Your decision to see this film will probably be determined once you consider the following: it is a 1974 film that is both a blaxploitation film and a martial arts picture. As a regualr movie, it's not great, I'll admit, but as a genre piece (or genre pieces), it's better. I have more knowledge of blaxploitation films
than martial arts ones; for the former, it's damn good. How it truly ranks among its contemporaries in the latter is hard to say. For me, I think it's great as a martial arts film, but that's just me. It does help that this was directed by Robert Clouse (who directed Enter the Dragon) and that it stars Jim Kelly, who was also in Enter the Dragon.
Because of those bits of info, you can believe me when I say that the music is fun, and that the fight choreography is well done. The story is the typical convoluted mess of fighting mob factions with a smooth and badass alpha male caught in the middle. The acting's not great, but Kelly has presence, and it's fun to see Scatman Crothers as an older martial arts man. Gloria Hendry is easy on the eyes and is also fun to watch.
There's a lot of humor and some really entertaining scenes (action or otherwise). There's also some substance, but not a whole lot. What little bit of it there is though helps elevate into something more than just popcorn entertainment. Some highlights include the music, fun fashions, the image of tons of black dudes with afros doing martial arts, and the climax which takes place in a car wash.
This is one of the coolest, grooviest, and most entertaining 70s films out there. For the love of God do yourself a favor and check this one out- it's a wild and fun ride.
June 14, 2010
