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Year of the Dragon

Year of the Dragon

Action · Crime · Thriller · 1985

In New York, racist Capt. Stanley White becomes obsessed with destroying a Chinese-American drug ring run by Joey Tai, 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, and his superiors beg him to consider the consequences of his actions.

Movie details

Year of the Dragon

“It isn't the Bronx or Brooklyn, it isn't even New York. It's Chinatown... and it's about to explode.”

1985 Action · Crime · Thriller 2h 14m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.8 / 10

Community rating

In New York, racist Capt. Stanley White becomes obsessed with destroying a Chinese-American drug ring run by Joey Tai, 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, and his superiors beg him to consider the consequences of his actions.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Year of the Dragon?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Michael Cimino

Written by

Michael Cimino · Oliver Stone

Mickey Rourke

Mickey Rourke

Stanley White

John Lone

John Lone

Joey Tai

Ariane

Ariane

Tracy Tzu

Leonard Termo

Leonard Termo

Angelo Rizzo

Raymond J. Barry

Raymond J. Barry

Louis Bukowski

Caroline Kava

Caroline Kava

Connie White

Eddie Jones

Eddie Jones

William McKenna

Court is in session

Put Year of the Dragon on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Auteur Devotee

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.