Review of Black Belt Jones (1974) by Kinohi N — 30 Oct 2015
An inner-city karate school is empowering the kids while keeping them off the streets, but the mob wants that building since it's sitting on valuable land. They try to seize it with their army of thugs, dope pushers, and corrupt politicians, but none of the bad guys reckoned with the face-kicking heroics of Black Belt Jones (Jim Kelly).
Director Robert Clouse rehired Jim Kelly after his scene stealing performance in Enter The Dragon and, despite the boilerplate plot, this kung fu blaxploitation hit is easily the most popular film that Mr.
Kelly headlined. The script is campy, the acting almost defines amateurish, certain scenes drag on, and the cartoonish action sequences evince The Three Stooges more often than Bruce Lee, but this cheeseball film can still be pretty entertaining if one is down for this sort of thing.
The slapsticky climax in the car wash alone is ample evidence as to why Black Belt Jones has earned a space in the heart of many who adore cinematic junk food.
This review of Black Belt Jones (1974) was written by Kinohi N on 30 Oct 2015.
Black Belt Jones has generally received positive reviews.
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