Woodyanders Review of Slaughter's Big Rip-Off

Slaughter's Big Rip-Off (1973)

A worthy sequel to the excellent original

[8/10 · 10 May 2007]

Big, bad Jim Brown encores as rugged ex-Green Beret Slaughter, who finds himself targeted for termination by a bunch of vicious mobsters who are angry at Slaughter for killing a bunch of Mafiosa off in the first movie. Of course, bagging Slaughter proves to be easier said than done. Director Gordon Douglas, working from a suitably trashy script by Charles Johnson, keeps the pace hurtling along at a brisk clip, expertly creates a rough, seamy tone, and stages the copious thrilling action with considerable rip-roaring brio. Charles F. Wheeler's crisp cinematography gives the picture an attractive glossy look. Soul brother number one James Brown delivers a supremely funky score. The first-rate supporting cast really carries the day: Gloria Hendry as Slaughter's concerned loyal gal pal Marcia, Don Stroud as blithely brutish racist hit-man Kirk, Richard Williams as flamboyant pimp Joe Creole, Brock Peters as hard-nosed detective Reynolds, Scatman Crothers as a kindly old pimp, the foxy Judy ("The Big Doll House") Brown as a sexy informant who has a steamy interracial love scene with Slaughter, Art Metrano as a freaky, greasy coke-snorting hoodlum, Hoke Howell as a charter plane pilot, and AIP biker film regular Adam Roarke as an ineffectual assassin who Kirk strangles in a pool. Longtime Johnny Carson sidekick Ed McMahon has a field day portraying extremely slimy'n'smarmy mob head Duncan, who sports a hideously ugly wardrobe that's pure murder on the eyes. Good, scuzzy vintage 70's blaxploitation fun.