Review of Black Dynamite (2009) by Bitter E — 16 Mar 2011

As a man whiter than Bob Hope's left testicle (especially now that he's dead), I can appreciate a good blaxploitation film...wait, that doesn't make any sense. That's good though, neither did anything from this genre and Black Dynamite knows it. This is the best, ironically well-thought out lampooning of a genre since Airplane! I've never watched any blaxploitation, but I can tell from the meticulous attention to detail and loving homage to the campy tone that the filmmakes have--plenty of it too. The only standard I have to compare it to are the old MADtv skits featuring Dolomite which, once again, the filmmakers affectionately ripped off from (even Nicole Sullivan pops up near the end). I was shocked when I learned nobody closely associated with the production came from the show yet effectively used the same style. Essentially, it's just a ninety minute version of Dolomite (even the name seems freakishly coincidental)and I loved every second--for the first forty minutes, at which point you realize the film is running out of jokes.

Before I go there, let's back up to the good stuff. Black Dynamite (Michael Jai White) is a wise-cracking, lady-f-ing detective whose brother dies during an undercover operation. Also Dynamite knows Kung-fu--did I mention he knows Kung-fu?--because all black detectives in the 70's knew Kung-Fu. Complete with his own personal theme song and black and white opening credits, Dynamite kicks, f---s, and wise-cracks his way to the bottom of the case and the obligatory government conspiracy behind it that goes all the way to the top (literally)--amazingly, this over-the-top plot describes a number of "serious" films produced today.

Not only are the broad strokes of this film perfect but the real artistry is the details. Ridiculously staged acting, boom-mikes sneaking into the frame, a score as subtle as a Star Trek set, stock 'sploding car footage, and extras "accidentally" reading the stage directions ensure high rewatch value. Unlike the Zucker and Abraham films, all of these jokes are delicate and restrained--you won't know a joke happened until you think about it for a second. The film handles its subject matter so perfectly; sometimes you forget you're not watching an actual blaxploitation film. Rarely do you find a film that manages to sum up an entire genre as effortlessly as Black Dynamite.

Yet it doesn't feel like enough material to carry a whole movie; it works for a five minute skit but is it worth padding out over ninety minutes? SNL tried this several times and they all sucked. Remember Pat?...I apologize for that, it was out of line. Forget that waddling mound of girl/boy fat. Black Dynamite is a cut above the rest of those movies yet suffers from some of the same symptoms. Relentless subtlety can be just as bland as relentless action, if you rely on it too much the audience becomes desensitized. All great movies strike a balance between the two.

The movie is definitely worth checking out though. It's well-made and hilarious, meaning it couldn't have come from anything too mainstream like Twilight or From Justin to Kelly. Additionally there are plenty of titties for the people too embarrassed to enter the semen encrusted section in the back of Blockbuster. I mean... lots and lots of titties for every race and creed your perverted heart can imagine. Put your credit card away, don't sign up for the free trial period, just rent this movie. At least your TV screen won't fill up with all those useless penis growth ads. Damn things never work.