Customer Rating: 
Summary: BADA! BADA-BA-BA BADABADA!! DUH DUHHHHH!!!
Comment: When I see this movie I immediately start to compare it to similar movies: Karate Kid, No Retreat No Surrender, Gymkata, and, of course, The Last Dragon with Bruce Lee Roy. Actually, that's quite a comparison.
Whereas The Last Dragon attempts to be somewhat serious, Black Belt Jones is an attempt at seriousness in the early 70s, a time when the freeze-frame credits (ala Austin Powers) were all the rage, stupid looking clothes stole credibility, and horrible soundtracks raped the movie-going experience. Each movie is hilarious in its own way, but BBJ just became so dated so quickly that it's hard not to love this movie and laugh at it at the same time.
In downtown LA, the Watts district to be exact, the Mob is moving in on everyone's territory. It's not a new idea. There is, as always, one guy holding out and giving the Mob trouble. In this case, it's ex-karate champion Pop Byrd and his karate school. This is where it gets funny. The Mob sends a "tough-guy" named Pinky to rough up Pop, but instead gets his @** handed to him a few times ofr his troubles. Eventually, Pop becomes too much trouble and is murdered by one of Pinky's cohorts. Enter Black Belt Jones (Jim Kelly from Enter the Dragon fame) to save the day.
BBJ is basically the coolest, baddest cat alive. He's got the pimp and swagger of The Mack, the funky dance moves and jive talk that earn him street cred, an afro that rivals even the best SoulGlo jheri curl, and the karate skills to beat down anyone who gets in his way.
The movie is replete with cheesy 70s details that we all love. There are hilarious lines with slang like "I gots Superfly", outrageous trampoline fight scenes, the aforementioned hideous clothing, and firecracker sounds when anyone gets hit with a karate chop.
The line that always makes me laugh is when BBJ is fighting Pinky in one of the funniest fight scenes in history. BBJ has a friend turning the lights on and off at intervals, and BBJ is popping up, kicking and punching the Mob henchmen. At one point Pinky says, "Who hit me?!" In the dark, BBJ replies, "Batman, muthaf*#&a!"
This is easily one of the best bad movies of all time. It's completely unbelievable, incredibly funny from a time when movies were made just for entertainment purposes. And if you don't understand the title for my review, watch the movie. You'll not only know it, you'll love it.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Ok, Pretty Bad, But There Are Some Nice One-Liners
Comment: There are few redeeming qualities with this movie. Robert Clouse, who directed "Enter the Dragon" directs this Jim Kelly vehicle so Warner Brothers can try and capitalize on "Enter the Dragon" success with this very low-budget yarn. This movie shows that Bruce may have had more say in Enter the Dragon's direction which has been suggetsed by many over the years. Clouse's direction is horrible, but maybe his heart wasn't in it.
Jim Kelly is adequate for the part, but the fight scenes lack any real interest and many of the scenes are down right corny (not camp, but corny, I can handle, if not love camp, but corny is just plain horrible). One will observe a young Eric Lanuiville (A Force fo One, St. Elswhere fame). There are some good one-liners however.
To the reviewer who calls Kelly a quasi-martial artist, I must differ. Kelly is a black belt and did compete for a time in the early 70s. He has also trained in boxing and BJJ if I recollect correctly. One may think he, or his techniques look akward (they do in this film as well as most of his other films), but that doesn't mean he isn't a full fledge martial artist.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Unmittigated Disaster
Comment: Black Belt Jones is one of those films that has a catchy title and that most people who like blaxploitation have heard something about. Its often mentioned as one of the must-see blaxploitation flix and has been much referenced in pop culture. But the truth be told, this movie is just plain awful (even according to blaxploitation standards). Its so bad that after the opening credits, you will want your money back. The movie stars Jim Kelly who is a stiff, awkward, quasi-martial artist known for making wierd fighting sounds (oooooommmhhhh!!!) As always, he is cast as the cool, suave, black dude with a fro. There are some signs of a typical, boring plot here, if you really care to pay attention. However, the only memorable part is the final fight scene in the car wash (it has some decent music). If you are a fan of blaxploitation, I guess you will have to buy this one for your collection, but if you are interested in seeing a halfway decent film, you should definitely pass on this one... as a matter of fact pass on all of Jim Kelly's films.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Hope Diamond of 70's B-Movies
Comment: Black Belt Jones is a lost treasure. It is easily one of the most solid of B-Movies of all time. It is for fans of blaxploitation and kung-fu alike, and does both well. Now by well, I do not mean it that is is full of stirring social commentary, or artistically choreographed fight scenes. No, Black Belt Jones is chock full of cheesy lines, funky beats, absurd plot twists, and rockin beat downs. It does not try to be anything more, and it wholely succeeds at just being a great bad movie. A must own for fans of cult films.
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