While Short on Soul, ‘SuperFly’ Is Still Pretty Damn Stylish

Photo Credit: Sony Pictures Entertainment

In an uninspired world in which rampant reboots and nostalgia are all the rage, SuperFly is the latest film to boldly go where we’ve already been before. Originally released in 1972, this 2018 Bad Boy remix is buoyed by “Grown-Ish” standout Trevor Jackson and his immaculate perm. But does his performance, as well as the rest of the movie, meet or exceed the original? I’m glad you asked. Grab a seat.  

Do you remember your parents threatening to disown you the first time you played Biggie’s “Big Poppa” around them? Sure, the chords and bassline sound familiar. But who the hell is this fat nigga rambling about cheese eggs and Welch’s grape juice? That’s SuperFly. Or at least this iteration of it. 

While Ron O’Neal exuded confidence and charisma as he disposed of kilos of cocaine and bell-bottomed jive turkeys, Jackson borrows all of the cool but can’t quite replicate the soul. He’s like a Fox News article about Black Twitter. And while Director X and screenwriter Alex Tse are partly to blame for omitting the complexity that made Youngblood Priest such a compelling figure in the original, this soundtrack, helmed by Russell Wilson’s nemesis Future, doesn’t do this film any favors. While rife with the trap drums and warbling that’s dominating the Billboard charts, it adds a whole lot of not a damn thing to the story itself. Which is exactly why Curtis Mayfield's iconic crooning from the original film was called in to save the day. 

But for what it lacks in soul, it delivers in style and flair. If you grew up on music video mainstays “Video Soul” or “MTV Jams” in the 90’s (AKA The Greatest Decade Of All Time And No It’s Not Up For Discussion), then you’ll find delight in Director X’s penchant for vibrant hues and gratuitous camera tricks. Fistfights leap off the screen, wardrobes follow suit, and we’re even treated to a nipple or seventeen as a consolation prize. 

So while SuperFly won’t be taking home any Oscars, it won’t be exiled to BET rerun purgatory either. It’s a fun flick that while not quite “Between The Sheets”, is still enjoyable as a refurbished “Big Poppa”. Just do yourself a favor and don’t tell your parents. 

Join Alex & Team GetSomeJoy at Self-Care Check-In Live: Pre-Launch Edition

OH, HEY. So, for the past year or so, Alex has been working with his GetSomeJoy team to develop a digital wellness content and event network to spread joy and promote wellness among Black and brown folks. They're kicking off a new #SelfCareCheckIn movement with a pre-launch conference call with some special guests to share what they've been up to and have a light and casual chat about wellness and how we can be greater together.

DETAILS:

Self-care is a full-time job, but what does self-care mean to you? How can we engage our communities in the battle against spiritual ashiness? Join mental health advocate Alexander Hardy (The Extraordinary Negroes) and Team GetSomeJoy for a discussion on wellness and self-care for Mental Health Awareness Month, featuring Andrew Shade, Editorial Director of Broadway Black and Ricky Neal, Head of Diversity & Inclusion for Crisis Text Line. 

About our guests:

Andrew Shade (Broadway Black)

Andrew Shade has a burning passion that lies in the arts. Originally from Fort Wayne, IN, he resides in the heart of Harlem, helping to lead the way in building a more diverse and knowledgeable audience in the theatre world. He is the Founder & Editorial Director of Broadway Black, a digital platform dedicated to highlighting the achievements and successes of African-American theatre artists on and off the Broadway stage. Broadway Black has taken the theatre industry by storm & has been excelled by the likes of Ben Vereen, Jennifer Hudson, & Misty Copeland just to name a few.However, Shade feels the greatest achievement has been using his experience and knowledge of the industry to create a community celebrating his own. Recently awarded The Mountaintop Award by Actors Equity Association & BOLDNYC for being a trailblazer. "There is no greater joy than fueling & inspiring those who once thought the theatre was a foreign place to which they were not welcome," he says. He lives the life of the Broadway Black slogan, and shows what can happen "When The Theatre Goes Dark."

Ricky Neal (Crisis Text Line)

Ricky Neal is a country boy from Laurens, South Carolina who currently lives in Harlem. An alumnus of Morehouse College, Ricky taught third grade prior to taking positions at Crisis Text Line. He is passionate about the exposure to and quality of mental health care in marginalized communities.

You'll be able to join the conversation via conference call so you can listen from wherever you are. And it's $Free.99. Taddow.

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