Black Dynamite Movie Review

Black Dynamite (2009)

Rent Black Dynamite on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: Michael Jai White & Byron Minns & Scott Sanders (screenplay), Michael Jai White & Byron Minns (story) 
Directed by: Scott Sanders
Starring: Michael Jai White, Arsenio Hall, Tommy Davidson
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
Black Dynamite is the greatest African-American action star of the 1970s. When his only brother is killed by The Man, it's up to him to find justice. 

Verdict
This is ridiculous in every way. It's a send up and homage of budget '70s action movies. Black Dynamite is a man's man and a ladies man and the movie won't let you forget that. The plot is silly, but that's the point. This often feels like one of the radio station parodies on Grand Theft Auto. While I didn't quite connect with this movie, I fully expect it's one that grows on you with each watch.
It depends.

Review
This leans into the budget movies of the 70s. Every scene wants to reinforce the coolness of Black Dynamite, and dialog is frequently overly dramatic.  As an homage to budget movies, this hits the mark. The joke is how bad those movies were, and this strives to emulate that from the plot and acting to cinematography. Maybe that's the reason I don't quite connect with this movie, the joke is that this emulates a bad movie.

Michael Jai White plays Black Dynamite.

This reminds me of Elvis & Nixon, at least what that should have been. This is zany in all the ways Elvis & Nixon was boring. Black Dynamite is on a quest to find out who killed his brother. Along the way he uncovers a conspiracy targeting the black community, and the children.

The movie is full of good lines. When Black Dynamite discovers drugs being pushed to kids, he states "not the orphanage, I used to be an orphan." Nearly every line is a joke, and my favorite scene is when Black Dynamite and crew piece together the clues to figure out who is behind the drug ring and assault on the community. They take incredible leaps.

The climax is completely ridiculous and fits the movie perfectly. While I though the movie was funny, it didn't connect. After writing this review I want to give it a second watch. I expect I'll like it a lot more the second time around after knowing what to expect.