Black Dynamite review

Cancel the Oscars, Black Dynamite is the best film of 2009 – assuming, that is, your definition of fine cinema includes kung fu, adulterated malt liquor, fightin’ The Man, drug-addled orphans, pimps, exploding cars going over cliffs, soul music, helicopter explosions, Vietnam vets, dudes getting throw through walls, nun chuck fights and former first lady Pat Nixon being pimp-slapped.

Probably oughta cancel next year’s Oscars, too.

Lovingly shot on Super 16 film, the blaxploitation homage Black Dynamite could easily pass as a lost chapter of Grindhouse, Robert Rodriguez & Quentin Tarantino’s 2006 exploitation double feature. And while Grindhouse focused on zombies and car chase movies, Black Dynamite is, not surprisingly, all blaxploitation. Though it’s done in the same spirit as I’m Gonna Git You Sucka! and Don’t Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood, Dynamite draws its humor from making an intentionally bad movie, rather than mocking such pictures. The effects are corny, the editing choppy, the stunts poorly done, the acting stunted and the script full of holes – all on purpose, naturally.

As much as plot synopsis is necessary, our hero begins the film by investigating the death of his brother Jimmy (Jimmy Dynamite? Jimmy Black Dynamite? Just Jimmy? We’re never told) at the hands of The Man. From there the tale spirals to smack-addicted orphans (Because orphans don’t have parents!”), Byzantine riddles around malt liquor ad campaigns, “kung fu treachery,” and a conspiracy leading all the way to the White – er, Honky House.

As Black Dynamite, Michael Jai White (best known as Spawn) is equal parts Black Belt Jones, Shaft, Superman and John Holmes. But while Dynamite runs the show, those around him are half of what gives the movie its charm, including memorable performances from Arsenio Hall and In Living Color’s Tommy Davidson.

Rather than use a traditional marketing campaign, much of Black Dynamite’s press has come through viral marketing – smart move, considering the audience they’re looking to reach. It’s the year’s most quotable movie, but it’s only in limited release now. But unlike this year’s Halloween phenom Paranormal Activity, it’s probably not likely to go beyond that. So see it while you can – it’s gritty, action-packed, hilarious and authentic. It’s dynamite!

Black Dynamite is playing in limited release in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Seattle.

(Also posted to Under The Radar 10/23/09)