Review: Baadasssss! (B)

Baadasssss!
Directed by Mario Van Peebles
Starring Mario Van Peebles, David Alan Grier, Joy Bryant, Ossie Davis
MPAA: R
Grade: B

Review by Bobby Nashville

Melvin Van Peebles was TRULY a badass and as the director and producing force behind the 1971 film Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, he was a revolutionary. Independent film is the name of the game today but in the early 70's, it was completely unheard of.

Baadasssss! is an homage to Melvin (directed by his son Mario) and it tells how one of the nation's most popular indie films was made. Mario stars as his father and Khleo Thomas plays the young Mario. Melvin was a renegade filmmaker, and coming off of the success of Watermelon Man, you would think every studio would have been throwing money at him. But Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song was not a comedy. Instead it showed a strong African American that was not afraid to fight back against crooked cops. Needless to say it was controversial. The film went on to be a monster hit and it remains influential to this day.

The love that Mario shows for his father through this film is evident here, and you have to give props to him for this excellent homage. For fans of 70's cinema, Baadasssss! is definitely worth a look. Look for small appearances by Bill Cosby, Sally Struthers, Ossie Davis (Night Gallery Season One) and Adam West.