The year is 1974, and the "blaxploitation" film genre is in full force. What began with "Watermelon Man" in 1970, the genre exploded on to the American cinema scene with films like "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song", "Shaft", "Superfly", "Blackula", "Black Caesar", "Foxy Brown" and a host of others. Blaxploitation was the first genre to focus on African-American directors and actors, and the first to have truly funky and soul-based soundtracks. Despite some criticisms from civil liberties groups at the time, this genre is now considered to be ground-breaking and instrumental in furthering the development of African-Americans in the film industry.
Black Belt Jones combines ballet-like martial arts choreography, hilarious dialogue (some unintentionally funny, I'm sure), and the most ass-kickingest, funkiest soundtrack of the era.
In Los Angeles, The Mafia learns that a new civic center will be built, and they buy all of the land for the site of the building—all except for one place: a karate school owned by Pop Byrd (Scatman Crothers). They arrange to have Pinky (Malik Carter) come by to force Pop to sell his land, but he is killed by them. It's up to the karate school's students to get the hero, Black Belt Jones (Jim Kelly), for help. Sydney (Gloria Hendry), the daughter of the late Pop Byrd, won't sell the building. Because both of them are marial arts experts, they join forces to "clobber the mob".
The opening credits, which features a score by Dennis Coffey, pretty much sums up this film - awesome! So awesome that it was once put on an awesome scale, but the scale broke, simply because the scale was meant for mortal films. This film is immortal. Kung-fu in a baby blue velour suit? Damn right. Heads through windows? Absolutely! The film doesn't even think about stopping there. The fight scenes are legendary, filled with incredible acrobatics, and super-realistic sounds! I'm sure that if I were to punch a man in the face, it would sound like a circus ringmaster cracking a whip. Those punches and kicks are just that powerful and just as goosebump-inducing as you want them to be.
Jim Kelly, who plays the title role, was a hot commodity. He had just been seen in Bruce Lee's epic Enter The Dragon, and he shows what incredible prowess he posesses. In the scene below, BBJ deals out some serious justice to Pinky's mob. The key to winning a fight is the element of surprise, and Pinky gets it every three seconds. Also, Batman makes a guest appearance.
Black Belt Jones was also one of the first blaxploitation films to openly endorse certain companies and organizations, as seen in this clip. Exciting!
Hey hey! Now I feel like getting some McDonald's! It may be 1974, but you can bet that all the brothers were lovin' it. This next scene will show a few truths about a chase. One, out of 15 guys, only one will have a gun, and he will miss when he shoots. Two, you can steal anything from people if you have a clever opener. Three, that you don't need underwear to be in a chase, and throwing it at your pursuers really pisses them off. Four, that painters will believe anything, and will be willing to buy more paint after they've wasted some.
Black Belt Jones is the secret to having a great time at the movies, with a loved one, or in your parents basement. Just remember this film if you're ever having a fight in a car wash. You'll be thankful.
No comments:
Post a Comment