Decades after his untimely death, Bruce Lee's movies continue to inspire other filmmakers to make contemporary martial arts films. In 1985, Motown legend Berry Gordon put his seal of approval on The Last Dragon, a tongue-in-cheek adventure with plenty of high-kicking action.

Real-life martial arts expert Taimak Guarriello plays Leroy Green, a New York City kid who is a huge fan of Bruce Lee's movies, so much so that people start calling him "Bruce Leroy." To honor the memory of his fallen idol, Leroy studies karate and other martial arts, but before he can achieve the final level of his training, he must seek out the proper master to teach him. While seeking his advanced training, a rival named Sho'nuff (Julius Carry) wants to fight Leroy. Calling himself the "Shogun of Harlem," Sho'nuff needs to beat Leroy to become the undisputed champion of New York City, but Leroy doesn't believe in fighting unless it is absolutely necessary.

Leroy also catches the eye of Laura Charles (Vanity), the host of a popular television dance show. When ruthless businessman Eddie Arkadian (Christopher Murney) kidnaps Laura, Leroy uses his fighting skills to rescue her. Laura definitely is attracted to Leroy, but Arkadian hires Sho'nuff to take care of Leroy once and for all.

With great martial arts action and a soundtrack featuring songs from Debarge and Stevie Wonder, The Last Dragon definitely is a 1980's classic. Taimak Guarriello gives the Leroy Green character an eagerness that makes him a likable, if somewhat goofy, hero. Leroy identifies so much with Bruce Lee that he even eats his popcorn at the movies with chopsticks.

Vanity, who was once romantically and professionally linked to Prince, also turns in a nice performance, but it is Julius Carry who steals the show. Built like a brick wall, Carry makes the Shogun of Harlem a definite force to be reckoned with. The Last Dragon is considered such a classic, in fact, that singer Rihanna is being considered for the Laura Charles role in a remake starring Samuel L. Jackson. If all goes well, Bruce Leroy and Sho'nuff might be coming back to theaters in the near future.