Review of Year of the Dragon (1985) by Michael R — 08 Sep 2011

Rourke vs Chinese gangster John Lone whose interests are taking over the US by black market supply lines. The NY cop wants to shut it all down from a personal psychological vendetta but only gets so far as interpersonal skirmishes not affecting the bigger picture even though he tries.

Many critics derided it because it was too unruly for them, yet Oliver Stone's words were brutal but full of truth, and Michael Cimino was great when the writing and focus was there. Rourke charging around in despair is a great image that is one of a kind.

The premise has been proved truthful over time. For further study see Martin Booth's book The Dragon Syndicates. The dragon, the conglomerate of economic and political influences, takes what it sees as its own.

Obviously many factors and variables exist within things.