Black Anaconda malt liquor gives you Little Richard!

Black Dynamite is Dy-no-mite! Almost parody like in the sense of its humor while at the same time paying homage to the Blaxploitation films of the 70’s. There is points in this flick that lead you to believe in the seriousness of the scene but then it goes to something so absurd that you again realize what type of genre this film falls upon. Long ago we had films like Shaft, Superfly, Dolemite, and Foxy Brown to name a few. These films had funk, catchy tunes and black protagonists that squared up against “The Man” or “The System” be either white corrupt cops or politicians or other forces that be.

These films popped up like crazy in the 70’s targeting African-american audiences with its flair and innovative refreshing appeal to see themselves in the limelight of power. Today that day is gone, as names like Will Smith and Jamie Foxx are house hold names. No more low budget blaxploitation films but instead films that are either parodies or those paying homage to the era and with an optional big budget. Black Dynamite is just that, a film that is insanely-eccentric and funny whilst at the same time paying homage in an amusing way.

Created by Scott Sanders and Michael Jai White, Black Dynamite tells the tale of a righteous brother, who’s got kung fu skills and knows just how to please the ladies. On his mother’s death bed he promises to protect his brother from the drug lords that are destroying the inner city. Upon hearing that his brother was killed, he swears revenge and sets out on a journey to get justice for those responsible. As he uncovers the mess he finds out this is not a simple hit but instead his brother’s assassination was part of a vast conspiracy to disempower blacks by hitting them where it hurts the worst, the crown jewels … the “little Richard” .. Pedro, yeah you get the point. And this isn’t just any conspiracy as it goes all the way to the top where the President of the USA Richard Nixon is involved.

The film is funny, a true save-the-world flick. Many folks who like films such as Naked Gun or Hot Shots will more than likely enjoy this absurd raunch fest where as others may not be able to appreciate the dumb humor. The actors did a great job nailing their parts, and it definitely shows. Boom mikes occasionally show up in the scenes to resemble its supposed to be a B-like movie from Blaxploitation style all while done purposely is sheer brilliance.

Black Dynamite explodes onto the scene with its wonderful MUCH NEEDED upgrade from its original source with a beautiful 1080p 1:85:1 framed transfer. Sony has been knockin’ video transfers out of the park lately and it’s been awesome to be able to review such titles. Black Dynamite still shares it’s gritty ruff textured look with the end user but it does so in class and in pure Hi-Definition. However, don’t confuse all my kind words with this being top of the line. It may actually be just that in according to its original 16mm stock, but the picture quality does suffer from some extensive grain at times albeit probably on purpose and thus suffice.

Another note worth mentioning is the sometimes colorful shade that laminates the screen due to a directorial decision to help engulf you in the movie experience for the selected time period. (The 70’s) At times there will be a tinted yellow over the picture or even a slightly tinted green that exhibits the time period well. Really, it’s actually very cool and still enjoyable so don’t fret. Sony probably did the very best job this film could have gotten for its video transfer to blu-ray but the original picture obviously held them with restraints. Don’t expect the world with the video transfer and go into this open minded and you will be undoubtedly entertained by this accurate transfer.

Blu-ray Screen Shot Gallery:

Black Dynamite has an impressive soundtrack coupled with a great musical score. Black Dynamite definitely has a fun track combined with catchy tunes of the time period. (The 70’s) Let me not forget to mention this is a DTS HD Master 5.1 Audio Track that punches its way through your speakers with both the boom and the clarity with its lossless track! The Center channel will bare a lot of work and this one is definitely front heavy as well.

The sound effects that resonate during the fight scenes will definitely engulf you in the moment as the sub hits effectively and precisely. In fact, we might as well just say when it comes to the sub, “Boom goes the dynamite.” Haha. Sure it’s not a Terminator Salvation in terms of the subwoofer puttin’ in work beyond belief but don’t be fooled as when its needed it’s there! The rears get a good amount of play as well but nothing more than the usual except that the fact of its high clarity due to its lossless soundtrack. All in all, the audio track is top notch and highly respected in my book as it really makes a title like this stand out. The gun shots are vicious and precise sounding as opposed to just some loud bang, and the nun-chuck action is of course highly amusing and receptive to the ears.

The supplemental package doesn’t offer a whole lot, but on the same hand I wasn’t expecting blockbuster movie material in terms of content in regards to it’s features and neither should you. Let’s take a glimpse of what Black Dynamite on blu-ray does have to offer in its supplemental package.

Audio Commentary Track: The main feature on Black Dynamite is the audio commentary track with Director/Co-writer Scott Sanders and Actors/Co-Writers Byron Minns and Michael Jai White. The group discusses the history of the genre at hand and how they went about choosing certain cast members, film locations, performances, and much more at pleasantly amusing pace.

The Comic-Con Experience: (1080i) This feature is pretty cool as it takes viewers on a viewing of the Comic-Con press conference and shows keynote speakers Scott Sanders, Michael Jai White, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, and Byron Minns.

Lighting the Fuse: (1080p) Discussion with the cast and crew on the basis of characters, the look of the picture, sticking to the originality by utilizing 16mm film, costume designs, locations, you name it. This piece is a really entertaining backdrop to the movie in the sense of how it all came about.

The 70’s Back in Action: (1080p) Discussion of the times and what stuff found its way into the film from that era along with influences from the Blaxploitation cinema days.

Alternate & Deleted Scenes: (17: 480p)

BD-Live Functionality

Sony’s MovieIQ

1080p Trailers: Soul Power, This Is It, Zombieland, The Boondock Saints II: All Saint’s Day, and a few more.

The bottom line is that you need to know what about you’re about to watch before watching this. If you go in thinking you are about to see an Oscar worthy movie then you will hate this. This is a piece of homage towards the Blaxploitation films of the 70’s and Michael Jai White knocks his part out of the park. Expect insane, stupid, funny, witty humor. Good ol’ brain dead fun. The most absurd things you can conjure up are in this movie, It’s black comedy blaxploitation meets Naked Gun and Hot Shots. With that being said, the video quality is great, but keep in mind the director was smart and witty enough to even utilize that as a tool. Meaning, there are parts where he wanted it to look less quality like in the sense of keeping it real to the genre and its B-movie like presence. The audio quality is outstanding and top notch, while the supplements are decent and intriguing. You really gotta like stupid movies to enjoy this one immensely but the casual go’ers of these types of movies or widespread humor will still find it rather enjoyable. I highly recommend this for a rental if not a purchase based on the stereotype you fit in as a movie watcher. This film’s audience has its niche.