“The pursuit of the American Dream is eternal – everyone’s always on the hustle, because you’ve got to be… and Superfly is about pulling off the ultimate hustle to get out of the game. “When I went back and watched the original, I was struck by how relevant the themes are,” said Director X. Separately, rapper 21 Savage is in talks to join the film in some capacity. and starred Ron O’Neal as Priest, followed African American cocaine dealer who tries to secure one more deal before getting out of the business.įuture will curate the soundtrack for the redo, following in the footsteps of legendary songwriter and musician Curtis Mayfield, who composed the original soundtrack, which went on to the a critical and commercial success. The original blaxploitation crime drama, which was helmed by Gordon Parks Jr. If you’re willing to overlook the glaring sexism and exploitation, it’s a fun and mostly polished flick.Tom Holland Says He's Portraying Fred Astaire In Upcoming Feature BiopicĪlex Tse will pen the screenplay.
#Superfly movie 2018 update
This reminder was not needed.Ī worthy update to a film more contemporarily known for its soundtrack, ‘SuperFly’ is fun and fluffy, just like Priest’s impressive coif. We’re so accustomed to seeing excellent car chases in movies these days that I’d actually forgotten it’s possible to shoot one poorly. But the low angle car close-ups, along with lethargic editing, make this entire sequence confounding. In broad daylight, through winding streets, with Priest in a Lamborghini, this chase should have been the action pinnacle of the movie. Perhaps the biggest sin in ‘SuperFly’ is the big car chase near the end of the film. The men, outside of Priest, are mostly painted as despicable humans too, but at least they get character names, motivation, and clothing. The women are mostly faceless strippers, with the occasional political pawn or angry girlfriend for variety. If you’re detecting a pattern in the deplorable treatment of women in ‘SuperFly’, you would be correct.
Priest has not one, but two girlfriends who are eager to join him in his steamy shower and let off a little stress. Priest is a character much bigger than life and makes ‘SuperFly’ feel like a fantasy and not reality.Īnd why not have a little escapism in cinema? The club scenes are lush, and dollar bills rain like a torrential downpour on a sea of strippers. He believes in knowledge and keeping his head down. Priest is a man of many catchphrases and skinny jeans. Naturally, there are some issues with his drug trafficking hierarchical faux pas, which then get compounded by the rival gang, and Priest’s own personal business proclivities.
He chooses to go above the head of his supplier (Michael Kenneth Williams) straight to the Mexican drug boss (Esai Morales). In order to make this plan happen, he’s going to make an enemy. But how shall he pay his bills and support his two girlfriends? Might as well up the quantity of cocaine he’s moving and create his very own accelerated retirement plan. When a chance encounter with a short-tempered member of a rival gang (Kaalan Walker) goes very bad very fast, Priest makes up his mind to get out of the game. He has never been caught by the cops and intends to keep it that way. He’s the head of a small group of cocaine dealers, and he prides himself on somehow dressing sharp yet laying low. Our main guy is Youngblood Priest (Trevor Jackson). Visually, the film has no subtleties and its satirical enhancement of the world saturates every character and every set. And the gangs all wear coordinating outfits. The cocaine comes in massive bricks, not teeny vials. The parties are over the top, with champagne flowing and bodies gyrating. Taking place in present day Atlanta, ‘SuperFly’ is all about excess.
Whether it’s a reboot or a remake, ‘SuperFly’ is an overall fun but flawed entry into the Neo-Blaxploitation genre.