Hammer

This Blaxploitation film may not be considered as one of the best, but it's still a good one and very entertaining.The action and fight scenes are good in a realistic way, the acting is not bad, and the story is easy to follow.

Good action, excitement, nudity, a funky soundtrack and cool dialogs,

the fans of Blaxploitation will enjoy it.

Fred Williamson does a fine job,

he's one bad dude.

Its Hammer time.

7/10

In his first starring role, Fred Williamson plays B. J. Hammer, an aspiring L. A. boxer who works part-time at the docks, which is being used as a heroin-smuggling ring led by kingpin Big Sid (Charles Lampkin) and his henchman Brenner (William Smith). Hammer, however, is oblivious to it as he is busy training for an upcoming championship fight. The only allies he has are Sid's secretary Lois (Vonetta McGee) and his trainer The Professor (Mel Stewart). It is also isn't long until Brenner abuses his power and attempts to overthrow Sid.

Done on the cheap side, the film does warrant some good action, particularly a wild car chase through a railyard and some frantic fights, including one inside a gymnasium.

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.

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

After being fired due to an altercation at the shipyard docks, "B. J. Hammer" (Fred Williamson) accepts employment as a boxer for a manager by the name of "Big Sid" (Charles Lampkin). What he doesn't know is that Big Sid is connected to the mafia and is not only involved in illegal gambling but has recently branched out into drugs as well. Yet, even after being warned about Big Sid, Hammer ignores this bit of unwelcome news and chooses to concentrate on his training while at the same time becoming better acquainted with a woman who works with Big Sid named "Lois" (Vonetta McGee). Unfortunately, the longer he remains in this environment the more certain he becomes that things aren't necessarily as they seem. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a pretty good "blaxploitation film" which helped launch Fred Williamson's transition from football to acting. Of course, having a nice-looking actress like Vonetta McGee certainly didn't hurt either. In any case, those interested in a film of this type might enjoy this particular movie and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.