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Jim's Real Detroit Column 11/18/99

It seems that the easiest way to make a successfully funny film must be to make a parody (this comes from someone who is obviously more of a movie-watcher than movie-maker). The better ones not only spoof a well known and/or respected subject, they do it in a matter that can be taken as a loving homage to their inspiration. Most famous among the contributors to this genre, by sheer volume alone--Kentucky Fried Movie (1977), Airplane (1980), Top Secret (1984), etc.--are the Zucker brothers (David and Jerry) and their often partner Jim Abrahams. However, in 1988 when Zuckers and company brought their first Naked Gun to the screen, Keene Ivory Wayans threw his I’m Gonna Git You Sucka’ into the theaters using the very same rapid-fire, dumb-joke, something’s-gotta-work formula and applied it to the blaxploitation film with equal success.

The film opens in ANY GHETTO, USA, where young Junebug has just been found dead in a vacant lot. The kid has OG’d--overdosed on gold--his body covered with more gold chains than Mr. T’s. To make matters worse, Junebug died owing his “gold” pusher Mr. Big (John Vernon) $5000.00. The mobster now expects Junebug’s mom and sister to pay up. Junebug’s brother Jack Spade (Wayans) arrives home from the army with a chestful of medals (for surfing and such) and vows to avenge Junebug and to make the streets once again safe from the likes of Big.

Jack recruits the now middle-aged black superheroes of his youth, each played by a blaxploitation star now past their prime. John Slade (Bernie Casey), Hammer (Isaac “Truck Turner” Hayes), Kung Fu Jones (Steve James), and Slammer (Jim “Slaughter” Brown) join forces with Jack to take on Mr. Big. Additional help comes from former “Pimp of the Year” Flyguy (Antonio “Huggy Bear” Fargas) who affectionately recalls his pimp-pageant winning poem, “My Bitch Better Have My Money” while strutting around in fur and fish-filled aquarium/platforms.

In the last few years, ’70s blaxploitation has risen to cult status. In 1988 that wasn’t the case and consequently I’m Gonna Git You Sucka didn’t get much attention and even less respect. Sure, Sucka is filled with sophomoric lines, at times predictably unfunny, and lacks the pacing that is generally necessary for a comedy to work. But Wayans, through his use of key cameos (Clarence Williams III, Eve Plumb, Chris Rock), his infusion of the near-schtick familiar to fans of his In Living Color TV show (even the soundtrack garners a few laughs), and his affection for the macho-action black films of yore, delivers many memorable laughs while giving blaxploitation the tribute that it deserves.

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