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Black Dynamite
Metascore
65 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    100
    Along the way, Black Dynamite blends satire, nostalgia, and cinema deconstruction into a one-of-a-kind comedy high.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Abele
    90
    An enjoyable celebratory ode to a fiercely entertaining counterculture-inspired genre.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Nathan Rabin
    83
    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.
  4. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: Peter Rainer
    83
    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?
  5. Variety
    Reviewed by: Rob Nelson
    80
    This film will delight both discriminating fans of the blaxploitation tradition and ordinary lovers of goofy, in-ya-face thrills.
  6. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    75
    It's one of those loving modern retreads of older genre movies.
  7. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Wesley Morris
    63
    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.
  8. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: James Greenberg
    60
    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.
  9. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    60
    Just like the movies it parodies, this one feels over long before it's actually done.
  10. Time Out New York
    Reviewed by: Keith Uhlich
    60
    Less deadpan spoof than loving act of possession, Black Dynamite near-fully channels the look and feel of its blaxploitation ancestors, warts and all.
  11. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: J.R. Jones
    60
    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.
  12. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Phillips
    50
    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.
  13. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Melissa Anderson
    50
    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."
  14. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: A.O. Scott
    40
    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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User Reviews

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User Score
8.7 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 43 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. AaronS
    9
    Hilarious. That's the best word to describe this film. Yes, it's one joke that plays out for an entire 90 minutes, but who cares? Any joke that can be told for 90 minutes and keep audiences entertained is one hell of a thing. The film hits the nail on the head every single time...even making fun of the poor production values from the blacksploitation era, with intentional "bad" editing, and ridiculous cheesy special FX. Even the acting is intentionally "bad." I can honestly say that this is the best comedy that has come out so far this year (and that includes The Hangover).… Full Review »
  2. keep_yr_bias
    10
    This is without question one of the five funniest movies I've ever seen. It's a spoof movie that is just as smart as it is dumb. The production is excellent... excellent in the sense that it looks exactly like a blaxploitation film from the 70's. Everything in it is campy as hell, but that's the way it's supposed to be. There are so many randomly hilarious moments that come out of nowhere, that make me laugh just thinking about it. Some may say it's a one joke movie, but you couldn't be anymore wrong about this movie. It's as entertaining as they come, and is only 1 hour and 20 minutes as it is, so it isn't overly indulgent like some comedies are. It's a quick, fun, hilarious ride, and is completely original. This is easily the funniest spoof movie of all time, and you don't even need to know anything about blaxploitation films to appreciate the humor.… Full Review »
  3. CooterPatooter
    9
    As a white midwestern teenager in the 90's, I haven't the foggiest what turned me on to blaxploitation films. All it took was a single viewing of "Cotton Comes to Harlem" and I was hooked on the genre forever. The edgy (for it's time), raw style of these zero-budget gems is perfectly captured (and parodied) by "Black Dynamite". The film's charm comes from the fact that it both lambasts and reverentially honors these films at the same time. Absolutely recommended!… Full Review »
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