Back in 2009, I gave the blaxploitation spoof Black Dynamite a qualified thumbs-up, stating in my original review that it couldn't decide whether it was "a kick-ass action film that subtly spoofs blaxploitation, or an all-out comedy."
Well, the animated series of the same name has resolved the issue, emphasizing some hilarious R-rated comedy. The series is due to debut on The Cartoon Network's Adult Swim on July 29, 2012, but the network released the 10-minute pilot - subtitled "Trouble on Puppet Street" - in Cyberland on August 8th. You can view the two-part episode here and here (Warning! This show is rated TV-MA-S for a very good reason).
If the rest of the series is anything like the pilot, this should be a fun show with no shortage of raunch and violence.
Adult Swim's Black Dynamite Animated Series Stars Michael Jai White, Kym Whitley
Black Dynamite (Michael Jai White) is the baddest mothaf- shut yo mouth! - in town. Despite wanting nothing to do with "those honkeys in the CIA," Agent Dennis Flynn (Corey Burton) keeps tapping him for missions. This time, Flynn wants Black Dynamite to investigate a beloved children's puppet, Kurtis the Frog (hmmm) who is setting up a diabolical plan to corrupt the nation.
With his pals Bullhorn (Byron Minns), Cream Corn (Tommy Davidson) and Honey Bee (Kym Whitley), Black Dynamite ventures onto Puppet Street, and learns it's very different from the idyllic place he remembered from his childhood.
First impressions? Fans of The Boondocks will quickly notice the animation style in Black Dynamite is very similar; I couldn't find out if JM Animation is handling both shows but I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case. Kudos also to whoever decided to bring back the original cast - no matter how good the substitute voice actor is, it just ain't the same.
Like the original movie, the animated Black Dynamite is a sharply-observed spoof of blaxploitation's tropes. Luckily, the animation is a lot clearer so you can see what's going on. Hopefully, if this show does well, they can increase the budget and get a few more kung fu fights in there.
Keep in mind this is not a show for the kiddies. Black Dynamite earns its TV-MA-S rating: the title character seduces any woman he can get his hands on, attacks The Man naked (note the extremely long blacked-out section) and everyone throws the words "b***h" and "m**********r"" around as often as possible. There's also a scene where our heroes battle puppets that are very reminiscent of the characters in a certain beloved children's series. It's funny, but potentially trauma-inducing.
Animated Black Dynamite A Whole Mess of R-Rated Fun
If you love the cheap thrills of classic blaxploitation (guilty!) and dig cartoon mayhem (also guilty!), then the Black Dynamite TV series is for you. The pilot episode gets a 4/5.
Dominic von Riedemann - Dominic is the Animated Film Feature Writer, and winner of 11 Suite 101 Editors' Choice Awards.
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