Super Fly T.N.T. (1973)

User Rating:

4.8/10   

Director:

Ron O'Neal

Writers:

Phillip Fenty (writer)
Alex Haley (screenplay)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Same dude with a different plan... in another country with a different man.

Plot Keywords:

African American | Blaxploitation | Sequel

Cast

Ron O'Neal	...	Priest
Roscoe Lee Browne	...	Dr. Lamine Sonko
Sheila Frazier	...	Georgia
Robert Guillaume	...	Jordan Gaines
Jacques Sernas	...	Matty Smith
William Berger	...	Lefebre
Roy Bosier	...	Customs Man
Silvio Noto	...	George, Restaurant Proprietor
Olga Bisera	...	Lisa
Federico Boido	...	Rik, a Mercenary (as Rik Boyd)
Dominic Barto	...	Rand
Minister Dem	...	General
Jeannie McNeil	...	Riding Instructress (as Jeannie McNeill)
George Wang	...	Poker Player
Fernando Piazza	...	Poker Player

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Everybody Hates Chris: Everybody Hates Food Stamps (#1.9)" (2005)

Good action later, kind of boring at first

The movie opens with scenes of what turns out to be Rome. I didn't know where this was set, and I had no knowledge of the original 'Superfly', but I was curious. When I saw the Colosseum, I knew where it was.

A group of rebels in an African desert gets ambushed, their weapons are taken, and the men are killed. Dr. Sonko is in the room when one of the rebel leaders is informed about what has happened. Later, Dr. Sonko goes to Rome. As it turns out, he wants Priest to help him.

The first half of the movie didn't make a lot of sense, possibly because I didn't know the characters. I know they were playing poker, and that's about it. I did like Jordan Gaines, who was funny, and I wouldn't have recognized him had I not seen Robert Guillaume's name in the credits. I enjoyed hearing Priest say things like 'Can you dig it?'

The music added to the movie, especially where there was what sounded like a traditional African performance mixed with 70s American soul. Scenes of African culture about halfway through the movie, including women carrying baskets on their heads, and people doing local crafts--these added to the movie as well.

Roscoe Lee Browne is such an excellent actor. So I was surprised that he seemed distracted by his French accent, and not as talented as usual. But when he gave his big speech to Priest about why Priest should care about Umbia (I'm guessing at the spelling), THAT was the Roscoe Lee Browne I expected.

Sheila Frasier did a good job as Georgia. Ron O'Neal's ability came through more in the second half, with some good though violent scenes where Priest had to use both intelligence and physical ability. The ending was great.

I'd like to see the original 'Superfly'.