The Kill Reflex

The shooting title for this film was "Soda Cracker," somewhere along the road the title of the film changed and "The Kill Reflex" is what we've got. Fred Williamson's character is nicknamed Soda Cracker (something his friends gave him). He's a "shoot first - ask questions later" Chicago cop, on a mission to track down the killer or killers who offed his partner; all this on his birthday no less. His superiors want him off the case, but that doesn't stop Soda from bustin' heads. The production costs are low, but the thrills high. And don't miss the super-cool conclusion where The Hammer jumps on the side of a train to catch the main baddie as he speeds away in his car - this is really one of The Hammer's coolest moments. Other things to watch for include: the super-sexy Maud Adams, the super-cool Bo Svenson, and the super-funky end credit theme song: "Soda Cracker!"

Fred Williamson should not be allowed behind a camera. While I find his classic blaxploitation films to be some of the finest of its genre, this latter one was simply Godawful. Acting, storyline, title ("Soda Cracker" when aired on cable), you name it. I've never seen as many inconsistent emotions to scenes than this film. The continuity was all over the place. It was unintentionally hilarious at times. The only positives that I can see: eye candy provided by Maud Adams & Phyllis Hyman. Albeit, Fred spent so much time on one scene with singer Hyman that it could have been released as a concert film. LOL! Pass on this, and stick to any of his classic ones from the 70s.

Movie is now showing on Screenpix Voices under the title "Soda Cracker."

The Kill Reflex (1989) is a movie I recently watched on Tubi. The storyline follows a Chicago detective with a new partner because his long time partner was murdered. Together they'll need to hunt down why his partner's death seems to be getting swept under the carpet.

This movie is directed by and stars Fred Williamson (Adios Amigo) and also stars Maud Adams (Octopussy), Bo Svenson (Kill Bill), Julie Gregg (The Godfather) and Frank Pesce (Beverly Hills Cop).

The storyline for this picture is very straight forward and fairly bland. The lines are corny but will give you a few chuckles here and there. The action scenes are fairly mediocre and not as abundant as you'd expect. The conclusion shootout and action sequence is probably the best part of the movie.

Overall this is a bad movie added to the genre without enough redeeming aspects to recommend watching it. I'd score this a 2/10 and recommend skipping it.

My review was written in July 1990 after watching the movie on RCA/Columbia video cassette.

Fred Wiliamson tips the balance from action to drama in the effective direct-to-video feature "The Kill Reflex", originally monikered "Soda Cracker".

Nicknamed Soda Cracker, Williamson is his usual relaxed cop in Chicago out to find his partner's killer. Though there is an action-packed finale involving baddie Bo Svenson (Williamson's regular screen teammate), film concentrates on the human drama of the cop's widow Julie Gregg adjusting as well as policewoman Maud Adams' relationship with the principals.

Vocalist Phyllis Hyman, previously on screen performing in Spike Lee's "School Daze", makes a strong impression as Svenson's girlfriend.