USA, 1970s. After The Man kills his brother, and poisons the neighborhood with tainted liquor, kung fu fighter, Vietnam War veteran, and former CIA officer Black Dynamite vows to avenge his brother, waging a war that takes him all the way to the White House.
The take
As the 1970s brought about the civil rights movement, as well as the abandonment of the American Hays Code, the blaxploitation genre (portmanteau of “Black” and “exploitation”) became popular, with black artists reclaiming their image, albeit with B-films centered around themes of violence, drugs, and sex. Black Dynamite is an homage and parody to the genre, with low budget mistakes, over-the-top dialogue, and Super 16 shooting all combining in the most hilarious of ways through the smooth timing of leading man (and co-writer) Michael Jai White. It’s silly, and stereotypical, but all the jokes poke fun from a clear love and nostalgia of the genre.
What stands out
Michael Jai White… He’s got the looks, he’s got the attitude, he’s got the timing that makes his lines so hilarious.
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