns like 10 pages of results and most of the time, we never go past page 2? Well for whatever reason, I did. Let’s say it was page 7, and there, for some strange reason, there was a broken IMDB link that had Mr. Venosta’s private number.
IMDB listed a few writing creds. I envisioned him as some bitter Black guy who was an alcoholic in some apartment that was smaller and dingier than my pad in East New York at the time. We emailed and eventually spoke on the phone.
He said he wasn’t Black per se, but multi-racial. He also mentioned that he was a professional writer with a ton of credits that didn’t make IMDB. Imagine that. The conversation turned towards our favorite film and he explained that over the years, he occasionally entertained the thought of penning the sequel.
We agreed to meet.
We met in Times Square. He looked multiracial. He explained how the script came into fruition and that he actually wrote it in two months. He also pointed out that he had extensive literary experience before he wrote it and had an agent. I shared some ideas about a possible sequel and then he mystically presented a question to me:
“Do you know what The Last Dragon is about?”
I had an idea, but truthfully, I did not really know. He explained that the film was really about the master within. He also shared a conversation that he had with Taimak. He was aware that the martial arts actor had tried to create the sequel without him.
They had a phone discussion, and Venosta explained that he was actually Bruce Leroy since he created the story. Kinda like, Mark Hamill is Luke Skywalker, but George Lucas is also Luke Skywalker and all the other fly shit that comes out of the Star Wars universe.
We built for more than 30 minutes. I shared some ideas about how I saw the sequel coming together. He entertained my creativity and encouraged me. He inquired about my writing experience and I told him that I had only written articles for a few small papers and interned at a magazine at that time.
Then, he directed me towards a book that changed my life’s trajectory.
Venosta explained that Hero With A Thousand Faces, by writer and scholar Joseph Campbell, was one of the most integral books for fiction writers. It touched the souls of some of the greatest storytellers, including the Master Skywalker himself, who Campbell often referred to as his greatest student.
The meeting ended. Venosta told me that I should keep writing. I did.
It was a tremendous boost and I never looked back. After that meeting and over the next few months, I devoured all of Campbell’s books. After doing so, I realized that The Last Dragon was built upon the same principles as so many of my favorite stories, whether they were in print or film.
The film has developed a cult following over the years because the core elements of the story, the hero and his adventure, it has been retold for centuries. The protagonist is symbolic, a metaphor disguised for the narrative, and intended to mean more.
Bruce Leroy’s journey is no different than Dorothy’s journey to Oz, Daniel Laruso becoming the Karate Kid, Neo becoming The One, Alita realizing she was a Battle Angel and Luke becoming a Jedi. Most often, these stories resonate with us, because they reflect our journey in life, helping us make sense of the world around us.
Fast forward till the now.
The universe encouraged me to return to Campbell’s work last year, and a modern-day take on the hero’s journey, entitled The Writer’s Journey, by Christopher Vogler. I reflected on both books and Bruce Leroy’s story.
The Hero with 1,000 Faces
“It has always been the prime function of mythology and rite to supply the symbols that carry the human spirit forward. The hero, therefore, is the man or woman who has been able to battle past his personal and local historical limitations to the generally valid, normally human forms. Such a one’s visions, ideas, inspirations come pristine from the primary springs of human life and thought. Hence they are eloquent, not of the present, disintegrating society, and psyche, but of the unquenched source through which society is reborn.” – Campbell
Yeah, so basically what Joseph Cambell was saying, is that the hero is important to the spirit of humanity. The hero takes the viewer on a journey, and they experience an evolution of the human spirit. Campbell also outlined the journey of the hero in his book, as seen in this picture:
Vogler’s book simplified Campbell’s journey and has become required reading for all writers who want to reach the final level in Hollywood.
The Ordinary World
“A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder…” – Campbell
When our favorite film begins, it is apparent that Bruce Leroy has tremendous martial arts ability, and is somewhat comfortable in his environment. While training with his master, he is presented with a new task or journey.
Similarly, in The Matrix, Neo is a successful computer programmer who doesn’t seem to have a purpose. During the first act of Star Wars: A New Hope, it is clear that Luke Skywalker had some piloting skills. However, there was a yearning for something more, a change from the routine of the farm life on Tatooine.
Truthfully, the yearning for a new life is what draws us to these characters. They have a desire that we can relate to. We all desire to do new things, and the stories we enjoy often encourage us to take the call.
Campbell explained saying “The people, the tribes, the groups and the clans of the world keep heroic mythos alive—keep stories important to the soul alive—by telling them, and then by trying to live them out in some way that brings one into more wisdom and experience than one had before. The same is given to us to do on our life’s journeys also—to seek and follow the personal life myth, to see our worst and best attributes mirrored back to us in stories.”
Vogler added on saying “But there are as many stories that take the hero on an inward journey, one of the mind, the heart, the spirit. In any good story the hero grows and changes, making a journey from one way of being to the next: from despair to hope, weakness to strength, folly to wisdom, love to hate, and back again. It’s these emotional journeys that hook an audience and make a story worth watching.”
The Call To Adventure
“This first stage of the mythological journey—which we have designated the “call to adventure”—signifies that destiny has summoned the hero and transferred his spiritual center of gravity from within the pale of his society to a zone unknown.” – Campbell
In The Last Dragon, The Call to Adventure happens when Bruce Leroy’s master sets him on a quest to find Sum Dum Goy. Luke’s world of farming is changed when he receives a message from Princess Leia.
In the 80s fantasy film Willow, the protagonist is set on a journey after an abandoned baby is found in his village. Similarly, in many martial arts films, The Call To Adventure begins with the protagonist’s parents or teacher being killed.
In the martial arts video game Shenmue, the protagonist, Ryo, begins his journey when he sees his father get killed by a man named Lan Di, who is after a treasure called “The Dragon Mirror.”
Refusal of The Call
“Some other influence — a change in circumstances, a further offense against the natural order of things, or the encouragement of a Mentor — is required to get her past this turning point of fear.” – Vogler
Most hero stories begin with some type of hesitation or reluctance. These heroes often do not want to set out on their quest. They do not believe that they have the talent to proceed.
What is really happening is that they are comfortable. Psychologically or subconsciously, this is what connects viewers or readers to these characters. They represent us. Are we going to take their journey for the next phase of life?
Bruce Leroy does not want to take the journey. He insists that he needs more time to prepare and his master, painfully rebukes his student and sends him off on his own. Truthfully, this quality is mirrored in Luke Skywalker. When Obi-Wan first asks him to join him, to learn the force and go to Alderan, Luke tells him that it is too far. Obi-Wan knows that thinking comes from his uncle, but also from Luke’s fear and self-doubt.
This quality of fear in our hero is probably the most attractive to those who enjoy stories. Everyone can relate to fear. Our journeys, whether it is a new job, moving to a new location, or even new relationships, they take a significant amount of courage. As powerful as he was, Bruce Leroy did not want to start a new journey, and definitely not alone.
Meeting With The Mentor
The repeating characters of world myth such as the young hero, the wise old man or woman, the shapeshifter, and the shadowy antagonist are the same as the figures who appear repeatedly in our dreams and fantasies. – Vogler
In myths, there is a mystical character who guides the hero. In The Matrix, Morpheus guides Neo spiritually and mentally. Obi-Wan guides Luke and remains with him even in a spiritual form. In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy receives advice from Glinda the Good Witch of the South.
The old man or the old master is a metaphor. It is usually a more experienced person who has some level of mastery or wisdom, guiding the protagonists in the correct direction or even providing them with some training. This person is often some type of hermit, or lives alone, adding to their aura of mystique.
An obvious modern mystic or mentor would have to be Gandalf. He’s a mentor who guides Frodo along and helps him understand the powers of the ring that has been given to him.
The mentor also provides the hero with an amulet, sword, or token. In The Last Dragon, Bruce Leroy is ostensibly entrusted with Bruce Lee’s medallion, which he believes will enable him to find the master.
In Star Wars, the gift from the mentor to mentee is the lightsaber. In The Neverending Story, Atreyu is entrusted with The Auryn, an amulet that guides and protects him on his journey.
During the film Krull, Price Colwyn is advised by the Ynyr ‘The Old One.’ Colwyn is told that he needs the powers of a weapon known as ‘The Glaive’ if he is going to save his bride.
Although Shaka Zulu is a real person, the 1980s TV series, included a fictional tale, about Shaka’s quest to become king. During his journey, he is guided by witches and seeks out “The Nameless One” who provides him with a magical spear that will help him on his journey.
In The Karate Kid, the mentor is Mr. Miyagi. When Daniel begins his training, he is given a bandana, which becomes his token used to further his journey. It’s symbolic because it is provided when his relationship with Mr. Miyagi develops. An additional point, made in this film, is that the hero’s mentor does not have to be perfect. Mr. Miyagi transitions from mentor to friend during their relationship and it becomes apparent that he has his own demons.
In the book, The Count of Monte Cristo, the protagonist Edmond Dantès, is mentored by Abbe Faria, who educates him over the course of several years while in prison. The Abbe, helps Edmond think critically about things that have happened to him, placing him in the predicament he is in. The mentors in stories often help readers or viewers understand the need for seeking out a mentor when we are stuck at certain phases of our life. These mentors often help the hero because they may seek redemption or have developed sympathy for others after experiencing a number of hardships.
I won’t lie, after meeting with Venosta, I carried around a physical copy of Hero with a Thousand Faces for almost a year. The book became my sword, or my token, enabling me on my quest.
Crossing The First Threshold
“Now the hero finally commits to the adventure and fully enters the Special World of the story for the first time by Crossing the First Threshold. He agrees to face the consequences of dealing with the problem or challenge posed in the Call to Adventure.” – Vogler
In the Last Dragon, Bruce Leroy heads out on his adventure, guided by an amulet. He doesn’t know where to begin, but he agrees to the voyage. Again, the attraction that so many fans have, with Bruce Leroy, regardless of gender or ethnicity is his voyage. He’s decided to “go for it” and he doesn’t know where his journey will take him.
Real talk, as I write this article, and reflect on the journey I’ve made over the last 13 years since meeting Venosta, I would have never guessed that I’d publish my own comic, live in six countries, and work in the film industry. You don’t know where the journey will take you. You have an idea, but the path isn’t certain.
During the well known, 2005 Stanford Commencement speech, Steve Jobs mentioned that going forward, he could not see the path of the journey, which would lead him to success. Looking back, he connected the dots.
He also referenced The Whole Earth Catalog, and on the back of the final issue, there was an image of a dirt road, that included an inspiring message, encouraging people to take their own personal journey in life.
In The Last Dragon, Bruce Leroy starts out on his journey and there is a shot of a bridge in the distance, visually signifying that he is entering a world of the unknown. A similar shot can be seen in Willow, where a bridge signifies a physical crossing into another world.
In the 90s film Far and Away, starring Tom Cruise, the protagonist breaks ties with his family, and his village, setting off on a dirt road to another world.
In so many films, the crossing of the threshold begins with a flight or train trip. They are easy symbols that signify a journey or a trip taken to somewhere we have not been.
Test, Allies, and Enemies
Vogler and Campbell point out that a number of new characters are encountered when the hero begins his journey. These people actually allow the character to develop because they present the character with tests that develop his personality.
As Bruce Leroy sets out on his journey, he encounters Laura Charles. She’s an ally and plays the role of a “Temptress.” She assists him and also challenges him with an amorous relationship. One of the most endearing qualities of Bruce Leroy was his awkwardness with the ladies. All guys have kind of been there at one point and this is what makes him so relatable.
Similarly, in Alita Battle Angel, the heroine is on a journey to find out more about herself. She encounters Hugo, a male, who tempts and almost stumbles her with love.
An obvious group of allies are the Scarecrow, Lion, and Tin-man that Dorothy meets while the journey to Oz.
Sho’nuff and Eddie Arcadian are enemies who are actually figures who provide Bruce Leroy with obstacles to conquer his fear and obtain The Glow. However, they both dislike or want to stop Bruce Leroy for their own selfish reasons.
These characters are relatable because as we grow in life, we’re presented with real-life enemies, who show hate or envy, and will use any methods to stop us. The questions presented to the hero, heroine or to any of us: Will we continue the journey? Will we succumb to negativity, hatred?
Richie is also a constant nuisance in the film, and he tests his brother’s patience and morality. Richie is symbolic of personal family and friends who may try and talk us out of going after our dreams because they cannot see our talent. Although powerful and skilled as a fighter, Bruce Leroy never resorts to bullying or trying to intimidate his brother, which also makes him an endearing character.
Adversely, one of the most memorable characters in The Last Dragon is Johnny Yu. He’s an ally who demonstrates the power of friendship and how vital it is for the hero to have assistance or allow others to help us when we are struggling.
This is also demonstrated in The Mandalorian with character, Cara Dune. She’s a rogue character who provides genuine friendship and you get the sense that she has her own demons from battle.
In Star Wars, Luke meets Han Solo, a shifty character who appears to only be concerned with his own well being. Similarly in Willow, while beginning his journey the protagonist befriends Madmartigan. Both Solo and Madmartigan are characters who are at the crossroads of their lives, and Luke’s quest enables them to redeem themselves and find purpose.
During the film Krull, Prince Colwyn meets a group of misfits who become trusted allies assisting him on his journey, along with a strange cyclops, who he is initially unsure of. The strange allies test the hero’s character and teach him to develop trust. These characters also prove that in life, we need to develop friendships with different types of people.
Quite often, during our lives, we will meet people on different stages of their journey in their lives. They will become allies, and as Joseph Campbell suggests, they are “Invisible Hands,” people who come into our lives and miraculously offer assistance.
During the film, The Last Unicorn, a unicorn on a quest is befriended by an awkward young wizard named Schmendrick. He’s the perfect example of a helping or assisting hand. This is someone who comes into the heroine’s journey and experiences his own transformation during the film.
Again, this is an example of figures who drift into our lives, who offer assistance, and may be on their own journey. The Unicorn’s strength and determination encouraged Schmendrick, and eventually he succeeded with his wizardry.
In Shaka Zulu, while the young hero was fleeing imminent death, he took time to become an ally, when he provided aid to a fellow traveler. This act of kindness would be returned years later when Shaka was in need of help. The hero can demonstrate their morals or good qualities by being an ally or providing “invisible hands” when others need it most.
Sometimes, allies and enemies are not recognizable. In the book, The Alchemist, the protagonist, develops relationships with many individuals while on his journey. Some relationships accelerate the journey, while others serve as distractions. Then, there are people who become allies without knowing it and teach the hero something through the relationship.
Approach to the Inmost Cave & The Ordeal
Heroes, having made the adjustment to the Special World, now go on to seek its heart. They pass into an intermediate region between the border and the very center of the Hero’s Journey. On the way they find another mysterious zone with its own Threshold Guardians, agendas, and tests. This is the Approach to the Inmost Cave, where soon they will encounter supreme wonder and terror. – Vogler
In this phase of the journey, the hero travels or ventures to a place where the goal will be achieved. This is a place of great danger.
In the Last Dragon, Leroy goes to 7th Heaven, knowing that certain dangers exist. A pivotal moment is when the hero comes close to death and is suddenly reborn. During this time, the hero uses their power or ability to overcome the final ordeal.
In Dune, the Final Ordeal takes place when Paul Atreides confronts one of the main villains, Feyd-Rautha. Although Paul has grown in power in the film, there is still an opportunity for the villain to claim victory. When Paul has killed Feyd, there is closure and the ordeal is complete.
The life or deal moment makes the readers or viewers get drawn to a character, during a period of vulnerability.
Luke Skywalker faces near-death situations several times on his journey to become a Jedi Knight. He enters The Death Star, he confronts Vader in a cave, and in the third act, he confronts Vader knowing that he is his father. This evolution makes Luke a great character and hero because he continually faces great fear and although he faced defeat, it did not stop him.
During his final confrontation with Sho’nuff, Bruce Leroy was almost drowned. During this dark period, he is forced to reflect. The near-death experience provides transformation and he is reborn with the realization that he was the master he was looking for, the powers of The Glow were with him all along.
During the confrontation between Atreyu and Gmork in The Neverending Story, the mystical wolf suggests that people with no hope are easy to control. This message has significance outside of the film, and it further imparts a lasting and important message that the audience can take with them for their own personal journey.
One of the most important messages of The Last Dragon is the confrontation of fear. By doing so, we learn about ourselves. By confronting the Sho’nuff, or the great enemies in our lives, we grow.
The Reward
In the film Starchaser: The Legend of Orin, after defeating the enemy, Orin is offered a spiritual life but decides to stay in human form, to be with the woman he loves. In many stories, depending on whether it is a heroine or hero, a love interest may represent the reward.
Bruce Leroy, after defeating both Sho’nuff and Eddie Arcadian, is rewarded with knowledge of self. Laura Charles becomes part of that reward. Not because she is an object, but if he does not obtain inner mastery, he will not be able to have a successful relationship with her.
The Road Back, Resurrection & The Return With The Elixir
If a traveler doesn’t bring back something to share, he’s not a hero, he’s a heel, selfish and unenlightened. He hasn’t learned his lesson. He hasn’t grown. Returning with the Elixir is the last test of the hero, which shows if he’s mature enough to share the fruits of his quest. – Vogler
In this phase of the journey, the hero has triumphed over the great obstacle or enemy.
In The Last Dragon, Leroy returns from his ordeal, knowing that he is the master. He does not return with a physical elixir, but his suit and flowers are symbolic of peace, signaling that he has completed his journey. Ironically, he admits that he still can’t “dance” and that is an endearing trait. He is a powerful master, but humble enough to admit he has more to learn and suggests that another journey begins.
A New Journey Begins
Last year, I had an unexpected reunion with Louis Venosta at the Urban Action Showcase, in Times Square, New York. I was amongst those in the audience, who watched The Last Dragon, with him and Taimak. We spoke afterward and he remembered our meeting, and I mentioned to him that I had written my own fiction novel and comic based on our initial meetup way back when. He was moved because his work had inspired a new story, and a career as a storyteller. With a twinkle in his eye, he intimated that he had some ideas for a sequel.
Truthfully, I realized after that meeting that I have more work to do and a new journey lies ahead. Just as my quest began in 2007, like Bruce Leroy’s journey, there will be highs and lows. New friends, fears, enemies, danger, and a chance for a great reward.
The difference this time; I know that mastery is within. I’m Bruce Leroy, setting out on a new journey, medallion in hand, crossing the threshold. I am the hero with a thousand faces.
Clarke Illmatical is a writer from Queens, New York. His writing has been featured in The Amsterdam News, The Norwood News, The Brooklyn Eagle, Harlem Community News, Queens Community Politics, The Final Call, Baltimore African American Newspaper, South China Morning Post, China Global Daily, TimeOut Hong Kong, The Phnom Penh Post, and E-China Cities.
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TheLastDragonTribute.com is an online community for fans of the 80’s Motown martial arts cult classic THE LAST DRAGON. Using our web and social media presence our mission is to bring together fans from all over the world to help keep the Glow alive! We delve into all things The Last Dragon, Bruce Lee, and Martial Arts Entertainment.
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