Superfly Movie Review: A 21st century iteration of a Classic with its own vibe

Trevor Jackson seeks to redefine hustle in the remake of the 1972 blaxploitation hit film Super fly, the remake is directed by Director X and written by Alex Tse. If redefining hustle means neon lights, expensive cars, parties, sex, money, strippers, drugs, action and crime then the first half of the film ‘redefines’ it in a vibrant and verbose way.

The story is set in Atlanta where Youngblood Priest (Trevor Jackson) dreams of living the american dream in the ‘Black lives matter’ like era selling drugs around the city as a drug kingpin in which he is very successful. The film showcases music, culture, style and crime, the film revolves around these elements. Priest along with his talented girlfriend (Lex Scott Davis) and his right hand man (Jason Mitchell) sell drugs like its a stock market business with regular parties, clubbing and cars. But the violent part enters the film as the thread of their fate entangle with their competitor and rival drug selling gang named – the Snow Patrol (because its members remain dressed in pure spotless white garb). And after that the wheels begins to turn as the competition stiffens and they are forced to do things which they wouldn’t do otherwise. Priest and his friends get caught in between this bullet flying, car chasing, drug in-taking, ass kicking rivalry.

Comparing it to its predecassor 1972 Super fly starring  Ron O’Neal it doesn’t even come close to the classic, the 1972 is a musical symphony whereas the 2018 remake would be a fine orchestrated music, while the 1972 film was more meant for the people of that time with its racist 70s era and sure the racism has not ended today it just has changed its form and so did the 2018 iteration, it changed its form to serve the need and the style keeping in mind today’s youth and their tastes. Director X delivered with fine music, well scripted action sequences involving Mitchell and vibrant lifestyle. Trevor had some big shoes to fill in the film and he delivered on his part with his long military trenchcoat, his sleek trousers and his awesome, silky and shiny hair which Trevor dons fabulously.

Comparing both the film wouldn’t be right as both has their fair share of highlights and both stand apart from each other. Some scenes would remind you of the first film like the shower scenes (which is in both the films) the drugs, the gangs and the violence, there are violence, lots of gun fights, most involving the Snow Patrol and its hotheaded leader Juju (Kalaan Walker), but Priest keeps his cool and maintains a morality which doesn’t suit a drug lord. The biggest score of the film just like the 1972 one is the big money cleanup that will allow Priest and to retire and live as an honest man (one last job so big that they wouldn’t have to look back anymore). The film got mixed reviews from both the audience and the critics alike. It won’t stand apart but it’ll be worth watching.