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Black Dynamite

EMAILPRINTSony Pictures

Black Dynamite reviews
65
9.7 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 14 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 17 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Action  |  Comedy

Written by: Scott Sanders
Byron Minns
Michael Jai White

Directed by: Scott Sanders

Release Date:
Theatrical: September 4, 2009
DVD: February 16, 2010

Running Time: minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: R for sexuality/nudity, language, some violence and drug content

Starring Michael Jai White, Arsenio Hall, Tommy Davidson, Kevin Chapman, Richard Edson, Darrel Heath, and Buddy Lewis

When “The Man” murders his brother, pumps heroin into local orphanages, and floods the ghetto with adulterated malt liquor, Black Dynamite is the one hero willing to fight all the way from the blood-soaked city streets to the hallowed halls of the Honky House. (Harbor Entertainment)

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

Along the way, Black Dynamite blends satire, nostalgia, and cinema deconstruction into a one-of-a-kind comedy high.

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90

Los Angeles Times Robert Abele

An enjoyable celebratory ode to a fiercely entertaining counterculture-inspired genre.

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83

Christian Science Monitor Peter Rainer

You could argue, I suppose, that this film, a Sundance hit, is essentially a funny sketch padded out to feature length. And what of it, my man?

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83

The Onion (A.V. Club) Nathan Rabin

Sometimes feels like an all-time classic short film stretched to feature length, but it’s blissfully short, and it peaks at the end with a groovy cartoon during the closing credits.

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80

Variety Rob Nelson

This film will delight both discriminating fans of the blaxploitation tradition and ordinary lovers of goofy, in-ya-face thrills.

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75

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

It's one of those loving modern retreads of older genre movies.

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63

Boston Globe Wesley Morris

Before an hour has passed tedium overtakes Black Dynamite - one corny martial-arts sequence turns out to be plenty - and all the good jokes dry up.

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60

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

Just like the movies it parodies, this one feels over long before it's actually done.

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60

Chicago Reader J.R. Jones

The movie gets old fast--mostly because it’s bringing up the rear after "Undercover Brother" (2002) And "I’m Gonna Git You Sucka" (1988). But the kung-fu climax at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (“the Honky House”) is nearly worth the wait, and Adrian Younge’s score, with its moody horns, is a perfect snapshot of early 70s soul.

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60

The Hollywood Reporter James Greenberg

Even if it's a one-joke movie that runs out of steam, director Scott Sanders manages to keep the gag going for 90 minutes.

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60

Time Out New York Keith Uhlich

Less deadpan spoof than loving act of possession, Black Dynamite near-fully channels the look and feel of its blaxploitation ancestors, warts and all.

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50

Village Voice Melissa Anderson

No matter how many trips to Kung Fu Island our hero makes, nothing in Black Dynamite captures the exhilarating absurdity of Pam Grier hiding razors in her Afro in "Coffy"--or the loony genre experimentation in "Pootie Tang."

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50

Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips

While White plays it supercool, Tommy Davidson and Arsenio Hall (as Cream Corn and Tasty Freeze, respectively) swing for the fences, without much in the way of a bat.

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40

The New York Times A.O. Scott

As a five-minute clip on YouTube, this spoof might be a small masterpiece. As a feature film, it’s both too much and not nearly enough.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 9.7 (out of 10) based on 17 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

beehive hornetnest gave it a10:
This movie is a diamond in the rough. what's up with the limited release in my city. That's ok cause the DVD is mine upon release. Cult Classic material.

J N. gave it a10:
Absolutely hilarious. I especially love the flashbacks. You don't even have to be old enough to remember the blaxploitation era, it's still funny.

Taylor R gave it a9:
Flat out, ridiculous hilarity from beginning to end. "I threw that one before i entered the room sukka!" Just go see it with a silly frame of mind and you'll thank yourself later.

Joshua S gave it a10:
Best, most entertaining film of 2009. Drive as far as you have to in order to see it. And to hell with the critics. Except Roger Ebert. He got it right about this one.

Sira-ha-ha gave it an8:
Always silly and occasionally smart. Definitely worth seeing in the theater.

eric gave it a10:
Greatest late night film experience since the first time i saw Heavy Metal, Up in Smoke, or Rocky Horror. must be experienced with a live crowd that is feeling the vibe to really get the total vision.

Read more user comments >

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