Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 27, 2014
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5

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User Reviews

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  1. kevinluv
    Nov 18, 2014
    9
    This Is a Fantastic documentary with wonderful videos and interviews with the "hardest working man in show business". What makes it such a strong documentary is the filmmaker leaves aside for the most part Mr. Brown's foibles, and just concentrates on one thing, the greatness of James Brown, because when James Brown hits the stage, he puts his entire soul into his performance and hisThis Is a Fantastic documentary with wonderful videos and interviews with the "hardest working man in show business". What makes it such a strong documentary is the filmmaker leaves aside for the most part Mr. Brown's foibles, and just concentrates on one thing, the greatness of James Brown, because when James Brown hits the stage, he puts his entire soul into his performance and his music, that is what made him such a compelling person to watch and why he was so widely appreciated.
    You must give credit and pay homage to the man who didn't fit what had been the norm for black entertainers in regards to color, height, and demeanor as when it came to being shown, packaged and marketed in America, James Brown broke the mold and blazed the trail ways that so many have used since then. Here is a chance to admire the man told in an engaging way!    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Best TV Season of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Chris Cabin
    Oct 28, 2014
    88
    Mr. Dynamite may finally be Gibney's most psychologically and socially perceptive film to date, at once a refreshingly even-handed view of one of the great musical minds of the 20th century and a near-pathological study of the rise of modern conservative thinking, seen through one of it's most unlikely yet dynamic supporters.
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  2. Denver Post
    Reviewed by: Joanne Ostrow
    Oct 27, 2014
    70
    The film glosses over the turbulent aspects of Brown's personal life (domestic-abuse charges and an arrest record are mentioned in passing), and it isn't comprehensive (there's nothing about his four wives, six children, drug addiction or his death in 2006). But the tuneful feature-length film is packed with great vintage clips.
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  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ray Rahman
    Oct 27, 2014
    91
    Like a James Brown show, the result is both generously proportioned and extremely tight.
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