Like other reviewers, I certainly hope there will be more Hammer movies or a series to enjoy. There certainly are more story angles to explore; the father, Cartwell & his solar venture, plus his Silicon Valley history,Kim's sister & her history and of course, her office staff. I thought the story was well-written & well-told. The scenery was a treat and the story line good. Surely, the Honorable Kim Wanker, whose career inspired this movie, has more experiences to explore. And, what a cherry atop the sundae to be treated to Reba's excellent voice in the final scene. Please, Lifetime, give us more Kim Wheeler.
35 Reviews
Fun and quirky despite the ominous undertones
Jackbv12319 January 2023
I see three reviews that say based on previews they thought this was a series but it's a one time movie. Well make that 4. I figured it out when I set the recording and it wasn't a series. I also have to agree this would make a decent series. I think Reba's character is perfect for it. But it would stretch credulity to have Kim solving a new murder every week in this setting, and that was pretty much what the story behind this movie was. It's a murder mystery set with a quirky irreverent country judge.
Not content with solving a murder and a frame up, Judge Kim also has to bring justice to a bunch of young women who are at the short end of a drug rehab system with too few checks and balances.
I enjoyed the quirkiness but not so much the mystery.
Not content with solving a murder and a frame up, Judge Kim also has to bring justice to a bunch of young women who are at the short end of a drug rehab system with too few checks and balances.
I enjoyed the quirkiness but not so much the mystery.
Love this-hope they make a series of it!
fiona-tamburrini10 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Really enjoyed this film, great cast and loads of potential for a full series. Love the relationship between the sisters and the others in the town. I didn't guess the killer at all and I watch so many of these films so the twists were effective. I could see so many storylines every week If they made a series or two-these little towns have so many secrets and lies, Reba's character would have a great time investigating cases that look dodgy, because let's be honest, The police aren't up to much. The only thing I'd change is to bring in more characters on the police side and in the town, there needs to be more potential cases!
More!
danielkingston10 January 2023
When I first saw the trailer I didn't realise it was for a film, it felt like was going to be a series and I was really disappointed to find out it was a one off (even more so now I've watched it)
All I can say is I want more!! Please make this into a series, I need more Kim Wheeler and the rest of the cast. There's so much potential for character development and stories and the character dynamics that felt very natural just anchored everything together.
Something else that really stood out was the natural humour that flower throughout the whole film, compared to the usual forced humour in US exports.
Brilliant film, but now I want more.
All I can say is I want more!! Please make this into a series, I need more Kim Wheeler and the rest of the cast. There's so much potential for character development and stories and the character dynamics that felt very natural just anchored everything together.
Something else that really stood out was the natural humour that flower throughout the whole film, compared to the usual forced humour in US exports.
Brilliant film, but now I want more.
Need to be a series
crownberry2 April 2023
This is the first episode of what should be a series. One that I will watch as a series. Netflix needs to pick this up and run with it. I love how the actors came together in the end and helped each other after such a disjointed beginning.
It was a movie that left you wanting to watch the next episode but not worth watching as a movie itself.
Loved the characters but it left me eating more, whether it be more resolution or more of them in general I can't tell, just more.
Murder mystery is something none of us can get enough of, so please someone make this into a series that I can binge watch when I need a good laugh and a good dose of Reba.
It was a movie that left you wanting to watch the next episode but not worth watching as a movie itself.
Loved the characters but it left me eating more, whether it be more resolution or more of them in general I can't tell, just more.
Murder mystery is something none of us can get enough of, so please someone make this into a series that I can binge watch when I need a good laugh and a good dose of Reba.
Should be a series!
stephenebrowe19 January 2023
Loved this movie. Always been a fan of Reba and she didn't disappoint. The rest of the cast was excellent. The movie really was written like it was a pilot episode for a series. When I first heard about Reba starring in The Hammer I just assumed it was a series and was surprised to find out it was a movie. I really hope that it becomes a series on a network or a series of movies.
It would really be a shame to be a one of movie because the characters were great and there is a built in fan base having Reba as the lead.
It was also fun to see Reba acting with Melissa Peterman again and the inclusion of her real life boyfriend , Rex Linn.
It would really be a shame to be a one of movie because the characters were great and there is a built in fan base having Reba as the lead.
It was also fun to see Reba acting with Melissa Peterman again and the inclusion of her real life boyfriend , Rex Linn.
The Hammwr
facondra8 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
It was great. My husband and I loved it. It needs a series. We need a series. Reba is not only a great singer but an excellent actor. Peterson also did well In the movie. All around great movie. I like the 3 together as actors. I can't remember the older guys name but he's also the actor in young Sheldon. He also plays in Big sky with her. I liked the way they came up with why they called her the hammer. That was clever. Killing the cat was kinda sad considering it was her dads companion but I know it made the show and you didn't want them to kill the dad or sister. I really do wish you can come up with a series.
Judge Judy on speed
telmealing-472718 January 2023
My first review on here, i dont normally post comments but i thought the 8 rating was a little too high for this movie and as there are no other reviews wondered where that score came from???
I found it not too bad, it had some funny bits but nothing special to report, a little like a lifetime movie , i expected a bit more action than there was here But it keeps you entertained and the concept is a little different than seen before , worth a watch if you have nothing else better to do for the evening.
Not much else to say about it really , the acting was ok and the characters a bit different.
I found it not too bad, it had some funny bits but nothing special to report, a little like a lifetime movie , i expected a bit more action than there was here But it keeps you entertained and the concept is a little different than seen before , worth a watch if you have nothing else better to do for the evening.
Not much else to say about it really , the acting was ok and the characters a bit different.
This needs to be a series!
shelliej-439038 April 2023
Bravo! This is amazing and it definitely would make a great series. Something to think about lifetime. This shows how life can be challenging but there are actual individuals in this world that want to make it a great place. All the characters were perfect, It brings a good balance between suspense and comedy together making it the perfect mixer of entertainment. In all honesty, I couldn't get enough of it, wanting to binge watch more than one episode. I was rather disappointed to learn that it was not a series! I believe Reba did an excellent job in this movie along with the other characters.
Have the producers ever been to Tonopah?
tbradleyjr13 July 2023
If they had, they would have learned next to nobody there speaks with a Southern accent. (I live in Las Vegas so Tonopah ain't exactly on the far side of the moon.) I adore Reba McEntire, but the folksy witticisms her character spouted got older'n Grandad's dentures sittin' in the summer sun. A previous reviewer characterized this film as a Lifetime reject, and IMHO they were spot-on. Discard the overblown, 9- and 10-star reviews here created by bots and concentrate instead on the more middle-of-the-road and lower-starred reviews for an accurate assessment of this film. Or, go ahead and watch it, but you've been warned.
Great movie
yfqcvbbd11 January 2023
I loved this movie and thought it was the premiere of a series. I am disappointed. I hope the powers that be see the potential to make it a series. I will certainly tune in. I didn't know Reba had such great comedic timing. She is funny!!!! Her character had a tough exterior but a soft heart that gave the movie much substance. You can tell throughout the film there is a trauma she has been through, making her a fantastic judge. I wish our justice system were like this. Great clean entertainment in a time when it is hard to find movies like the good ole days! I will watch it again since I taped it!
Should be a series!
tlc-359595 February 2023
I loved this! I thought it was going to be a seres but just realized it's only a movie. I'm sad. I don't like Lifetime that much but this would make me watch the network. I loved Reba and I thought this would be the same. It has Reba's humor Aston a drama. I love who they had for the cast. I was worried at the beginning due to the acting from the policeman that pulled her over for speeding. His acting was terrible. The type that normally comes from lifetime movies. But the rest of the story picked up pretty quickly. I love that it has. Rex Linn and. Melissa Petterman in it. This has so much potential to be a series.
Great movie, I hope there are more
zbsharp24 January 2023
This was a fabulous movie. I loved the down home country expressions and story lines. Watching the movie made me look up more information and I found that the movie is based on a real traveling judge who covers this territory. Between the judge's new appointment as a judge, as well as Judge Wheeler's history with that territory, this movie was quite interesting.
I don't want to say too much about the story lines because I don't want to give anything away, but, when the movie was over, it made me wish this was a series rather than a movie. I hope they make more! (If they do make more movies, please do Reba's hair differently.)
I don't want to say too much about the story lines because I don't want to give anything away, but, when the movie was over, it made me wish this was a series rather than a movie. I hope they make more! (If they do make more movies, please do Reba's hair differently.)
Disappointing
vpd8820 July 2023
Usually enjoy Reba films. This was so unrealistic in plot lines you would need a lot of Old Fashion drinks (Hammers fave) to believe it is plausible. The idiot deputy; a judge investigating her sisters arrest; the judge going to her fathers home to check his safety and no police response just her and her gun; the cute bailiff dating the idiot deputy; supposedly judge was from the town but no one knows her; etc etc.
Very disappointing performances by some of the cast just made this seem to be a rushed production with little thought to believability, quality and realism. Not a great way to spend 90 mins.
Very disappointing performances by some of the cast just made this seem to be a rushed production with little thought to believability, quality and realism. Not a great way to spend 90 mins.
Should be a series or at least a series of movies
paulekearney222 January 2023
This is a great chance to have a series & develop a group of characters that need the depth teased to us explored. No too campy, not too unbelievable & something lighthearted that anyone can enjoy. Reba fans will especially like it.
For some odd reason, this has to be a minimum number of characters & I cant imagine why, when things can be said directly, without extemporaneous & unnecessary words that add nothing to the writer's intention, message or intentions. Perhaps the person who thought of this absurd rule is a long winded person who thinks that saying something with 20 words, when it can be said with 4 is intelligence. It's not, it's the exact opposite.
For some odd reason, this has to be a minimum number of characters & I cant imagine why, when things can be said directly, without extemporaneous & unnecessary words that add nothing to the writer's intention, message or intentions. Perhaps the person who thought of this absurd rule is a long winded person who thinks that saying something with 20 words, when it can be said with 4 is intelligence. It's not, it's the exact opposite.
Not what I was expecting
consexton10 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I was excited to see Reba and Melissa working together again as I love them both. However this movie, within the first few minutes, had so much bad acting with all the characters. It seemed real low budget. We made it through the entire movie and looked past the acting. I think the movie tried too hard to make it have action, thriller, crime, drama, and romance all in one. Not to mention the mistakes in the film. Most noticeable was the last few minutes where Reba was drugged. As soon as the police come and takes the bad guy away, she magically is no longer drugged and wants to go get a drink at the bar...lol. I guess I needed to add comedy into the dialogue. I'll still continue to watch Reba shows and movies because Reba is great. However this is one I could have lived without seeing.
Needs to be a weekly SERIES!!!
tinatalksavon21 January 2023
GREAT movie!!! The whole time we were watching this movie, my hubby kept thinking it was a weekly series - even though I kept telling him NO. We're both disappointed because it really DOES need to be a weekly series - and still could be.
We loved the storyline, and all of the actors played their parts VERY well. Of course, Reba is great in everything she plays in. She covers all bases - always adding some comedy too.
Did not see that coming. Never expected that person to be the killer. Full of life lessons, words of wisdom, comedy and plenty of suspense.
It was nice to see Reba acting with her real life boyfriend. They make a good couple. You can never go wrong with REBA as the lead!!!!
We loved the storyline, and all of the actors played their parts VERY well. Of course, Reba is great in everything she plays in. She covers all bases - always adding some comedy too.
Did not see that coming. Never expected that person to be the killer. Full of life lessons, words of wisdom, comedy and plenty of suspense.
It was nice to see Reba acting with her real life boyfriend. They make a good couple. You can never go wrong with REBA as the lead!!!!
I would like the Hammer to be a series of movies or a series!
mjscopellite20 April 2023
So is Reba holding out on making this a series of movies or just a series, or is it Lifetime? I keep looking for the next one to show up, yet nothing so far!
The Hammer started out at a good speed but the ending of the movie was way too rushed as if they ran out of time and wanted to pack in the solution to the crime and the ending all in 15 minutes. Which was Not a good idea.
The ending did leave open the possibility for many future plots and directions that the Hammer could take, and which would capture a viewer audience. Me and my friends and family would watch a The Hammer series or future movies, as would everyone else. So get on with it Lifetime, or Reba! We want more!
The Hammer started out at a good speed but the ending of the movie was way too rushed as if they ran out of time and wanted to pack in the solution to the crime and the ending all in 15 minutes. Which was Not a good idea.
The ending did leave open the possibility for many future plots and directions that the Hammer could take, and which would capture a viewer audience. Me and my friends and family would watch a The Hammer series or future movies, as would everyone else. So get on with it Lifetime, or Reba! We want more!
I love Reba!!
benniehend-207413 February 2023
I kept wanting to comb her hair! It was awful! Other than that, I really enjoyed the movie. I actually thought it was the first episode of her new series. I hope there is more. Please tell the powers that be, and Reba, that we would love to see her on TV every week again. This has got be going back to look at her first series. I just laugh and laugh. I love that she and Melissa Peterman were onscreen together again. This character limit is ridiculous! I am trying to find things to say. Love that she and her real life boyfriend get to work together. Hope that does not put a strain on their relationship.
Probably for Reba McEntire fans
toreborgen22 January 2023
Watched this movie after seing the trailer. Looked ok so I decided to give it a shot. I have no idea who Reba McEntire is and i don't like country music. Actors are ok, story is thin and not especially good i my view. I generally like feelgod movies that make me laugh. Sure, it has it's moments, and i'm sure Reba McEntire fans will like it. But for those who don't know who she is i really don't see the point in watching this movie. I fear this is yet another movie that is best on trailer, and the movie not so much. Sure, after googling Reba McEntire i guess she is a legend and all that. Good for her. But this movie is at best boring.
A series
dacoleman-9145611 July 2023
This is definitely good material and people for this to be a series. I love it I would watch it. The movie wasn't quite enough, it leaves you wondering what the Hammer hits next. This is great writing but it leaves you wanting more who is doing what next and how many more obstacles being a female judge is a southern small town has to overcome and the assistant how she gets on and the support and opposition of the town people. Seeing someone who does the right thing for the right reasons and stands strong against male bullying. The strong male support role adds some interesting twists to the story line. Definitely a good show.
Yikes.
CrustyReviews1 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This was painfully cheesy, cliche and unrealistic. If hallmark dabbled in murder mysteries, I think this is about what they would produce.
I mean, really? You want me to believe she as a judge was allowed to smack someone in the court room with the gavel, tamper with evidence and play case detective? You don't need a background in law to know that nothing about this movie was realistic.
The phony southern accents were hard to get through and the acting was pretty bad. Also, the blatant sexism against Reba as a female judge felt outdated for modern day, even for the south.
Every "mysterious" incident in the film was what we've all seen thousands of times: a phone call from a spooky heavy breather, anonymous threats written out on paper, a dead pet, that sort of thing. At no point did the film successfully evoke a sense of wonder and thrill in me. Plus, the situation with Reba's character and her past with her dad and sister is sort of left undisclosed. They teased it, then left it undeveloped.
Also, why was Reba such a vagabond? Living in a tent on her truck?? Going to sleep with a FULL face of makeup and hairspray? Yeah right.
And don't even get me started on the ending. They wrapped it up way too quickly and spelled out absolutely everything for the audience as Reba's character connected all the dots out loud. And then you want us to believe that by simply stepping on the gas and charging into a stack of hay Reba escaped her death? As if that collision would have knocked out the gunman sitting passenger while Reba sat there on the drivers side unharmed?? It was embarrassing to watch actually. Did some teenagers write the ending?
Then just like that, all was well in the town. Party on, padnaw!
I mean, really? You want me to believe she as a judge was allowed to smack someone in the court room with the gavel, tamper with evidence and play case detective? You don't need a background in law to know that nothing about this movie was realistic.
The phony southern accents were hard to get through and the acting was pretty bad. Also, the blatant sexism against Reba as a female judge felt outdated for modern day, even for the south.
Every "mysterious" incident in the film was what we've all seen thousands of times: a phone call from a spooky heavy breather, anonymous threats written out on paper, a dead pet, that sort of thing. At no point did the film successfully evoke a sense of wonder and thrill in me. Plus, the situation with Reba's character and her past with her dad and sister is sort of left undisclosed. They teased it, then left it undeveloped.
Also, why was Reba such a vagabond? Living in a tent on her truck?? Going to sleep with a FULL face of makeup and hairspray? Yeah right.
And don't even get me started on the ending. They wrapped it up way too quickly and spelled out absolutely everything for the audience as Reba's character connected all the dots out loud. And then you want us to believe that by simply stepping on the gas and charging into a stack of hay Reba escaped her death? As if that collision would have knocked out the gunman sitting passenger while Reba sat there on the drivers side unharmed?? It was embarrassing to watch actually. Did some teenagers write the ending?
Then just like that, all was well in the town. Party on, padnaw!
PLEASE MAKE A SERIES I LOVED IT
quisholmes25 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I loved it. It needs a series. We need a series. Reba is not only a great singer but an excellent actor. Peterson also did well In the movie. All around great movie. I like the 3 together as actors. I can't remember the older guys name but he's also the actor in young Sheldon. He also plays in Big sky with her. I liked the way they came up with why they called her the hammer. That was clever. Killing the cat was kinda sad considering it was her dad's companion but I know it made the show and you didn't want them to kill the dad or sister. I really do wish you can come up with a series. IT WAS AWESOME.
Surprisingly good to watch
mypobox-3260215 July 2023
It was so refreshing to come across this jewel in a pile of garbage from Marvel and the likes. This is the first movie I was watching with Reba as leading actress and she was acting so well, I' going to look for more movies with her. The plot was not exceptional but decent, kept me interested and guessing who the bad guy is and what happens next till the very end. Not sure if it was sufficient for full feature movie though and I agree it would be a good pilot for a series. I got so much into the movie that it was sad to see it ending and I was left wanting more. Pictures are exceptionally good, especially scenery with mountains and desert.
Reba Can Carry This as a Series
lucindausa17 July 2023
With the best writers, this would be a great series for Reba whose western style fits it beautifully. Reba has an acting following and she carried the lead role in her successful series REBA with perfection. In The Hammer, it was obvious several hometown actors were used and you'll recognize actors from other work but you're not familiar with their names. I think other viewers will stand behind me when I say I'm ready for healthy enjoyable tv opposed to watching actors running for their lives due to monsters, the apocalypse, zombies, sci-fi, high tech, CGI green screen where you talk to a hanging tennis ball.
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