Revenge of the Green Dragons Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two immigrant friends climb the gangster ladder in ’80s NYC, but apparently, shooting the wrong person (specifically a white one) and attempting revenge against the very gang that made them famous is a really bad career move.

🍿 Revenge of the Green Dragons: Detailed Plot Synopsis

From Immigrant Hope to Gang Life

The story follows Sonny and Steven, two young Chinese immigrants navigating life in 1980s New York City. Facing poverty and limited opportunities, they find themselves drawn into the world of the Green Dragons, one of the most notorious Chinatown gangs. Bonded by their shared experiences and harsh circumstances, Sonny and Steven rise through the gang’s ranks. They become involved in the Green Dragons’ various criminal activities, from street-level operations to more organized crime.

Rising Influence and Escalating Violence

As Sonny and Steven gain status within the Green Dragons, the gang’s rivalries and internal politics become more intense. A brutal attack involving a rival gang, the White Tigers, leaves one of the friends severely wounded, triggering a cycle of violent retribution. This period sees the friends become deeply entrenched in the gang’s brutal methods, witnessing and participating in acts of violence. The introduction of Tina, a relative of a gang leader, adds another layer of complexity, particularly for Sonny.

Breaking the Rules and Internal Conflict

The gang’s activities escalate, including involvement in more serious crimes like drug smuggling. Tensions rise as internal gang rules are tested and broken, leading to devastating consequences for members and their families. A series of shocking events and betrayals within the Green Dragons strain the bond between Sonny and Steven. These conflicts force Sonny to confront the true cost of their choices and the ruthless nature of the organization they joined.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sonny (Justin Chon): An immigrant boy who rises through the ranks of the Green Dragons gang but eventually seeks revenge against them.
• Steven (Kevin Wu): Sonny’s volatile blood brother who becomes a violent and ruthless member of the Green Dragons.
• Paul (Harry Shum Jr.): The intellectual and calculated leader of the Green Dragons gang.
• Michael Bloom (Ray Liotta): A hard-boiled police detective determined to bring down the Green Dragons.
• Snakehead Mama (Eugenia Yuan): A key figure who smuggles immigrants into the US and is connected to the Green Dragons.
• Detective Tang (Jin Au-Yeung): An Asian-American detective working to dismantle the Chinese gangs in New York.
• Tina (Shuya Chang): Sonny’s love interest and Paul’s relative whose fate influences Sonny’s actions.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Narrator: “This is a story about coming to America, only it’s not that story, the one where everyone lives happily ever after.” – The opening line of the film, immediately setting a grim and realistic tone for the immigrant experience being depicted.
• Snakehead Mama: “I am the American the dream.” – Declared by the powerful, ruthless leader of the human smuggling operation, highlighting her twisted perception of achieving success through exploiting others.
• Steven: “You don’t think I feel?” – A moment where the more volatile and seemingly unfeeling friend expresses his hidden emotional turmoil.
• Narrator: “A fisherman in China will always be a fisherman in China, but in America even a dishwasher has hope.” – Explains the potent motivation behind the illegal immigration and the desperate search for opportunity, no matter the cost.
• Paul: “Find your way back home.” – Said to Sonny during a brutal event, offering a final, chilling ultimatum about his place within the gang or outside of it.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $0
• Worldwide Gross: $107,412

💥 Revenge of the Green Dragons Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this expecting some kind of Scorsese-level epic set in Chinatown, especially with Ray Liotta showing up. And, well, it wasn’t quite that, but I found parts of it pretty gripping. The story about Sonny and Steven getting tangled up in the Green Dragons gang felt raw and intense. I really felt for their struggle, especially with the ‘American Dream’ twisted into this violent path. There were some scenes that were hard to watch because the brutality felt so real and desperate. The twist at the end definitely caught me off guard. It left me thinking about loyalty and betrayal in a messed-up world. It’s not a perfect movie by any means, but I appreciate it shining a light on a historical event I knew nothing about.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of crime dramas and gangster films”
  • “Viewers interested in true crime stories”
  • “Those interested in films about immigrant experiences and challenges”
  • “Audiences curious about Asian gang history in the US”
  • “Fans of directors Wai-Keung Lau or executive producer Martin Scorsese (with adjusted expectations)”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Extreme Graphic Violence”
  • “Torture”
  • “Sexual Violence / Rape (implied or depicted)”
  • “Strong Language”
  • “Drug Use”

Professional Reviews

• Film Critic Monthly: “Despite the pedigree involved, ‘Revenge of the Green Dragons’ feels disjointed and lacks substance. While attempting to channel classic crime dramas with a unique setting, it struggles with pacing and character depth. The violence is unflinching, almost to a fault, overshadowing any potential thematic resonance. A disappointing outing that doesn’t live up to its promising premise or executive producer’s legacy.
• Reel Insights: “This crime drama offers a glimpse into a lesser-seen world of ’80s NYC Chinese gangs. The true-story basis lends it a certain weight, and the setting is compelling. However, shaky acting from the leads and a sometimes nonsensical plot derail the experience. It feels like pieces of a better film cobbled together, rushing through crucial developments and relying on shock value. Watchable, but ultimately frustrating.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were often surprised by the level of violence and brutality depicted.: Many found the premise of focusing on Chinese gangs in 1980s NYC interesting and a change of pace from other crime dramas.

The film’s basis in a true story added a layer of intrigue for some viewers.: There was general agreement that the film had potential but was hindered by pacing issues and some questionable acting choices.

The unexpected ending left some feeling dissatisfied, while others appreciated the unconventional conclusion.: Expectations were often high due to the Martin Scorsese executive producer credit, leading to significant disappointment for many.

Overall Consensus: Mostly negative. Audiences generally found the movie disappointing, citing poor pacing, acting, and excessive violence, despite an interesting premise based on true events and the involvement of notable names.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This film marks the first official collaboration between director Wai Keung Lau and Martin Scorsese, whose film ‘The Departed’ was a remake of Lau’s ‘Infernal Affairs’.”
• “The movie is based on a true story documented in a 1992 New Yorker article titled ‘Revenge of the Green Dragons’ by Fredric Dannen.”
• “Despite being set in Manhattan’s Chinatown, principal photography took place largely in Brooklyn, New York.”

🖥️ How to Watch Revenge of the Green Dragons?

Released in 2014, “Revenge of the Green Dragons” had a limited theatrical run. It is now primarily available for streaming, digital purchase, or rental. You can typically find the film on major platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and other video-on-demand services. Check your preferred digital store or streaming provider for current availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Revenge of the Green Dragons, you might like these similar films:

• Goodfellas (1990): An iconic Martin Scorsese film depicting the rise and fall within organized crime, sharing themes of loyalty, betrayal, and navigating a dangerous criminal world.
• Infernal Affairs (2002): Directed by Wai Keung Lau, this highly influential Hong Kong film explores similar themes of moles within police and crime organizations, loyalty, and identity under pressure.
• Year of the Dragon (1985): Another 1980s film explicitly focused on Chinese Triads in New York City, delving into gang conflicts, immigration issues, and law enforcement challenges.
• The Departed (2006): Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-winning remake of ‘Infernal Affairs’, continuing the thematic link of crime, loyalty, and infiltration in an American setting.
• City of God (2002): This critically acclaimed film portrays the harsh reality of youth growing up amidst extreme poverty and organized crime in a specific community, similar to the environmental factors in ‘Revenge of the Green Dragons’.

🛒 Revenge of the Green Dragons Related Products

• The Snakehead: An Epic Tale of the Chinatown Underworld and the American Dream: Based on the true story and the original New Yorker article that inspired the film, this book provides deep historical context into the Green Dragons and their infamous leader, Sister Ping.
• Infernal Affairs Trilogy [Blu-ray]: The critically acclaimed Hong Kong crime trilogy directed by Wai-Keung Lau, which heavily influenced Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Departed’ and serves as a key point of reference for fans of Lau’s work and crime cinema.
• Chinatown Underground: Documentaries on NYC Gang History: A collection of documentary films exploring the history of gangs, immigration, and organized crime in New York City’s Chinatown during the late 20th century.
• Revenge of the Green Dragons [Blu-ray]: Own the film itself on Blu-ray or Digital, allowing you to revisit key scenes, analyze the direction, and experience the story in high definition.

🎧 Soundtrack

Revenge of the Green Dragons features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Green Dragon” – performed by Devon Diep

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

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