Judging by the other user-comments around here, apparently I'm not the only one who's disappointed by this seemingly awesome early '80s reunion of '70s Blaxploitation heroes. Your day can't get any better than when you stumble upon a DVD with on its trashy cover image the names and cool faces of Fred Williamson ("Black Ceasar"), Jim Brown ("Slaughter"), Richard Roundtree ("Shaft") and Jim Kelly ("Black Belt Jones"). When you then notice that Fred Williamson is also the director, and that the plot revolves on four black buddies declaring war against the entire New York gambling mafia, you immediately purchase the DVD and you're convinced that you have a genuinely golden piece of Blaxploitation action cinema in your hands! Unfortunately, however, "One Down, Two to Go" doesn't even come close to the quality level of other Blaxploitation classics (the aforementioned titles, for example) and the whole film is actually even less than mediocre. The script is weak and far too talkative, especially during the first half, and the fighting/action sequences are poorly shot and clumsy. Furthermore it seems like the main roles aren't fairly divided. Director Williamson once again rewarded himself with the role of the cool and womanizing macho, while Jim Brown acts very passively and both Richard Roundtree and Jim Kelly don't have that much to do. At one point Roundtree's character even explicitly says to his pals Cal and J: "you guys are having all the fun, save some for me!" As said, this is purely a film to own in your collection because of the 4 terrific lead stars, although personally I would have preferred seeing a couple of extra ones as well, like Isaac Hayes or Billy Dee Williams. Or why didn't they think of hiring a Blaxploitation heroine as well, like the fantastic Pam Grier or Tamara Dobson?

Boasting the awesome cast of Fred Williamson, Jim Brown, Jim Kelly and Richard Roundtree, one would expect a major kick ass flick here....Unfortunately, whilst on paper this should indeed have been the case, in reality the finished product is only average at best especially since aside from the unengaging plot, the film manages unforgivably to all but waste the talents of the latter two stars.Kelly especially comes out of this the worst with his character hardly getting to show off any of his famous moves, instead finding himself bedridden for most of his screen time after getting shot early on! Roundtree to doesn't fare much better after he takes a beating at the hands of some thugs and subsequently disappears until much later in the film.On the other hand, if Kelly and Roundtree are effectively relegated to supporting roles, at least we do get to see Jim 'Slaughter' Brown and Fred 'The Hammer' Williamson getting to strut their stuff.....and how super coolly they do it to!Action wise this is hardly groundbreaking stuff with a few fist fights, a bit of shooting and a number of explosions seemingly only included to fill up the accepted quota. There are however a number of humorous scenes throughout to compensate, which should certainly raise a smile. Take for instance the old and seemingly incompetent sheriff in this for instance. Despite the fact that Brown and Williamson (bearing in mind that they are only civilians) beat up, shoot up and even blow up numerous crooks in this, the said law officer merely gives them a slight scolding before handing them back their weapons every time!!!Overall, certainly not a bad film by any means but at the same time certainly not a particularly noteworthy one either and one which sadly wasted such a great opportunity in it's misuse of such a great cast.

One Down, Two to Go may rank a few notches beneath other celluloid team-ups with these stars, but it definitlely has it's share of fun moments. Jim Kelly's character is wounded for most of the movie, but it's always a pleasure to watch big bad Jim "SLAUGHTER" Brown team-up with Fred "The HAMMER" Williamson! Especially when Richard "SHAFT" Roundtree is in the mix! One Down is no Three the Hard Way, but there's just nothing like the spectacle of the Hammer uttering the immortal line "Back off Mojo! You may know Kung Fu but I know Gun Fu!"! LOL! One Down, Two to Go is a cheesy blast of fun that goes best with favorite beverages, good popcorn, and a room full of rowdy B-movie lovers.

Contrary to another comment on this film. "If you like the stars in this film then you will like this film." I, like many others, always keep a look out for any Jim Kelly fliks knowing that you're in for some irrepressible charisma and perhaps even a irrepressible 'Fro. But any bias I have to the stars in this film just couldn't persuade me to actually say that I enjoyed the film.Scenes dragging themselves to their graves, suspense voided build-ups to anti climatic events and of course some cardboard acting are all expected and forgivable in this genre of film. But with the cast at hand you hope you're gonna have some on screen personalities reaching out of the screen and giving you a good smack in the face. If there is a cast to do it then surely this is it. Unfortunately the lot of em die on their asses in their attempts with this movie. Shame.