SUPERFLY
US, 2018, 116 minutes, Colour.
Trevor Jackson, Jason Mitchell, Michael Kenneth Williams, Lex Scott Davis, Jennifer Morrison, Esai Morales, Kaalan Walker.
Directed by Director X.
The original Superfly from 1972 was part of the very popular exploitation era of American filmmaking, featuring African-American stars like Fred Williamson, Richard Rountree, Pam Grier… Super fly featured Ron O’Neal and Julius Harris. They were tough, assertive for African-American presence on screen, had quite a following amongst African-American audiences but beyond. The very much part of the culture of the time.
In later years, there were some attempts to revive the black split in genre, especially with Samuel L Jackson in the 2000 Shaft. This version of Super fly is another attempt, moderately popular with audiences, not receiving much critical acclaim. It takes advantage of 21st-century greater openness on screen in terms of violence, sexual activity, language.
It follows the same basic plot, drug dealers, dealers wanting to get out of the game, partners, doublecrossing, corrupt police, glamorous girlfriends… The star is Trevor Jackson, best known for 87 episodes of Grown-ish, along with Michael Kenneth Williams. The director is Director X, director of many music videos, some including Trevor Jackson.
Not necessary viewing except for those doing a history of blaxploitation films.
