Black Dynamite (2009)

"I threw that shit before I even got in the room"

Director: Scott Sanders
Studio: Ars Nova
Genre: Comedy/Action
Country of Release: United States
Release Date: 2009

The 70's were an interesting time that gave us a ton of different kind of film genres for today I'm going to be focusing on none other than Blaxploitation films. Blaxploitation is the term used to refer to films with predominately black casts and they were often action films with themes about protecting the ghetto and stopping "The Man" from having his way with the community and what not. Black Dynamite is a loving tribute, modern example, and hilarious parody/spoof of this past but not forgotten genre of film. The story is about a man known only as Black Dynamite who is an action star and hero of the ghetto who becomes entangled in a nefarious plot to control the black community by The Man through malt liquor and selling drugs through orphanages after his younger brother, Jimmy is shot down. And let me tell, you being the badass that he is, Black Dynamite is not going to stand for that.

The film works on several levels. On one level it is full of jokes that work if one grew up during that time or is a big fan of blaxploitation films with several subtle and not so subtle jokes regarding various films and cliches of the genre. On another level, it is a film that film buffs will find entertaining because there are various jokes regarding film conventions and techniques that are just outright mocked and will make those who catch them chuckle endlessly. On yet level, it is a film that is silly enough on its own that it can be the first blaxploitation style movie you've ever seen and you'll still be entertained and find what occurs on screen to be a comedic triumph. And finally, on a totally different layer than those mentioned previously, while purposefully cheesy it actually does manage to be an entertaining action flick just on the merit of the choreography of its various fight scenes.

Black Dynamite is a film that is definitely made by someone who is familiar with the sort of works that they are spoofing. The film itself looks as if it is directly from the 70's, the music used in the film is exactly the same sort of music used in blaxploitation films and action films of the era (albeit exaggerated to a hilarious degree), there are transitions and cuts that are indicative of a film made in the time, the names, language, and clothing of the characters all give a very strong and pretty accurate 70's feel from what I know of the 70's. The level of detail that went into making this film as accurate to its genre as possible is amazing and shows a remarkable talent in appreciating details in film-making. Also, Black Dynamite's theme may be one of the most memorable character themes since the legendary Issac Hayes' Theme from Shaft.

If there is anything I have to say against the film though, it's that many of the gags and jokes begin to wear thin around the last half an hour or so of the movie. The film starts to feel like it's dragging a bit and several completely outrageous situations occur in the last half an hour that while still entertaining are more "Wait what" than outright laugh out loud funny compared to the rest of the film. Other than that, Black Dynamite sure is one well-made spoof.

Black Dynamite is a film that is going to be remembered in the spoof genre, as it is for all purposes the blaxploitation equivalent of what Shaun of the Dead is to zombie films and Kung Fu Hustle is to martial arts films. If you're in the mood for a good comedy and genre piece, give Black Dynamite a try. I can dig it. Can you dig it?

Rating: 9/10