We’ve found some rare and interesting footage. The original 1985 Siskel and Ebert review of Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon! It’s probably just me but I feel like we’ve uncovered a lost piece of television history!
Jump to 10:19 to get to The Last Dragon part of the review. Before The Last Dragon review, Siskel and Ebert also discuss and rate The Sluggers Wife and Desperately Seeking Susan. After they take a look at the 13-year history (1973 – 1985) of martial art movies in America from Five Fingers of Death, and Enter The Dragon to The Karate Kid.
I didn’t think these guys would get or appreciate The Last Dragon, but Siskel really loves it; and in fact, gives it a thumbs up. Ebert calls it ridiculous but you can tell he sees the film’s charm but lets a few scenes he doesn’t like prevent him from giving it a thumbs up. He loves the chemistry between Bruce Leroy (Taimak) and Laura Charles (Denise “Vanity” Matthews) and of course, he loves Julius Carry III’s portrayal of Sho’nuff. They both call it fun, rave about Taimak and Vanity, talk about how much they love “the Shogun of Harlem goes to the movie scene” and how much fun the movie is in general but Ebert just can’t get past the Eddie Arkadian and Angie subplot. He says it’s close to a thumbs up and calls it the most entertaining movie he’s going to give a thumbs down to.
Thanks to Majid Afayee for finding this video and letting me know about it.
Here’s Roger Ebert’s solo review of The Last Dragon. Ebert talks again talks about how much he likes the characters especially Vanity, Sho’nuff, and a lot of the film but dislikes the Eddie Arkadian scenes. The review really focuses on Vanity.
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the real reason that i loved this movie because of DENISE “VANITY” MATTHEWS OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL LADY!! taimak was so interested in bruce lee what a STUPID ASSHOLE , HE CAN’T ACT i love when shonuff was kicking da livin’ shit out of his lil bitchass. some 1 as BEAUTIFUL & FINE ASS VANITY WHO I WOULD HAVE LOVE BEGIN IN EVERY MOVIE WITH HER.I LOVE THIS WOMAN TIL DEATH DO US PART!!
Thanks for sharing that Delredd. A lot of people would agree with that Vanity is the reason they Love The Last Dragon. Thanks again.
Omg!! Omg!! Omg!! I love this movie so much im scared for it to be tampered with as far as a sequel. The cast was awesome, even Leroy’s students (Ernie Reyes Jr.) etc. Vanity, Vanity, Vanity OMG! I would drink your bath water. Since the day I saw this movie there’s no women that can replace her as far as beauty, she controlled this movie so so much, without her there’s no Last Dragon to me. Wherever you are Vanity aka Denise Katrina Matthews I love you sooooo much for what you’ve done. God dropped an Angel from the sky on this one!! Sighs!!!!!!!!