CITY DRAGON (1995)
“City Dragon,” a 1995 action-comedy directed by “Philthy” Phil Phillips, is a low-budget martial arts flick that doubles as a bizarre vanity project for its star, Stan Derain, aka MC Kung Fu. Ray, a rapping martial artist, struts through Los Angeles with his crew—Philthy (Phillips) and Rick—using freestyle rhymes to woo women and flex his kung fu skills. The film opens with Ray as a carefree playboy, sporting tank tops and nunchucks, until he meets Tina (Kathy Barbour). After a whirlwind romance, Tina reveals she’s pregnant, prompting Ray to propose and trade his wild ways for a steady job at “Business Affairs.”
The tone shifts from campy spoof to melodrama when Ray’s predatory boss, Rene, coerces him into an affair, flaunting it in front of Tina. Meanwhile, Tina’s unhinged ex, John, spirals into madness after losing her, murdering coworkers and later escaping custody for revenge. The plot careens through disjointed scenes—random street fights, a sexual harassment subplot, and rap-laden dialogue—culminating in a rooftop showdown where Ray battles John, who meets a grisly end via a Disney-style fall. Tina gives birth, and Ray’s journey from lothario to family man concludes with a tacked-on happy ending.
Shot on video with amateurish editing and a cast of novices, “City Dragon” revels in its absurdity—think “The Last Dragon” meets a Lifetime movie on a shoestring budget. Derain, who co-wrote and choreographed the fights, delivers a performance as over-the-top as his pompadour, while Phillips multitasks as director, co-star, and co-writer. Critics call it a cult classic for its so-bad-it’s-good charm, from the ice cream-smashing scene to the nunchuck-waving heroics. Though incoherent and technically rough, it’s a time capsule of ’90s excess, blending martial arts, rap, and soap opera vibes into a gloriously weird mess.
