Black Dynamite

Black Dynamite

Directed by Scott Sanders

Michael Jai White is Black Dynamite, the legendary gun-toting, two-fisted, Afro-wearing Vietnam vet, now a legendary ghetto hero. In the course of investigating his brother’s death, Dynamite stumbles on a plot to compromise “black manhood” with a secret weapon disguised as malt liquor. Set in 1972, the film follows our hero as he blazes through the hood, hell-bent on revenge as he follows a trail of bodies all the way to the White House and President Nixon (James McManus).

-
In recent years, many filmmakers have taken it upon themselves to pay tribute to the blaxploitation era of the 1970s. Malcolm Lee gave us Undercover Brother, Tarantino delivered with Jackie Brown, Robert Townsend surprised us with Hollywood Shuffle and Keenen Ivory Wayans directed the lively and affectionate parody I’m Gonna Git You Sucka. But while films like Jackie Brown were clearly an homage, and Sucka a straight up parody, Dynamite seems unclear as to what it is trying to achieve. Was director Scott Sanders expecting Dynamite to be to blaxploitation what Austin Powers was to ’60s spy flicks? Or was the film meant to be something more? Some argue that Black Dynamite is just a replica of blaxploitation adventures, a Xerox copy devoid of any commentary on the genre to which it pays tribute. I won’t disagree, but there remain three essential reasons as to why Dynamite is worthy of a viewing: action, period detail and casting.

Sanders has crafted a film with an incredible retro aesthetic – on a small budget no less –  transporting us back to the campy world of 70s blaxploitation. And the film’s imitation is so perfect, it could easily fool someone into believing it was a print of an older movie, complete with grainy film stock and a camera constantly zooming in and out while shifting focus. The period details are perfect, from the ’70s mack-daddy pimp suits, outrageous large afros, fur coats, polyester suit, Cadillac Coupe Devilles, Chevrolet Monte Carlos, a funk smothered R&B soundtrack and the usual Blaxploitation plot tropes.  The film is rife with foul-mouthed jive, spewed by everyone from pimps and prostitutes to evil politicians and corrupt cops. Sanders never shies away from ethnic slurs, gratuitous violence, and sexist one-liners, and even goes so far as to break the fourth wall, purposely including boom mics and camera crews visible in the background. Dynamite is easily the most visually original blaxploitation comedy of recent years; a heartfelt celebration of the attitudes, dark humor, and rebellious outlook of its predecessors.

Like the genre it parodies, Dynamite is a pulp fantasy of a black superman, and Michael Jai White’s Dynamite may be the ultimate superman. He’s got the physique, attitude and street skills of Jim Kelly, Richard Roundtree and Fred Williamson combined, and while his character may be an amalgam of the genre’s stereotypes, White comes out with a distinct personality. He’s crafty with the dialogue, perfectly timing his jokes, and is sexy enough to sell into his ladies man act completely. He even echoes  Bruce Lee with his roundhouse kicks, fists of fury, and ball breaking crotch kicks.

The film’s fight scenes do better than the horrible choreography found in Black Belt Jones, or in fact anything in the blaxploitation oeuvre. And as a result, they’re more reminiscent of films like Enter the Dragon. The action sequences, choreographed by the Yuan brothers, are edited to look as cartoonish as possible. But with their quick pacing and quicker edits, Dynamite charges in with a fury of non stop action, practical stunts, and badass kung-fu.

Unfortunately, the film does become repetitive in its third act, suggesting that this wonderful spoof would have been perfect as a short film, rather than a feature that runs out of steam somewhat. Still Dynamite is fast, funny and likeable enough to warrant a watch, and hopefully, will inspire younger cinephiles to seek out the fiercely entertaining films of yesterday’s counterculture-inspired genre.

- Ricky D

Visit www.blackdynamitemovie.com