Blaxploitation icons Jim Brown, Fred "The Hammer" Williamson, and Jim Kelly team up for this ass kicking feature. They play old buds who discover an insidious plot being bankrolled by white supremacist Monroe Feather (Jay Robinson). The scientist (Richard Angarola) being employed by Feather has devised a chemical that will infiltrate the water supply of three major cities and affect only blacks. Fortunately, The Hammer and the two Jims are formidable opponents and take the fight to any and all henchmen standing in their way.
As directed by Gordon Parks, Jr., "Three the Hard Way" isn't perfect. Admittedly, there's some obvious padding on this thing, and the story might not be meaty enough or altogether satisfying for some viewers. But there are still undeniable pleasures to be had. The action scenes are first rate and sometimes are seen from both great height and distance; the photography is aces as well. The movie does earn its R rating, but at the same time isn't THAT graphic with its violence, so more squeamish viewers may find it agreeable. The eye candy is delectable, with three "specialist" type female characters brought in to interrogate one of many bad guys. As followers of this genre come to expect, the music is most groovy. The pace may not always be consistent, but things do eventually build to a smashing finale where our heroic trio of bad asses stage grand scale destruction. There's a whole lot of shooting and explosions going on.
Obviously, the main reason to watch is to see three charismatic men bring their style to the proceedings. They're well supported by an effectively odious Robinson, a feisty Sheila Frazier as Browns' love interest, and the ever likable Charles McGregor. Alex Rocco is utterly wasted in a non crucial role as complaining detective Lieutenant Di Nisco. Corbin Bernsen (whose father Harry produced the movie) makes his first credited appearance in a motion picture, as the young man helping "House" (Junero Jennings) make an escape. Pamela Serpe, Marie O'Henry, and Irene Tsu are amusing as the sexy torturers. Jeannie Bell of "T.N.T. Jackson" has a small role.
Definitely a must if you're a blaxploitation completist.
Seven out of 10.
As directed by Gordon Parks, Jr., "Three the Hard Way" isn't perfect. Admittedly, there's some obvious padding on this thing, and the story might not be meaty enough or altogether satisfying for some viewers. But there are still undeniable pleasures to be had. The action scenes are first rate and sometimes are seen from both great height and distance; the photography is aces as well. The movie does earn its R rating, but at the same time isn't THAT graphic with its violence, so more squeamish viewers may find it agreeable. The eye candy is delectable, with three "specialist" type female characters brought in to interrogate one of many bad guys. As followers of this genre come to expect, the music is most groovy. The pace may not always be consistent, but things do eventually build to a smashing finale where our heroic trio of bad asses stage grand scale destruction. There's a whole lot of shooting and explosions going on.
Obviously, the main reason to watch is to see three charismatic men bring their style to the proceedings. They're well supported by an effectively odious Robinson, a feisty Sheila Frazier as Browns' love interest, and the ever likable Charles McGregor. Alex Rocco is utterly wasted in a non crucial role as complaining detective Lieutenant Di Nisco. Corbin Bernsen (whose father Harry produced the movie) makes his first credited appearance in a motion picture, as the young man helping "House" (Junero Jennings) make an escape. Pamela Serpe, Marie O'Henry, and Irene Tsu are amusing as the sexy torturers. Jeannie Bell of "T.N.T. Jackson" has a small role.
Definitely a must if you're a blaxploitation completist.
Seven out of 10.