Black Dynamite
The audience might wonder how a 1970’s blaxploitation inspired film will work in the present day cinema. But director Scott Sanders along with writers Michael Jai White and Byron Minns have pulled it off quite to the safe zone.
The satirical movie Black Dynamite has drawn inspiration from films such as Shaft and Coffy, which featured low quality polyester clothing and beehive wigs. But the humor factor seems to be very drawn from films such as Airplane. Nevertheless, the humor part of the film will certainly entertain the viewer. Yes, the actors also wear bell-bottoms, huge hats and all those costumes that were adorned in the 1970 films.
Black Dynamite is none other than Michael Jai who plays one-man army against the killers of his brother Jimmy. Drug peddlers murdered Jimmy and they execute work on ‘The Man’s’ orders.
Black Dynamite is ex-CIA operative owns all kinds of sophisticated weapons to weed out the culprits. And the two hot women in Black Dynamite’s life are Honey Bee and Gloria played by Kym Whitley and Salli Richardson respectively who are also dressed in contemporary costumes that match the 70’s films.
Black Dynamite is vulgar and contains too much of violence but the movie would be void without these elements and they are the main features of the film. Michael Jai is extremely good in action and funny sequences.
Even the other actors, which include Kevin Chapman and the actresses too have done a commendable job. The movie is superbly smart in spite of being vulgar and violent. The movie was received quite well in the Tribeca and Sundance Film Festivals and but it has to be seen how the audience who visit the multiplex rate the film.
The audience in North America accept a film with foreign accent more easily and are not quite used to the local flavour of comedy.
Salli Richardson-Whitfield and Michael Jai White in Black Dynamite
The climax of Black Dynamite is quite a blunder but that becomes an advantage for the film. And for that you must acknowledge the efforts of director and co-writer Scott Sanders. Yes the film is predictable and you need not watch the read a review or see the trailer to get that; you can simply make out the Black dynamite is on a mission to avenge the murder of his brother Jimmy and not only that he has single-handedly taken up the responsibility of removing criminals.
But the absurdity begins when the drug peddlers go face off, which drags down the movie a bit, else the movie, can be rated good. It is an honest make inspired by the 1970’s films, which can be a nice option for your weekend. No the film is not outstanding but it is definitely worth watching especially if you have not watched the 1970 films this could be the one.
One reminder though it is entirely fake the crew has made genuine efforts to make a blaxploitation flick. So have a fantastic weekend and grab some laughs.
| Film | Black Dynamite |
|---|---|
| Cast | Michael Jai White as Black Dynamite Arsenio Hall as Tasty Freeze Tommy Davidson as Cream Corn Kevin Chapman as O’Leary Richard Edson as Dino Darrel Heath as Militant 2 Buddy Lewis as Gunsmoke |
| Director | Scott Sanders |
| Writers | Michael Jai White Byron Minns |
| Producers | Jenny Wiener Steingart Jon Steingart |
| Runtime | 1 Hour 30 Minutes |
| Rating | 3/5 |
Posted on Saturday, October 24th, 2009 at 8:13 pm