Hammer

Director - Bruce D. Clark (Galaxy of Terror)
Starring - Fred Williamson (From Dusk Till Dawn), Bernie Hamilton (Scream Blacula Scream), and Vonetta McGee (Blacula)
Release Date - 1972
Genre - Drama/Crime
Tagline - "Hammer is a black explosion"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     This is it.  The moment that I have been dreading all this month.  This is the last blaxploitation of July and its bitter sweet.  This month I was lucky enough to watch Dolemite, The Human Tornado, Foxy Brown, Friday Foster, Petey Wheatstraw, and now I'm moving on to the Fred Williamson classic Hammer.  Williamson is a name that is common in my household due to his popularity in the 70 and 80s action films that I frequently watch, as well as, his involvement with the cult classic From Dusk Till Dawn.  Sadly, I had never seen the film that launched his career and gave him the nickname that he carries to this day.  Lucky for me, I have the film on blu courtesy of Olive Films.  Thanks guys for sending that one my way.
     The film follows a dock worker named Hammer (Williamson) who is fired for fighting when a mobster's goon roughs up another worker. He is taken by a friend to meet a boxing manager where they bring him on and he makes a name for himself as an amateur boxer until a crime box turns his manager over to work for him.  A local police detective tries warn him that he is getting mixed up in the wrong crowd but the fame and notoriety has got to his head and he refuses to listen.  Soon the detectives warnings come to life when the crime boss tries to force Hammer to take a dive during his next fight but he refuses.  He kidnaps his girlfriend to ensure he does as he is told but Hammer has something else planned.
     Rudy Ray Moore is known as the face of blaxploitation and Pam Grier is the queen but Fred Williamson ran the show.  Of all the stars to make themselves a name in blaxploitation, Williamson was one of the few who was able to stay in the limelight the longest.  His career is very impressive and the fact that it all started with Hammer only proves how great and historical this film really is.  The acting in this one is one the best I have seen in a blaxploitation flick.  It is far from my first Williamson flick this is easily the best performance I have seen from him yet.  He was outstanding and delivers one hell of a performance.  His supporting cast was just as great which made the film flow even better.  The story for this one is one we have seen several time before and continue to see to this day.  Hell, it's the same story as my favorite episode of Quantum Leap.  It's not that original especially for the 1970s but it works very well for a blaxploitation film and fits well with the cliches of the sub-genre.  Finally, those of you looking for action will find it here.  The film is full of crime action, gun fights, and even some boxing scenes.  The action may not be the best but it still helps with the film and makes it fun.  Overall, Hammer is a classic that should be required viewing for any movie fan.  I feel like an idiot for waiting so long to finally check it out.  Well worth every minute I spent watching it so do yourself a favor and check it out!