The Black Mamba (film)

The Black Mamba is about the making of a fictional movie, with Robert Rodriguez pitching Kobe Bryant a story about a hero called "The Black Mamba". It is shown, as Rodriguez describes it, with Bryant squaring off against a monster-fied Danny Trejo, before meeting Bruce Willis. The film ends with Bryant fighting zombie basketball players led by Kanye West.

• Kobe Bryant as himself / "The Black Mamba"
• Kanye West as himself
• Danny Trejo as himself
• Bruce Willis as Mr. Suave

By 2011, Kobe Bryant, Bruce Willis, Danny Trejo, and Kanye West signed on to star in a 6-minute short film under the title The Black Mamba.{{cite web |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Watch-All-Black-Mamba-Robert-Rodriguez-Short-Film-With-Kobe-Bryant-23267.html |title=Watch All Of The Black Mamba: Robert Rodriguez's Short Film With Kobe Bryant |website=CinemaBlend |first=Josh |last=Tyler |date=February 20, 2011 |access-date=September 18, 2022}}{{cite web|last=Manfred |first=Tony |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/air-yeezy-ii-photos-2012-6|title=Video: Kobe Bryant and Kanye West Star in Nike's 'The Black Mamba'

|website=Business Insider |date=June 1, 2012 |access-date=September 18, 2022}} The film was produced, written, and directed by Robert Rodriguez.{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/513678/kobe-bryant-black-mamba-robert-rodriguez/ |title=Kobe Bryant Is 'The Black Mamba' For Robert Rodriguez |first=Germain |last=Lussier |website=/Film |date=February 2, 2011 |access-date=September 18, 2022}} The film was part of a promotional campaign for the Nike Air Kobe Zoom VIs.{{cite web |url=https://www.bet.com/article/fmfjxh/trailer-kobe-bryant-s-the-black-mamba-mini-movie |title=Trailer: Kobe Bryant's "The Black Mamba" Mini-Movie |website=BET |first=Marcus |last=Reeves |date=March 12, 2011 |access-date=September 18, 2022}}

The Black Mamba was released by Nike online on February 19, 2011. The short film also played in several Los Angeles cinemas, including Mann's Chinese Theatre.{{cite web|url=https://adage.com/creativity/work/black-mamba/22476|url-access=subscription|title=Nike Basketball: The Black Mamba|date=February 21, 2011|website=Ad Age|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610182859/https://adage.com/creativity/work/black-mamba/22476|archive-date=June 10, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=September 18, 2022}}

Kevin Jagernauth, of IndieWire, said the short film was "OK", elaborating "it fits very comfortably into the grindhouse wheelhouse for Rodriguez, so if you've worn out your Machete DVD this is probably worth a quick spin".{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2011/02/watch-the-black-mamba-short-film-for-nike-with-kobe-bryant-directed-by-robert-rodriguez-120185/ |title=Watch: 'The Black Mamba' Short Film For Nike With Kobe Bryant, Directed By Robert Rodriguez |website=IndieWire |first=Kevin |last=Jagernauth |date=February 19, 2011 |access-date=September 18, 2022}}

Chris Yuscavage, of Vibe, gave a mixed review, praising Rodriguez's metahumor, but criticizing Bruce Willis' minor role and Bryant's "manufactured" stage name of "The Black Mamba".{{cite web |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/wins-fails-kobe-bryants-new-mini-movie-black-mamba-59667/ |title=The Wins & FAILs of Kobe Bryant's New Mini-Movie, 'The Black Mamba' |website=Vibe |last=Yuscavage |first=Chris |date=February 21, 2011 |access-date=September 18, 2022}}

Germain Lussier, of /Film, gave the short film a negative review, saying it was "not as fun as I thought it was going to be. I think having Rodriguez as one of the main parts of the film and making the whole thing a pitch/fantasy is the only thing that makes it work. The cameo appearances are funny and the idea of a super-villain collecting shoes is kind of interesting, but overall the action was stale and the basketball itself was boring. Seeing a new film by Rodriguez is cool, and his visual style within the film is hugely apparent, but, for my money, The Black Mamba can't hold a candle to the real highlight of the NBA All-Star Weekend: the Slam Dunk Contest".{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/514083/robert-rodriguezs-nike-short-film-the-black-mamba/ |title=Robert Rodriguez's Nike Short Film 'The Black Mamba' |first=Germain |last=Lussier |website=/Film |date=February 21, 2011 |access-date=September 18, 2022}}

William Goodman, of CBS News, was more positive of the film, calling it "pretty slick".{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ad-attack-kobe-bryant-is-black-mamba-with-robert-rodriguez-bruce-willis-danny-trejo-and-kanye-west/ |title=AD ATTACK: Kobe Bryant is "Black Mamba:" with Robert Rodriguez, Bruce Willis, Danny Trejo and Kanye West |first=William |last=Goodman |website=CBS News |date=February 23, 2011 |access-date=September 18, 2022}}

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Category:2010s American films

Category:2010s English-language films

Category:2011 films

Category:Films directed by Robert Rodriguez

Category:Films produced by Robert Rodriguez

Category:Films with screenplays by Robert Rodriguez