Review of Cleopatra Jones (1973) by William W — 14 Jul 2015
Silly but enjoyable blaxploitation about super spy Cleopatra Jones working with the police to take down a major drug dealer, dishing out healthy helpings of kung-fu and one liners. Director Jack Starrett is someone who I think is an underrated action director, having made minor genre classics "Nam's Angels," "Hollywood Man" and the very underrated and little seen "Gravy Train" (never released on VHS, DVD or Blu-Ray, find that one at all costs if you can!).
He delivers solid action here, even if the martial arts/super spy vs. drug dealer story is the thoroughly average. Tamara Dobson didn't appear in many films, but at 6' 2" she lights up the scene when she starts fighting.
The film is also helped by having a cast of genre regulars including Max Julien, Bernie Casey, Antonio Fargas, Bill McKinney, Shelley Winters as the madam called "Mommy" and Don Cornelius appears as himself.
The action isn't as tough as say "Foxy Brown" and lacks the political subtext of Larry Cohen's "Black Caesar," but the film is a pretty enjoyable, if lightweight, blaxploitation flick.
This review of Cleopatra Jones (1973) was written by William W on 14 Jul 2015.
Cleopatra Jones has generally received mixed reviews.
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