Hammer

Hammer is former NHL star Fred Williamson's first blaxploitation film. Hard to believe that Blaxploitation gave more former black athletes work than Dancing with the Stars!

Williamson plays Hammer a decent guy, a dock worker in LA who gets into boxing but the promoter is crooked and wants him to take a dive or else there would be consequences for his girlfriend. People who cross the local Mr Big be it former boxers or trainers get to feel the full force of his henchman Brenner (William Smith) and he likes to dish out pain.

Unusually for a blaxploitation film the lead detective is played by a black man (Bernie Hamilton of Starsky & Hutch fame) who advises and helps out Hammer. The lack of antagonistic relationship between our hero and the police is refreshing.

Hammer is not a great film, rather formulaic but it is a well made film with good production values. It has its share of violence, nudity and sex. Williamson tones it down here, more of an ordinary Joe swiftly rising to the top.

Smith as the slimy, sleazy, racist villain steals the show. He was one of the best villains in the 1970s, the guy audiences loved to hate.

Weaker entry in the Blaxploitation genre, but still one of the earlier films and has genre staple Fred Williamson. Has the same generic scenes with mobsters, people beating each other up, nudity and the general genre clichés. But story line is simply boring. Boxing scenes add a bit of color and interest. Not worth watching unless you are a student of the Blaxploitation genre.

You like films about boxers, and like them guys? Then 'Hammer' sometimes promoted as 'B.J. Hammer' is for you. It's got boxers. The kind with the gloves what whale the snot out of one another while mob guys who wear them tinted 'psycho shades' all the time hang in the back and get rich, placing bets.

But Hammer, adroitly played by Fred Williamson, transcends to boxing genre to make this film worth watching again and again. Forget Rocky I through XVII. Stick with Hammer. He kicks the snot out of the competition.

You like Detectives? Well, you got plenty detectives and cops walking around this film. They offer advice to Hammer. He takes it. Look, pal, when detectives see fit to convey to you advice based upon their decades of experience, knowledge, and instinct forged in the crucible of streetwork, you graciously accept it and comply. Right? Am I right. You know I'm right. So quit contradicting me, already.

Now, a visual treat. The late Vonetta McGee in an early role. Yeah, you remember her as the mysterious repo secretary and double agent for the sinister Hermanos Rodriguez in 1984's 'repo man'. But here, she plays a great role as loyal mate to the protagonist, and a real beauty at that.

Saw "Hammer" over the weekend on THIS TV, so it likely will be airing again shortly.

Don't miss it, or else the detectives will have some questions to ask you. And you don't answer them right, Hammer might just wail the snot out of you.

So get straight. B.J. Hammer is the man.

Paul Vincent Zecchino Manasota Key, Florida 11 October, 2010

Let's be honest about this one. Only reason I watched this is because it's from the director of the notorious "Galaxy of Terror" (1981, a horror/sci-fi B-movie with LOTS of fun!!!!).

Not being a fan of exploitation, even though I love extreme cinema, I have seen none or few blaxploitation films. Anyway, I think this could be characterized as such. It is a boxing/crime film with violence, nudity, boxing, lots of black people and fight-action. Soundtrack is mostly funky 70's stuff which I normally hate, but fit well in here and builds cozy atmosphere. Anyway, this movie is NO good, but it's got one single good thing in common with "Galaxy of Terror" : fast pace. Maybe after all its a decent film for a cheap genre, I don't know.

recommended to blaxploitation fans and/or completists

Fred Williamson is B.J. Hammer, a cool cat who gets involved in a shady boxing career in one of his lesser blacksploitation movies. Williamson fans will still like it though as it moves at a fairly fast pace. Also stars Marilyn Joi (here billed as Tracey King) in her first film role. I guess if i could sum it up, it would be servicable enough, but instantly forgetable like Chinese food.

My Grade:C-

Where I saw it: Showtime Extreme

Eye Candy: Nawana Davis (Mary/Breasts), Elizabeth Harding (Rhonda/full frontal), Marilyn Joi ("black magic" woman/breasts), Vonetta McGee (Lois/buns)