One Down, Two to Go (1982)

User Rating:

3.9/10   

Director:

Fred Williamson

Writer:

Fred Williamson (story)

Release Date:

19 November 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama

Tagline:

Forget the A-team. This is the kick-ass team!

Plot:

A pair of tough cops go after the mob who jinxed the martial arts tournament and injured their buddy.

Plot Keywords:

Tournament | Karate Tournament | Martial Arts | Psychotronic | Kung Fu

US TV Schedule:

Sun. Aug. 2

1:30 AM

ABC

Cast

Fred Williamson	...	Cal
Jim Brown	...	J
Jim Kelly	...	Chuck
Richard Roundtree	...	Ralph
Paula Sills	...	Teri
Laura Loftus	...	SalIy
Joe Spinell	...	Joe Spangler
Tom Signorelli	...	Mario
John Guitz	...	Bob (as John Gruitz)
Richard Noyce	...	Hank
Peter Dane	...	Rossi
Victoria Hale	...	Mrs. Rossi
Warrington Winters	...	Sheriff Lucas
Louis Neglia	...	Armando
Aaron Banks	...	Announcer

Runtime:

84 min | USA:89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:16 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Norway:15 | UK:15 (original rating) | UK:18 (re-rating) | USA:R | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Meadowlands Arena, Meadowlands Sports Complex - 50 State Highway 120, East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Camelot Films

Trivia:

Fred Williamson conceived the idea of the film while he was in New York filming the movie, Vigilante (1983).

Quotes:

J: I don't like violence either, Mr. White Boy.

It's so coooooooool to be black,brother...

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs

Ralph (Richard Roundtree) and Chuck (Jim Kelly) are two kung fu champions who have set up a tournament to see who is the best.However,they've encountered a problem in the shape of the mob,who are putting pressure on them to rig their tournament.When they instinctively offer resistance,they find themselves the subject of an attack and find themselves relying on pals Cal (Fred Williamson) and J (Jim Brown) to stand up to them and offer retribution.

Throughout the 70s and into the early 80s,the 'blaxploitation' movie was a big thing and enjoyed a huge following as it did it's thing and played a huge part in bringing black culture into mainstream cinema.Two of it's most iconic figures,Jim Kelly,the unforgettable Williams in Enter the Dragon and Shaft himself Richard Roundtree,who added much to the action element of this movement with their baaaad-asssss attitude and hard personas,enjoy prominent billing in this one,but each have only supporting roles and very limited screen-time.

As it is,this movie is carried by two other black players,Jim Brown and Fred Williamson,fairly charismatic guys with a fairly effective rapport and presence between them.

The main problem with the film is the story.It is simplistic as hell and churns on at a robotic pace as the movie rolls on and on.Aside from being one of the lead stars,Williamson also administers directorial duties here and sort of allows his own pet project to meander along at his own comfortable,slumberous pace.The film is simply okay but so nothing special from any other of it's ilk.

Overall,this is,for the most part,a robotic and plodding entry into it's genre.However,if you want to watch a fair bit of 'black attitude' and style,a cool,funky soundtrack,not to mention some okay martial arts here-and-there,this might just fill a hole in your stomach.***