Fred "The Hammer" Williamson, one of the major stars of the Blaxploitation genre, made many a film in many different genres. From Blaxploitation to Spaghetti Western to Futuristic Italian Gladiator, The Hammer has done it all. When I read about Bucktown, and how it featured The Hammer AND Pam Grier, I knew I had to see it.The Hammer plays Duke Johnson who shows up in Bucktown, a small southern town, to bury his brother. Bucktown is run by a Police force consisting of a bunch of corrupt, racist cops who make local businesses pay them protection money. Duke doesn't like the corruption and makes a stand by bringing in some friends from back home. His friends, led by Roy (Thalmus Rasulala) come to Duke's aid but it turns out that they have some other plans for the town, to help benefit their own needs.
Bucktown is a fun, kind of silly film. The Hammer brings it but unfortunately Pam Grier (who plays his deceased brother's girlfriend who eventually falls for Duke himself) is nothing more than wallpaper in the film (though very sexy wallpaper). Duke's friends (including a young, afro'd Carl Weathers) who come to save the day but also stir up some trouble of their own are convincing as a nasty bunch of mofos. The corrupt cops also do a good job at being bad. The story is fun and entertaining and there are some really good shoot outs and action scenes. The main problem is just the over the top silliness of the film.
RATING: 6/10
That one has such a great cast, but was rather disappointing. Of course, I am very Pam Grier-centric in my Blaxploitation, so the lack of her kicking whitey's teeth in was a major detractor. :-D
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