Black Belt Jones Blu Ray Review (Warner Archive Collection)

Black Belt Jones is a 1974 martial arts film directed by Robert Clouse (Enter the Dragon, Ironheart, China O’Brien franchise, Deadly Eyes, Game of Death, The Pack, and Force: Five). It was written and produced by Oscar Williams (Sudden Death, The Final Comedown, Truck Turner, and Hot Potato). It grossed $727,449 at the box office in the U.S. and Canada. Don Steffano (played by: Andre Philippe from Invasion of the Bee Girls and Hawaiian Eye) and The Mafia learn about land that’s about to very valuable from his associate Pinky (played by: Malik Carter from Cobra, Penitentiary II, and Emma Mae). They try to force out Papa Byrd (played by: Scatman Crothers from The Shining, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Truck Turner, Slaughter’s Big Rip-Off, Friday Foster, and Twilight Zone: The Movie) for his karate school location but he refuses to sell it. It ends up in a tragedy and his daughter Sydney Frazier (played by: Gloria Hendry from Live and Let Die, Savage Sisters, Black Caesar, Hell Up in Harlem, and Pumpkinhead II) is in danger from the greedy mob and other associates. Black Belt Jones (played by: Jim Kelly from Enter the Dragon, Black Samurai, Three the Hard Way, Golden Needles, Take a Hard Ride, and Death Dimension) decides to help out the unlucky woman. He is forced to use his martial arts skills to defend his community. These brutal gangsters will do anything to get this property but they messed with the wrong person this time!!!! Director Robert Clouse is no stranger to the martial arts sub-genre. This time he mixes it up with some blaxploitation. It has a very simple concept that works for this one. The script knows what type of feature it was making here. It focuses on revenge, fighting, and lots of over the top loud action. It has some unintentional moments that are hilarious in this, it kinda adds to it’s charm. Bad ass Jim Kelly was very comfortable in the Black Belt Jones role. It was tailored made for the martial artist. He was just okay actor to be honest but this is one of his better performances. Blaxploitation regular Gloria Hendry is great as the sassy Sydney. She holds her own with everyone in this. She steals the spotlight and she’s the best thing about Black Belt Jones. She’s feisty and funny. The supporting cast includes Scatman Crothers, Andre Philippe, Malik Carter, Eric Laneuville (The Omega Man), Alan Weeks (Shaft), Vincent Barbi (The Blob), Mel Novak (Game of Death), Eddie Smith (Rocky III), Alex Brown (Night of the Comet), Sonny Barnes (Truck Turner), Earl Maynard (The Sword and the Sorcerer), Earl Jolly Brown (Live and Let Die), Nate Esformes (Vice Squad), Esther Sutherland (Stir Crazy), and Robert Wall (Enter the Dragon). Black Belt Jones has an awesome soundtrack that really sets the tone for this revenge film. It has an interesting mix of villains with the ruthless mob and some vicious drug dealers. This low budget action production is so much fun and it’s really entertaining. The replay value is strong, it has some classic lines and the fight scenes elevated it. RECOMMENDED!!!! Let’s discuss this high definition presentation and special feature from the Warner Archive Collection! This 1080p (1.85:1) transfer is from a brand new 4K restoration from the original camera negative. It’s a huge improvement over all the previous DVD and VHS home video releases. It’s probably the best that it will ever look, I just don’t see this one going to 4K at all. It has an English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track on the disc. The audio is fantastic especially for being a lower budget 70’s martial arts feature. Black Belt Jones doesn’t disappoint when it comes to some high impact loud action. All of the dialogue is crystal clear, the revenge is elevated, and the music has a killer boost to it. It has English SDH subtitles. It has the “Theatrical Trailer”. It’s available everywhere right now, CHECK IT OUT!!!!