31) BLACK DYNAMITE

Director: Scott Sanders
Stars: Michael Jai White, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Tommy Davidson, Byron Minns, Phil Morris, Kevin Chapman, Phil Morris
Year: 2009
Rating: R

Screenwriters Michael Jai White, Byron Minns, and Scott Sanders understand the number one rule of producing a parody: make it a funny-as-hell, but also a real homage - a love letter - to the film or genre it's playing on. Such is the case of Black Dynamite - an always-entertaining, often genuinely hilarious film about ex-CIA agent Black Dynamite (White) who, after the murder of his baby brother, takes on crime in his Los Angeles inner city neighborhood as he searches to avenge his brother's death. Along with his soul brothers Cream Corn (Tommy Davidson) and Bullhorn, Black Dynamite takes on the corruption of inner city youth as he joins forces with a militant leader Saheed to find his brother's killer, and discovers a conspiracy to keep the Black man down ... as he also courts a fine-ass, socially-conscious sistah named Gloria (Salli Richardson-Whitfield) in the process.

But will his martial arts skills, one hell of a big gun, and a bad-ass attitude (not to mention one sexy mustache) be enough for BD to be able clean up the streets for good? Damn straight it will - thanks to a great soundtrack, period sets and costumes that transport you right back to 1972, and the straitlaced, ingenious performance of Michael Jai White, who plays Black Dynamite with more suave, sophistication, and straight-up finery than Shaft, Superfly and Blacula (minus the teeth) combined. Armed with a supporting cast with character names like Mo Bitches (Miguel Nunez Jr.), Mahogany Black (Nicole Ari Parker), Sweet Meat (Brian McKnight), Tasty Freeze (Arsenio Hall), Kotex (NBA vet John Salley), Black Dynamite never strikes a false note in its authentic reproduction of the best blaxploitation films ever made ... yet plays them up with a real love for the genre, even as viewers can spot the occasional boom mike showing in-frame, or catches a flubbed line or blooper en route.

The ultimate conspiracy that Black Dynamite uncovers is the funniest part of the film, and how he and his friends defeat the bad guys is pure gold to watch. One of the best comedies this reviewer has seen in some time, Black Dynamite is one of those "instant classics" you'll want to catch more than once, to make sure you've caught all the jokes - and would be just as much fun with multiple viewings are the first time you watched it. Michael Jai White, terrific in so many things for so many years, finally gets his due here; terrifically! ****1/2 - Reel Awesome-Reel Must-See