Boom Goes the 'Dynamite'

They say this cat Black Dynamite is a Bad Mutha- Shut yo mouth. I'm talkin' 'bout BD. Then we can dig it!

I don't claim to be an expert on blaxploitation cinema, but I have seen my fair share of the more popular ones. The most recognizable figure and film in this genre would have to be Shaft. Everyone knows about the cat who won't cop out when there's danger all about. One of the first films of this kind I was introduced to was Superfly. A somewhat forgettable pusher man parable with an unforgettable soundtrack by Curtis Mayfield. Quentin Tarantino's personal take on blaxploitation Jackie Brown introduced a new generation (myself included) to Pam Grier and the likes of her no nonsense characters Coffy and Foxy Brown.

Blaxploitation films were born and flourished throughout the seventies. They served as an example of change not only in cinema, but in culture as well. Black audiences had been given heroes they could look up to and root for. Black Dynamite is an excellent film that succeeds on various levels. It is a parody that honors it's subject with phenomenal detail, and slightly mocks it by over-amplifying everything these films are known for: kung-fu fights with nun-chucks, drugs, bare breasts, shootouts, bellbottoms, and a whole lotta attitude. It is so hilarious and fun you would have to be some kinda jive turkey to hate it.

After his brother is killed the one man army and ladies man Black Dynamite (Michael Jai White) goes on a personal vendetta to avenge his death and stumbles upon a white man's conspiracy to keep the brother man down involving a new malt liquor. The film's plot only exists as a way for Black Dynamite to get into shoot-outs, karate matches, and spout out terribly tacky yet awesome catchphrases.

As I watched this film I couldn't help but realize that this specific kind of parody had been done before. It was in a film called Undercover Brother with Eddie Griffin as the title character. That film worked for what it was. It actually contains many of the same style of jokes, yet it lacks nearly all of the edge that this film has rendering it good but forgettable. Black Dynamite takes it's subject and humor to a whole other level.

I recommend this film for anyone seeking a good time. Even without any prior knowledge or blaxploitation experience I can assure you that some big laughs are guaranteed, and even more smaller ones if you are able to catch a number of the clever references. With a running time of less than an hour and a half it is over before it has a chance to become boring. Can you dig it? A-