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Super Fly (1972) + Extras

Date: 8 Nov 2015 08:17:00

Super Fly is a cocaine dealer who begins to realize that his life will soon end with either prison or his death. He decides to build an escape from the life by making his biggest deal yet, converting the coke to cash and running off to start a new life. The problem is that the Mob does not have a retirement plan and will give him a choice of staying and selling for them or dying if they find out his intentions.

Includes commentary track by Dr. Todd Boyd (Professor of Film Studies at USC).

IMDB

Youngblood Priest (Ron O'Neal) is a well known drug pusher, but he is better known by his name on the streets, Superfly. Priest has made loads of cash by slinging cocaine and other drugs, not to mention other illegal practices. His reputation is a hard one, as he is a fair man until you don't settle up your debts. Then Priest becomes a madman and will do whatever it takes to secure his cash. He might force a man's wife out on the streets, to work as a prostitute until the debt is settled, or just resort to violence to shake up the slackers. But even with all the money and power his position on the streets has allowed him to possess, Priest has started to look outside the ghetto and think about his long term future.

Priest has seen what happens to most of the hustlers and hoods, whether it be time in prison or a trip to the morgue. Few men have done as well as Priest and none have managed to escape the lifestyle, though Priest plans to be the first. In order to make his run, he needs a large amount of starting cash. That means more drug deals, but Priest has intentions of only doing one more deal, though it will be the biggest of his life. If he can make it work and pocket the profits, he should be able to leave and get a fresh start. But with his bosses wise to his plan and unwilling to let him go, will Priest be able to make it happen?
This is one of the crown jewels of blaxploitation, which means that of course, it is one hell of a cool, kick ass picture. Superfly is not hilarious like Dolemite or in even the same vein as Shaft, but it has the same kind of themes. Ron O'Neal is superb in the title role here, so much so that his career was slowed because he couldn't shake this character. The rest of the cast is passable, but O'Neal shoulders the film and carries it throughout. You have to give credit to the writers of Superfly, as the story is a good one and is well executed. A few shortcuts and leans can be found, but for the most part, this is a very well written picture. A lot of profanity, racial slurs, hot ladies, tricked out cars, and pimped out clothes make Super Fly a blast to watch. Not to mention Curtis Mayfield's soundtrack, which still packs a solid punch.

(click to enlarge)