Jones, o Faixa Preta

There's no way on earth I'm gonna argue that 'Black Belt Jones' is a great movie, even a very good one, but no matter how silly and cheesy it gets it's a hell of a ride and lots of fun! Let's face it this is b-grade exploitation fare deliberately designed to cash in on both the mid-70s blaxploitation boom and the success of Bruce Lee's martial arts classic 'Enter The Dragon'. Dragon's director Robert Clouse (who also made the hugely enjoyable post-apocalyptic potboiler 'The Ultimate Warrior') took karate champion Jim Kelly, who co-starred with Lee and John Saxon in that film, and tried to start a spin-off franchise with him. The big problem was that Kelly certainly had the fighting chops but his acting was only so-so and he was one of the least charismatic of all the blaxploitation leading men. Just compare him to Fred Williamson, Jim Brown, Richard Roundtree or Ron O'Neal and you'll see what I mean. Anyway, for one movie at least it didn't really matter. Kelly stars as Black Belt Jones who returns to the inner city karate school where he got his start after the death of his mentor Pop Byrd (the wonderful Scatman Crothers, who yes, kicks some butt before he is killed, a sight you'll never forget!). Jones teams up with Pop's estranged daughter Sydney (Gloria Hendry of 'Black Caesar' and 'Savage Sisters'), also a fighter, and his peeps to avenge Pop's death. The rest of the cast includes Eric Laneuville ('The Omega Man'), Earl Brown (Whisper from 'Live And Let Die'), and even Isaac the bartender from 'The Love Boat' as a Black Panther! This is a silly movie, but still loads of fun, with some very entertaining fight sequences, and some laughs, intentional and unintentional. 'Black Belt Jones' is mandatory viewing for all 1970s trash buffs.

This has got to be one of the most funky and hilarious movies of all time. The sheer amount of celery used is phenomenal. I especially enjoy Pinky's rhyme about bread, his groin, and coins. Some of the acting is poor and lack luster, notably BB's girlfriend. However, this adds a kind of camp or kitsch making the movie that much more enjoyable. Jim Kelley is by far one of the coolest brothers ever. This is definitely Blaxploitation at its finest.

Jim Kelly may not be in the class of Bruce Lee, but he does show some impressive martial-arts moves; his co-star, Gloria Hendry, more than holds her own. This flick is half blaxploitation actioner and half Bond movie; in both fields, you could do much worse. The plot is minimal, to say the least, and the silly sound effects used to "enhance" the various kicks and punches do date the film, but it's still very fast-paced, playful and thoroughly enjoyable. (**1/2)

How can you not love Black Belt Jones. Jim Kelly is an icon of the 1970's, most notably for his work in bruce's Lee's Enter The Dragon. He is great in this B-grade, self aware Blaxploitation film. It is kelly, sticking up for his friends trying to save a Karate school from being pushed out by the Mob as part of a redevelopment project. It is hokey. It is funny. It is way too politically incorrect to be made today. It is low budget but it is fun. The fight scenes and action and campy music all make the time pass quickly. The characters are all intentionally steriotypical. I Loved it for what it is.

Pop (Scatman Crothers) is a womanizing, gambling caricature, but he has a piece of property the Mob wants. He and his friends, win the first battle, but the Mob and their henchmen are persistent.

Jim Kelly Enter the Dragon, Three the Hard Way) is Black Belt Jones, and the action sequences certainly make up for the lack of acting ability.

Ah, but it is Florida Seminole Gloria Hendry (Across 110th Street, Black Caesar, Slaughter's Big Rip-Off) that attracts me to the film, and she doesn't disappoint.

Malik Carter (Cobra, Pervert!) as Pinky, the tool for the Mob was hilarious. he is the quintessential caricature of blaxploitation.