Stephen Guy
MC301 Contributor
Arguably the best Netflix film of the year, Eddie Murphy, alongside a brilliant veteran cast, produces ‘Netflexcellence’ of a remake of a 1970’s crime/blaxploitation movie phenomenon, “Dolemite”.
“Dolemite Is My Name” is extremely rude, erotically crude, comically creative and dramatically diverting; it couldn’t have been any better.
In only its first month after release, “Dolemite Is My Name” has received high ratings by the most respected movie critic websites. IMDb gives the Netflix production a 7.5/10, Metacritic puts up a 76 percent score, and Rotten Tomatoes bumps their rating up to 97 percent, almost the same ratings as the Marvel blockbuster “Black Panther”.
“Dolemite” is a 1975 American blaxploitation crime comedy film and is also the name of its principal character, played by Rudy Ray Moore, who co-wrote the film and its soundtrack.
Moore, who started his career as a stand-up comedian in the late 1960s, heard a rhymed toast about an urban hero named Dolemite from a regular at the record store where he worked and decided to adopt the persona of Dolemite as an alter ego in his act.
The plot centers around Dolemite who is a pimp who was set up by Willie Greene and the cops. They have planted drugs, stolen furs, and guns in his trunk and he is sentenced to 20 years in jail.
One day, Queen B and the warden plan to get him out of jail and also get Willie Green and Mitchell busted for what the set-up. However, Dolemite is no stupid man and has a lot of warriors backing him, such as his call girls, who are karate experts and lots more. D’urville Martin co-starred and directed the film.
The cast members in this remake are so elite it was destined to be greatness from the very beginning.
The original blaxploitation star Moore is paid homage by the all around entertainer Eddie Murphy, who has been in a wide range of classic movies across different genres and generations.
Some of his best works include comedies like “The Nutty Professor”, “Norbit” and “Life”, romantic comedies such as “Coming to America” and “Dreamgirls” and Disney movies “Mulan” and “Shrek”.
Veteran actor Wesley Snipes portrays D’urville Martin. Snipes, a major action/drama/comedy movie star is best known for his roles in “Blade”, “Passenger 57”, “Demolition Man”, and of course “New Jack City”.
Jimmy Lynch is portrayed by none other than the incomparable Mike Epps, noted by his classic comedy experiences in “Next Friday”, “Friday After Next”, and “The Hangover”.
Keegan-Michael Key reprises the role of Jerry Jones. Key is known for his comedy sketches in “Key and Peele” and appearances in TV roles in “MadTV” and “Parks and Recreation”.
The role of Ben Taylor is taken on by Craig Robinson, best known for his comedic roles in movies like “Hot Tub Time Machine” and “Pineapple Express”, and highly rated TV shows “The Office” and Brooklyn Nine-Nine”.
The Netflix film even includes famous cameos by rappers/actors Snoop Dogg and T.I and actor/comedian Chris Rock.
Murphy’s production shines light on the life and success of Rudy Ray Moore, who he says he even met decades before and always wanted to show the generations after Moore what he was made of. Murphy believes Moore has not received the recognition that he deserves outside his generation, so the idea to make a motion picture story about him was pitched to Netflix.
The final result came out to be such a success, it was enough to even impress David Shabazz, author of the biography “Dolemite: The Story of Rudy Ray Moore”. “The movie was very close to the mark,” Shabazz said in a USA Today interview. He also stated that Eddie Murphy did an excellent job capturing the man and telling the story of what Rudy Ray Moore went through.
Murphy’s career work has spread across borders of entertainment that others cannot reach in the same way. The same can be said for his notoriety among different generations. His chemistry with films is special enough to blend the beauties of unlikely categories, which puts him in his own category as an actor. Murphy knows how to show his ageless, limitless talent as the “King of Cross Genres”.
Murphy is his name, and making classic movies is his game. Can you dig it?
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