Ensofter Overrated and overhyped

FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

AutCuddly Great movie! If you want to be entertained and have a few good laughs, see this movie. The music is also very good,

Donald Seymour This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Coventry 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?

HaemovoreRex 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.

vchimpanzee This movie looked like it would be pretty good. I read somewhere that Fred Williamson was part of the 'blaxploitation' genre, but the cast looked good. The movie didn't, though it wasn't terrible. I suppose given the subject matter--karate fighting in a boxing-type ring, with the fights fixed and partners stealing from each other, and killing to prevent their scheme from being found out--it was not a particularly violent movie, but it was more violent than I cared for. I did get the impression that Richard Roundtree, Jim Brown and Fred Williamson gave better performances than the white actors. And given the fact that Williamson directed and was a producer, surely black people would be presented with some dignity. I guess they were, but I couldn't avoid thinking I was seeing my first 'blaxploitation' film. Still, I had to enjoy watching Roundtree's character (or was it Williamson's? I couldn't remember which was which) act tough toward those who weren't being honest with him. I guess it wasn't really so bad, but I wouldn't make a habit of watching other movies like it.

coyote-23 84 minutes b/w movie by Fred the Hammer Williamson. It won't win any screen guild awards but no one expects it to. You see it to watch Jim Kelly, Richard Roundtree, Jim Brown, and Fred Williamson kick a$$. That's what they do. The 2 minute car ride on the BQE with no words could have been done away with and the funky dog is used too much. I liked the movie. Bad guys pi** them off, bad guys get killed. That simple.