Alright, fellow tape travelers, let's rewind to a time when comedy didn't just wink at its influences, it threw a full-on, joyous, slightly chaotic party in their honor. I distinctly remember grabbing the clamshell case for I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) off the shelf at 'Video Village' back in the day, drawn in by that audacious title and the promise of something wild. It didn't just deliver laughs; it delivered a masterclass in affectionate parody, a film that understood the Blaxploitation genre so well, it could rib it with genuine love. This wasn't just a movie; it felt like discovering a secret handshake among film fans.
### Back on the Mean Streets (of Comedy)
The setup is pure gold, dipped in satire: Jack Spade (Keenen Ivory Wayans) returns home from the army after his brother, Junebug, tragically "O.G.'d" – Overdosed on Gold Chains. Yes, you read that right. The local crime boss, Mr. Big, is flooding the streets with excessive gold jewelry, and Jack, channeling every stoic Blaxploitation hero ever, decides he's gotta clean up the streets. This requires assembling a team of legendary, slightly past-their-prime heroes, coaxing them out of retirement for one last, glorious mission. It’s a plot so perfectly absurd it could only come from someone who grew up glued to those very films.
### The Wayans Touch
And that someone was, of course, Keenen Ivory Wayans, pulling triple duty here as writer, director, and star in his feature directorial debut. You can feel his fingerprints all over this thing – the sharp observational humor, the willingness to push gags to their breaking point, and a deep understanding of the tropes he’s sending up. Watching it now, you can see the seeds being planted for In Living Color, the groundbreaking sketch show he'd launch just a couple of years later. It's amazing to think this entire production was mounted for a lean $3 million (roughly $7.5 million today) – a testament to Wayans' focused vision and resourcefulness. That initial investment paid off, pulling in over $13 million at the box office, proving audiences were ready for this kind of smart spoof.
### Legends Having a Blast
What truly elevates Sucka beyond mere parody is its inspired casting. Wayans didn't just imitate Blaxploitation icons; he recruited them. Seeing Bernie Casey (legendary star of films like Cleopatra Jones and Black Gunn) as the ultra-smooth John Slade, Isaac Hayes (yes, Shaft's theme song composer and actor himself) as the sledgehammer-wielding Hammer, Jim Brown (football god and action star of Slaughter, Three the Hard Way) as the explosives expert Slammer, and the unforgettable Antonio Fargas (Huggy Bear from Starsky & Hutch, an icon!) as the perpetually fly Flyguy is pure cinematic joy.
They aren't just cameos; they're integral parts of the comedy, playing exaggerated versions of their screen personas with infectious enthusiasm. You get the sense they were all in on the joke and having an absolute blast. There's a brilliant running gag where Slade's theme music follows him everywhere, played by a dedicated soul trio who physically pop up in the most unlikely places. It’s rumored that Wayans wrote the parts specifically with these actors in mind, banking on their willingness to poke fun at their own legacies. It paid off spectacularly.
### Pimps, Kung Fu, and Rib Joints
The humor ranges from pointed satire (the commentary on neighborhood gentrification, the absurdity of gangster tropes) to outright slapstick (Flyguy's platform shoes concealing goldfish, the disastrous attempt at infiltrating Mr. Big's lair). Remember Kung Fu Joe? Played hilariously by Steve James (known for the American Ninja series), his martial arts school is a whirlwind of nonsensical moves and over-the-top sound effects. And who could forget John Witherspoon's brief but legendary scene as the put-upon rib joint owner, lamenting the cost of one rib? These moments, packed with quotable lines ("How much for one rib?"), became instant classics among fans.
Yes, some of the gags feel distinctly '80s, perhaps a bit broad by today's standards, but the film's energy and cleverness shine through. It's less about punching down and more about a playful nudge, celebrating the style, the attitude, and even the sometimes-clunky conventions of the films it apes. It perfectly captures that feeling of watching those older movies late at night, where the earnestness could sometimes tip over into unintentional comedy – Wayans just makes it intentional and ramps it up to eleven.
### More Than Just a Spoof
While primarily a comedy, Sucka doesn't shy away from acknowledging the social commentary often present in Blaxploitation films, twisting it for comedic effect. Mr. Big isn't pushing drugs; he's pushing gold chains, a ridiculous metaphor for consumerism crippling the community. It’s this blend of sharp satire and goofy fun that gives the film its unique flavor. It managed to be both a tribute and a critique, a rare feat for a parody film. Critics at the time were generally positive, recognizing its wit and charm, and audiences embraced its infectious energy, helping solidify its cult classic status that endures today.
***
VHS Heaven Rating: 8.5/10
Justification: I'm Gonna Git You Sucka earns this high score for its brilliant concept, spot-on casting of Blaxploitation legends, sharp writing, and Keenen Ivory Wayans' confident directorial debut. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, smartly constructed, and overflowing with genuine affection for the genre it parodies. While some jokes show their age, the core comedic engine and the joy radiating from the performances remain timeless. It loses a tiny bit for occasional uneven pacing, but its high points are legendary.
Final Take: This is more than just a nostalgia trip; it's a cornerstone of 80s parody cinema. It’s funny, clever, and features iconic actors clearly enjoying sending up their own images. Fire up the VCR (or your modern equivalent) – Sucka still delivers the comedic goods, gold chains and all. You dig?