I'm Gonna Git You Sucka

I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) was Keenan Ivory Wayans directorial debut. He also wrote and stars in this production. Keenan stars as Jack Spade an ex-veteran who returns home after a stint in the army. The death of his younger brother June-Bug Spade and the vicious "assault" on his mother by two local thugs (Damon Wayans and Kardeem Hardison) causes Jack to wage war on the criminal elements in his neighborhood. But he's going to need help toppling the evil Mister Big (John Vernon). So he enlists the help of the former local crime fighter Slade (Bernie Casey) and his co-horts Hammer, Slammer and Kung-Fu Joe (Jim Brown, Issac Hayes and Steven James). Will these vigilantes be enough to end the crime spree of Mister Big?

A flat out funny film from Keenan Ivory Wayans. Not only did this film jump start all of these older actors careers, but it was popular enough to warrant a series pilot (a t.v. remake of this film called Slade, Hammer and Slammer) and it helped the Wayans create another show for Fox called In Living Color. The rest is history.

Highly recommended.

If you know Keenen Ivory Wayans and Damon Wayans ONLY for their TV work or movies such as Major Payne or Scary Movie, then you have only seen them at their most mediocre. Unlike these other works, the jokes are not are consistently funny.

The film is a very funny send-off of the terrible Blaxploitation films of the 70s. The jokes come one after another after another and very few of them miss the mark. It is pure mindless fun from start to finish. Additionally, many old stars of the genre are here, though I might have enjoyed seeing a few more of them.

One word of warning though: if you are a die-hard, bleeding-heart, politically correct individual, this movie MIGHT give you a heart attack! We showed this movie to such a friend and we eventually had to turn off the video because she was having heart palpitations! But, for everyone else, this is a hilarious film. Also, it may help to try watching a couple Blaxploitation films FIRST to help you understand the parody better.

FYI--Because of the language and brief nudity, this is not a film for the kids. My advice to parents is to watch the film secretly and then feign shock when your kids ask to see it! When the kids are at least teens, then it's probably okay to let them know the truth--that this is a great little comedy.

One could argue that there have been plenty since (Black Dynamite being the king of the hill), but I'm Gonna Git You, Sucka is an altogether likable sendup of blaxploitation. Featured here is an array of good actors and scene stealers alike (Clarence Williams III is a stand-out), some killer one-liners and an irreverent sense of humor. I can easily see this share a double bill with Hollywood Shuffle.

Spoof on the blaxplotation films of the 1970s. Starts right off in "Any Ghetto U.S.A." where a young black man has died of O.G. (overabundance of gold chains). His brother Jack (Keenan Ivory Wayans) comes home from the army to find the people who "hooked his brother on gold". With a couple of older black men (all from the 1970s films) they decide to clean up the town.

Now it sounds pretty stupid--but it actually works. There are some real bad jokes but the good ones outnumber those vastly. The whole cast plays it straight with plenty of small roles or cameos from veteran 1970s actors. You don't have to know the old films to enjoy this but it does help a few times. It's really good to see Antonio Fargas back in a film making fun of his 1970s image. John Vernoon (Dean Wormer from "Animal House") is also lots of fun as Mr. Big. And Ja'net DuBois is hysterical as Jack's overprotective mother. And--since this is directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans--most of his family shows up in small roles. Sure it's silly and stupid but also very funny. Turn off your brain and enjoy! By far the best thing the Wayans have ever done.

Oddly enough then I haven't actually seen the 1988 action crime comedy "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" before now in 2021. And I have to say that the movie definitely have heavy influence of blaxploitation to it. But of course, with it being a parody on that genre, duh...

First of all, I must say that I was actually surprised with how entertaining and enjoyable "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" turned out to be. Initially I had not sported much of any hopes for the movie, given its title. But I hadn't even checked who was in it. Perhaps if I had, then my expectations would have been amped.

I will say that the cast ensemble that they got together for "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" was just extraordinary. The movie is absolutely crammed with familiar faces in bigger and smaller roles. I was rather surprised with the sheer number of famous people that participated in this movie. And if for nothing else, then the cast ensemble alone does actually make the movie worth watching.

The storyline told in "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka", as written by writer, director and star Keenen Ivory Wayans, was really entertaining. The storyline managed to combine elements of action and comedy rather well, while at the same time still being able to present a movie that felt like it was equal parts parody and seriousness.

While the movie was made back in 1988, this is a movie that is very watchable and enjoyable even now in 2021. The movie has aged well, and it definitely feels like it had potential to be a timeless movie, one that you can watch well into the future as well.

My rating of "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" lands on a well-deserved six out of ten stars. If you haven't already seen "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka", then I can warmly suggest that you sit down to watch it, should you find yourself with the opportunity to do so.