Black Dynamite

Black Dynamite

Starring: Michael Jai White, Salli Richardson, Arsenio Hall, Kevin Chapman, Tommy Davidson

Directed by: Scott Sanders

Reviewed by: Conor Flynn






For many, the golden age of the film spoof can be cited between the years 1974 and 1980. Film spoofs had been around decades before this, but it reached something of a zenith starting with director Mel Brooks’ classic ‘Blazing Saddles’. By the end of the decade, Brooks’ career was overshadowed by the Monty Python team with films such as ‘Life of Brian,’ however; people seem to agree that the Zucker brothers ‘Airplane’ defined the genre and influenced the rest of this period and beyond. Black Dynamite feels like a throwback to this golden era…

The film begins with the death of Dynamites’ bother at the hands of the mafia, singled out for his inarticulate use of jive. Meanwhile Black Dynamite (White), a former CIA operative, declares war on drug barons dealing smack to little kids on the streets. Soon Dynamite gets word of his brother’s death, which leads to a conspiracy involving malt liquor that points all the way to the White House…

As you can tell from the synopsis and title of the film, Black Dynamite is a spoof of urban action movies of the early 1970’s. The film is painfully funny, so funny in fact it wares you out. The middle section lulls slightly, but even with fewer jokes on offer, the hit rate is still high. Much like the majority of 70’s urban action movies, the final explanation behind the conspiracy is so hilariously convoluted; it is one of the movie highlights of the year. Add to this a set of (superb) music cues which mimic the actions as they happen on screen and you’re left with one of the funniest spoofs of the decade. This could have been marketed alongside ‘Grindhouse’ as a third feature, but unlike that double whammy of ‘Planet Death’ and ‘Death Proof,’ it’s a lot less pretentious than the latter and far wittier than the former.

For anyone concerned that the film stereotypes for comic relief, rest assured that it’s knowingly tongue in cheek. The film is significant as one of the few spoofs where the actors aren’t constantly mugging for camera, unlike the irritating ‘Scary Movie’ series and its awful spin-offs. This is a film where, if the volume was turned down, it could easily pass as a proper movie from the era with only tiny visual faux pas giving a hint that it’s a spoof. It’s far removed from earlier efforts at the genre such as ‘I’m Gonna Git You Sucka’ or ‘Undercover Brother’ and is all the better for it.

Sadly the film seems to have sunk without a trace in America which leaves the option of seeing it in cinemas over here very remote. A comedy as excellent as this one does not come around often, if you have the chance to check it out, do so immediately, it’s a cult classic in the making…

[Note: Black Dynamite has yet to be released in Ireland and the UK. Screening courtesy of Dublin Horrorthon 2009]