Black Dynamite: Critic Reviews

95%

MovieWeb: 6 reviews

85%

RottenTomatoes: 60 reviews

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Julian Roman MovieWeb (Top Critic)

70

A terrific satire of seventies blaxploitation classics
Full Review » 3 years ago
Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly (Top Critic)

92

Black Dynamite blends satire, nostalgia, and cinema deconstruction into a one-of-a-kind comedy high.
Full Review » 3 years ago
A.O. Scott New York Times (Top Critic)

50

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.
Full Review » 3 years ago
Wesley Morris Boston Globe (Top Critic)

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.
Full Review » 3 years ago
Melissa Anderson Village Voice (Top Critic)

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.
Full Review » 3 years ago
Elizabeth Weitzman New York Daily News (Top Critic)

75

The details are perfect, from the particle-board sets to the porn-ready score. (And dig those polyester suits.) But just like the movies it parodies, this one feels over long before it's actually done.
Full Review » 3 years ago
Cary Darling Dallas Morning News (Top Critic)

60

Black Dynamite will stir some pleasant memories.
Full Review » 2 years ago
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times (Top Critic)

75

I am happy to say it brings back an element sadly missing in recent movies, gratuitous nudity.
Full Review » 3 years ago
Michael Phillips Chicago Tribune (Top Critic)

Even though it sounds funnier than it plays, between the song and the nun chucks, I was happy.
Full Review » 3 years ago
Steven Rea Philadelphia Inquirer (Top Critic)

88

Full Review » 3 years ago
Bill Goodykoontz Arizona Republic (Top Critic)

70

If the joke is somewhat one-note and eventually told too long and too often, at least it's a good joke.
Full Review » 2 years ago
Rob Nelson Variety (Top Critic)

This film will delight both discriminating fans of the blaxploitation tradition and ordinary lovers of goofy, in-ya-face thrills.
Full Review » 3 years ago
Lou Lumenick New York Post (Top Critic)

50

A cheerfully affectionate if fit fully amusing spoof of '70s blaxpoitation movies, Scott Sanders' Black Dynamite painstakingly nails the cheesy look, music and martial arts moves of the originals.
Full Review » 3 years ago
Roger Moore Orlando Sentinel (Top Critic)

Full Review » 2 years ago
Robert Abele Los Angeles Times (Top Critic)

80

An enjoyable celebratory ode to a fiercely entertaining counterculture-inspired genre.
Full Review » 3 years ago
Dan Goodswen Total Film

80

As the titular ex-CIA man, White reveals comic talents to match his martial artistry, delivering one-liners and roundhouse kicks with the same killer precision.
Full Review » 2 years ago
Matt Bochenski Little White Lies

80

A brilliant laugh-out-loud slapstick crowd pleaser made with love and talent.
Full Review » 2 years ago
David Edwards Daily Mirror [UK]

80

Outta sight!
Full Review » 2 years ago
Wally Hammond Time Out

60

The portentous dialogue, two-track-recorded soundtrack (by Adrian Younge) and eager performances are all highly diverting.
Full Review » 2 years ago
Catherine Bray Film4

80

Hilarious, and at just 85 minutes long, never outstays its welcome.
Full Review » 2 years ago
Damon Wise Empire Magazine

80

Fond and very funny homage to the exploitation era.
Full Review » 2 years ago
Robbie Collin News of the World

80

A pin-sharp send-up of 1970s blaxploitation.
Full Review » 2 years ago
Matthew Turner ViewLondon

80

An enjoyable, frequently hilarious action comedy with a witty script and a terrific performance from Michael Jai White...
Full Review » 2 years ago
Charlie Lyne Ultra Culture

It works as well as it does largely because it displays such a genuine affection for the genre it pays tribute to.
Full Review » 2 years ago
Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed

75

Once you catch on to the string of in-jokes, the movie never stops making you laugh...
Full Review » 2 years ago