Original Gangstas (1996) **1/2
For his final feature film, Original Gangstas (1996), director Larry Cohen came full circle to the genre that he cut his teeth on, blaxploitation. For Gangstas, Cohen reunited with recurring blaxploitation actor Fred Williamson, star of the director's second film, Black Caesar, and its sequel Hell Up In Harlem (both 1973), who also co-directs here (uncredited). Other heavyweights of the genre such as football legend Jim Brown (Slaughter (1972)) and Pam Grier (Coffy (1973), Foxy Brown (1974)) co-star, with Richard Roundtree (Shaft (1971)) and Ron O'Neal (Super Fly (1972)) also making appearances.
Much of Gangstas is quite good—the sense of gritty realism is palpable, Cohen's direction is assured and he seems to eschew the improvisation he's known for, opting for a more polished look and feel. There's even scenes that almost reach the kind of emotional weight that a film like Boyz N The Hood (1991) contains. Where this film falters is when it switches gears to become the kind of b-movie actioner that is typical of Cohen's wheelhouse. I found that the tonal shift undermined what came before it and while still enjoyable, it felt odd after so many scenes that took a more serious approach touching upon real-life issues like gang violence in a community seeking peace. The ending especially seems to suggest that it's all just good fun.
While Gangstas is a decent modern blaxploitation joint with upped violence, it's ultimately a mixed bag—a movie that can't decide if it's making a statement or is just entertainment.
Much of Gangstas is quite good—the sense of gritty realism is palpable, Cohen's direction is assured and he seems to eschew the improvisation he's known for, opting for a more polished look and feel. There's even scenes that almost reach the kind of emotional weight that a film like Boyz N The Hood (1991) contains. Where this film falters is when it switches gears to become the kind of b-movie actioner that is typical of Cohen's wheelhouse. I found that the tonal shift undermined what came before it and while still enjoyable, it felt odd after so many scenes that took a more serious approach touching upon real-life issues like gang violence in a community seeking peace. The ending especially seems to suggest that it's all just good fun.
While Gangstas is a decent modern blaxploitation joint with upped violence, it's ultimately a mixed bag—a movie that can't decide if it's making a statement or is just entertainment.
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