Former football player Fred Williamson does well in his earliest starring vehicle, playing B.J. Hammer, fired from his job as a dock worker but soon finding success as a pugilist. He shrugs off suggestions that the local mob is playing a large part in his success, although the writing is on the wall. His sleazy manager, Big Sid (Charles Lampkin), IS a crime figure who also dabbles in drugs. Eventually, the mob will order him to take a fall in a fight, and abduct his girlfriend Lois (Vonetta McGee) to ensure his participation.All in all, "Hammer" shows its audience a pretty good time. The director is Bruce D. Clark ("The Ski Bum", "Galaxy of Terror"), who utilizes some good camera angles and some quick cutting. The action scenes are fine, and there are effective doses of sex and violence to please an exploitation loving crowd. The story by Charles Eric Johnson is straightforward, and uses weary detective Davis (Bernie Hamilton ('Starsky and Hutch')), and the love interest Lois, to function as moral centres for our hero.The violence may be somewhat hard to take for some viewers, but it's hard to be that upset when that typically bright red movie blood just looks so fake. An undeniable highlight is in seeing foxy exploitation starlet Marilyn Joi (in her film debut) do an incredibly erotic dance.Fred brings all his athleticism and charisma to the starring role, and receives strong support from Hamilton, Lampkin, McGee, the eternally bad ass William Smith as an incredibly rotten thug, Mel Stewart as a trainer, D'Urville Martin as a pool hall regular, Stack Pierce as a guy named "Roughhouse", and John Quade as a goon. Leon Isaac Kennedy (the "Penitentiary" series) also makes his film debut as a kid named Bobby.Set to a pulsing soul score by Solomon Burke, "Hammer" is decent (if predictable) fun that does leave you with a smile on your face.Seven out of 10.

Rugged dock worker turned champion boxer B.J. Hammer (the almighty Fred Williamson in prime macho form) excels in the ring and rises to the top. However, things go sour when the local syndicate tells Hammer to take a dive in his next major fight. Director Bruce D. Clark, working from a compact script by Charles Johnson, maintains a constant brisk pace and makes neat use of the gritty urban locations while delivering plenty of rousing rough'n'ready fisticuffs and a generous sprinkling of tasty female nudity. Of course, Fred's smooth charisma and easygoing personality holds the picture together. The sturdy cast of familiar B-pic faces helps a lot: the lovely Vonetta McGhee as B.J.'s smart and loyal girlfriend Lois, the ever-reliable William Smith as vicious enforcer Brenner, Bernie Hamilton as helpful detective Davis, Charles Lampkin as slick top hood Big Sid, Elizabeth Harding as Sid's cheap floozy main squeeze Rhoda, Mel Stewart as tough venerable trainer Professor, D'Urville Martin as hip pool player Sonny, Stack Pierce as warehouse foreman Roughhouse, and John Quade as belligerent jerk Riley. The gorgeous Marilyn Joi burns up the screen in her film debut as a foxy exotic dancer. Robert Steadman's sharp cinematography makes cool and exciting occasional use of a hand-held camera. Soulman Solomon Burke's funky score hits the get-down groovy spot. Recommended viewing for fans of the Hammer.

Fred Williamson was unusual for a "blaxploitation" star because in real life, he was just as tough and good looking as the people he played--having been an NFL star and multiple black belt! And, having been a Playgirl centerfold, he was studly enough to play the part as well.Here, tough but decent guy Williamson plays the title character. Hammer is discovered by a boxing promoter and offers to train him. However, Hammer is naive enough not to realize that the promoter (Charles Lumpkin) and his sidekick (William Smith) are evil--and you NEVER disappoint or cross them...or else! When the mysterious "Mr. Big" (who Lumpkin works for) demands that Williamson takes a dive, Williamson's trainer refuses--and nearly is beaten to death. So, now it's "Hammer Time"! This film is a bit different from some, in that the cops are NOT the bad guys and the detective on the case is a Black man. Also, there's very little not to like or respect about Hammer--he's a stand-up guy. However, like the average blaxploitation film, "the Man" is White and controls many of the Black men in the film--a theme that resonated with Black audiences of the day. Plus, like other similar films, there is a sprinkling of sex to spice things up--though a little less than usual.Technically speaking, this is a pretty well made film. The acting is pretty good, the story is predictable and familiar (there have been many boxing films like it) but it's still very engaging and the film is entertaining throughout and better than the average blaxploitation film. In fact, I'm not even sure I'd consider it exactly this genre--as it's a decent film regardless and a little less violent and packs a positive message. Pretty good stuff.

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