Year of the Dragon

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Year of the Dragon

R

1985

2h 14m

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

53%

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19 Reviews

53%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

In New York, racist Capt. Stanley White (Mickey Rourke) becomes obsessed with destroying a Chinese-American drug ring run by Joey Tai (John Lone), an up-and-coming young gangster as ambitious as he is ruthless. While pursuing an unauthorized investigation, White grows increasingly willing to violate police protocol, resorting to progressively violent measures -- even as his concerned wife, Connie (Caroline Kava), and his superiors beg him to consider the consequences of his actions.

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

The bottom line: Year of the Dragon is a first-rate cops vs the mob melodrama that restores Michael Cimino's reputation as a gifted filmmaker.

Oct 22, 2018

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Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

... the movie ends up looking cluttered.

Jan 2, 2018

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Justine Smith

Vague Visages

Year of the Dragon, Michael Cimino’s macho trainwreck vision of excess, is built on the shoulders of his own damaged ego.

Nov 21, 2023

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…a tough, rough, abrasive, fearless movie…

Rated: 5/5

Oct 21, 2023

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Defenders claim it's a blow against racism and sexism while detractors insist it embraces racism and sexism. One's opinion will perhaps depend on whether the viewing ends with admiration for its technical prowess or annoyance at its narrative ugliness.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 9, 2019

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Thomas Delapa

Boulder Weekly

Rated: 1/5

Nov 4, 2005

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Landon J

I think what makes this stand out from contemporaries is it's character expression. Many titles are shot as beautifully and written as well enough, but lack the intensity this title brings. Outburts, violence, plot climaxes all have a sense of genuineness to them, thanks mostly to what I believe is the cast appearing to give this scrip their all, regardless of sharing the silhouette of countless others.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/12/25

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Audience Member

Movie had balls witch is extremely lacking these days 2024

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/01/24

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MC C

Mickey Rourke in full dysfunctional and rebellious swing ! Great dialogue ,great story, good cast and intrigue and expertly directed by Michael Cimino. 85% not 58%

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/24/23

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M R

This movie was pretty good overall. The story is interesting but the pacing slow at times. Mickey Rourke's performance is very good as usual. Michael Cimino was a pretty good director. I've seen Deer Hunter, Heaven's Gate (the good long version not the supposedly crappy theatrical release) and this one. He's 3/3 thus far in my book and I may check out 'The Sicilian' sometime in the future. Not a bad crime movie. Kinda on the league of "King of New York" from what I remember. Grade: 80/100 B-

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/15/23

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Santa S

With all the unnecessary racial slurs, it is still good film, with some actually antiracist moments. Nevertheless, it could feel confusing vis-a-vis all racism issue, so, maybe depends how you look at it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/30/23

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s r

Too harsh to be excellent, but it had its moments of true gangster and hard cops. I enjoyed the Chinese mafia aspect since its something that was unusual. It was poorly over dramatic. Saw on HBO.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Michael Cimino

Director

Mickey Rourke

Stanley White

John Lone

Joey Tai

Ariane

Tracy Tzu

Leonard Termo

Angelo Rizzo

Raymond J. Barry

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Synopsis

In New York, racist Capt. Stanley White (Mickey Rourke) becomes obsessed with destroying a Chinese-American drug ring run by Joey Tai (John Lone), an up-and-coming young gangster as ambitious as he is ruthless. While pursuing an unauthorized investigation, White grows increasingly willing to violate police protocol, resorting to progressively violent measures -- even as his concerned wife, Connie (Caroline Kava), and his superiors beg him to consider the consequences of his actions.

Director: Michael Cimino
Producer: Dino De Laurentiis
Screenwriter: Oliver Stone, Michael Cimino
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, AMLF, Dino De Laurentiis Company
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.6M
Runtime: 2h 14m
Sound Mix: Surround

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