Review of Black Dynamite (2009) by David T — 22 Aug 2010

The Basics: A 70's superman named Black Dynamite tries to rid his city of crime, avenge his brother's death, and keep the smack out of the orphanages (actual line), and this journey takes him a long way.

What's the Deal?: Greatest movie ever. Hands down. No contest. This movie is non-stop funny, action packed, and full of things that are at the same time referential and new. Sure, every character is one dimensional and says nothing but cliches. Sure the plot is thin and mildly contrived. But is it the most fun you will have watching a movie ever? Undoubtedly.

Things I loved about this movie: Black Dynamite referring to himself in the third person. Michael Jai White in general (he wrote the script, and starred. Nice career revival for him, by the way). Every time they referenced a 70's style of movie. The way the soundtrack talks about the plot, the way the soundtrack uses dialogue as lyrics, the hair, the costumes, the dialogue itself. The unexpected plot twists. The general ridiculous, unabashed craziness of it all.

Types of movies referenced and/or spoofed: Blaxploitation (duh), kung-fu movies (there is an island named Kung Fu Island in this movie, no lie), political thrillers, Vietnam war movies, and pretty much everything ever made in the 70's.

The Final Verdict: This is the greatest movie I have seen since Pulp Fiction and Wall-E. And I think it might be better simply because it is so unabashedly different in every single way. You will not watch this movie and be confused. You will not watch this movie and wonder whether or not you're being entertained. You will sit down and have fun for all 90 minutes of this movie, and that is what cinema should be about more than anything else. Instantly one of my top 5 favorite films ever. A+.