Black Dynamite is the new spoof/homage to the Black Action (aka Blaxploitation) films of the 1970’s. The film draws inspiration in equal parts from the films; Shaft, Black Belt Jones, The Mack, The Human Tornado, Foxy Brown, Slaughter, Three the Hard Way and even Bruce Lee’s Enter The Dragon. Director Scott Sanders along with stars and co-screenwriters, Michael Jai White and Byron Minns have created a film that is 100% true to the genre and f*****g hilarious.
The film tells the story of an ex-CIA agent known as “BLACK DYNAMITE” (Michael Jai White). After his brother Jimmy is murdered Dynamite goes on a Kung-Fu rampage, kicking the asses of every pimp, hustler and mobster in his way. As with most films of this genre, *spoiler alert* “The Man” is involved, which leads Black Dynamite all the way to the White House.
Black Dynamite succeeds at two things humor and and action. The humor works for those that know the genre as well as for those who wouldn't even know who Fred Williamson is. The jokes cover everything from plot elements, to production values (look for an entire scene with a boom mic in the shot) and even the cinematography of that era.
Michael Jai White provides the bulk of the action and it's great to see him finally have a vehicle to display his impressive (he has 7 Black Belts) martial arts skills. The fights scenes are reminiscent to the (Tennis pro/Karate champ) Jim Kelly film, Black Belt Jones, with lots of realistic looking fights.
The cast of Black Dynamite provides the foundation that allows the film to work. Byron Minns does a great job at channeling the late Rudy Ray Moore as “Bullhorn”. Kym Whitley is funny as “Honeybee” and it is nice to see familiar faces like Arsenio Hall (“Tasty Freeze”), Salli Richardson-Whitfield (“Gloria”), Phil Morris (“Saheed”), Miguel Nunez (“Mo' Bitches”), Mykelti Williamson (“Chicago Wind”) and Cedric Yarbrough (of Reno 911) as “Chocolate Giddy-Up”.
Adrian Younge does an amazing job with the original score for the film, the music is so authentic you wonder if the songs are actually from the 1970's. Music supervisor David Hollander uses music cues that add even more authenticity to the film.
Black Dynamite is full of win and is easily the most accurate look at the Black Action film genre. I think Kung Fu Jones, The Hammer and Slaughter would all be proud.
CraveOnline rating: 8 out of 10
Black Dynamite has a runtime of 90 minutes is in limited release and is rated “R-ruh”.
