The Messenger

This was a porno gone drastically wrong. Tacky music a bad plot and some nudity. (not that I mind) the music remind me of bump and grind on old 70's porn and the plot simple wasn't there. Badly acted by nearly everyone in it. It seemed they were just champing at the bit to get the paycheck. The only good part was played by Cameron Mitchell who proved he could act no matter how bad the script. The part of Sabrina could have been good but was too short to be enjoyable and too tritely played as if the actress was aware her screen time was minimal so bad was good and the heck with the rest.

It's not a huge surprise to know that Fred Williamson is in this years latest bit of camp Starsky and Hutch.

A whiskey stream of consciousness review.

As one of the songs of the film serenades: "a lovely fantasy to tranquilize my head." That it does. Nudity is needless and unnecessary 50% of the time. And Ladies, know this. There is a good chance you will be literally "caught dead" with Jake Turner, so probably best you keep your distance. Louie's death scene might need to be added to my shortlist if best-worst deaths in action film history. Fred Williamson acted, directed, and starred in this hidden gem of action schlock. I'm not sure how many times he's done all three roles, but I may need to seek them out. The movie has some totally ridiculous conversations and one-liners that make it worth watching like:

Mrs. Emerson: "How can I ever repay you?" Jake Turner: "Just put Flowers on my Grave"

The funky electronic keyboard score at times is groovy, but there are a few sequences where it is a repetitive alarm clock that won't stop. The songs though are outstanding. Make sure to pay attention to the lyrics: "c'mon baby, c'mon baby, listen to the messenger!" Reminds me of some of S. Craig Zahlers music.

It also has some tedious and pointless scenes and sequences, including a less than stellar end chase. Speaking of chased, I did... with 12 year old 1792. Cheers!

People may think I am high with this rating but I rate on how true a film is to it's intended audience and drama. First the score and effects. Maybe cheesy 80's trash but I say indicative of a movie trying to be hip but true to blaxploitation roots in a coming hiphop age. The action too was formulaic but looking deeper it was some of Williamson's best. A Spaghetti western in blaxploitation package.

O.K. Messagero, 2 is a.k.a. Messenger of Death (UK video title) This film has certainly put Fred Williamson's directing talents into the bin.

Basically, this film is about Jake Sebastian Turner (Former Vietnam Vet turned thief) has just been released from prison. As he comes out, he has a reunion with Sabrina (his girlfriend) on his homecoming. Things don't go as according to plan when drug mobsters threaten Sabrina's life but she gets gunned down whilst coming home from a party. Destined to seek revenge, Jake meets up with a sadistic millionaire Paul Gielgud who pays him $500,000 to get the people responsible for Sabrina's death as well as Gielgud's nephew Luigi.

Jake travels to Chicago as well as Hollywood bumping each mobster one by one not realising the Feds are also on his trail. As he finishes the job, Jake now finds that someone has put a contract out on him. But who..?

This film is worth a watch but I must say, I was a bit appalled with the music score, editing and the action scene which makes the viewer somehow well confused. I was confused about the whole thing. If you want to see it, by all means do so..!

Don't. Worst of everything all in one (movie?). Just don't.