BY DARLENE DONLOE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

So, dig it.

There’s a new hip cat in town that’s cooler than Shaft, smoother than The Mack, and sharper than Superfly.

His name is “Black Dynamite!”

Out in theaters Oct. 16, “Black Dynamite” is a righteously hilarious blaxploitation spoof starring Michael Jai White in the title role.

Black Dynamite declares war and decides to take matters into his own hands after “the man” denigrates the ghetto with liquor stores, kills his brother and distributes drugs into orphanages.

When he finds out “the man’s” ultimate plan is to put something in the malt liquor to weaken a black man’s, uh, well, power source, Black Dynamite enlists the help of his partners in crime like Tasty Freeze (Arsenio Hall) and a hustler named Cream Corn, portrayed by Tommy Davidson. (The scene demonstrating the effects of drinking the malt liquor is priceless.)

Whether he’s hittin’ the streets or trying to find justice in the hallowed halls of the “Honky House,” Black Dynamite, an ex-CIA commando, has his own way of gettin’ at the truth.

In the ’70s, blaxploitation films were all the rage. They were a black alternative to the mainstream movies delivered by Hollywood that were usually devoid of any positive lead roles for black actors. The stories reflected the gritty, realistic atmosphere of urban life.

It was an era where black folks could finally see themselves on the silver screen with characters that were all too familiar.

The decade saw a run of blaxploitation films like “Cleopatra Jones,” “Coffy,” “Blacula,” “Dolemite” and many others.

Lead actors like Richard Roundtree (“Shaft”), Max Julian (“The Mack”) and Ron O’Neal (“Superfly”) became cult-like heroes playing tougher-than-nails characters with plenty of street attitude, who were larger-than-life and unafraid of standing up to the establishment.

“Black Dynamite” is reminiscent of Keenan Ivory Wayans’ 1988 mock blaxploitation film “I’m Gonna Get You Sucka” and 2002’s “Undercover Brother,” both of which were successful in parodying the genre.

“Black Dynamite” is so wacky and over the top, it doesn’t even come close to taking itself seriously, which is why it’s so much fun. The movie plays strictly for laughs.  The spirit behind the movie is what gives it its edge. It’s a fitting, comical tribute to the genre.

There are ridiculous fight scenes, hilarious shots of obvious stunt doubles, outlandish characters and nonsensical bad guys.

White’s portrayal of the indestructible, immensely-mustachioed Black Dynamite is on the money. His character’s swagger is fierce and his confidence and sculpted body are off the charts. White’s tongue-in-cheek homage is far out.

This movie screams for a sequel. “Black Dynamite in Africa!”

“Black Dynamite” is in theaters Oct. 16. Running time: 90 minutes. It’s Rated R for sexuality/nudity, language, some violence and drug content.

On the Donloe Scale, D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (OK) and E (excellent), “Black Dynamite” gets an O (OK).