Trouble Man (1972)

Perfect Blaxploitation. A Introduction to the Genre for Newbies

I have been dying to see this film for years and finally decided to buy it here on Amazon.com for its reasonably cheap price ($9.99) and also because it is a part of Amazon's promotional 4 for 3 discount. I am happy I bought it.

Sure, like many out there, my interest in this movie was based on the fact that Marvin Gaye scored it. In this regard, you will not be too pleased by the way the film handles it. I suggest by the album Trouble Man, as it is quite cheap and very good. Like much of Gaye's music, it is much better if you listen to the music in its entirety.

As for the movie, I have to admit, like Shaft, there is a "it's so bad it's good" quality to this film. I thought that the storyline was extremely simple and I did not feel close to any of the characters, simply because everything we learned about them was only surface deep. But so is the nature of many Blaxploitation films, therefore in this case I will have to agree with another reviewer and say that this film is very good for its genre. While woman are basically nonexistent, you'll enjoy the shoot-outs, blood and scenes (which lover's of 70's colors and style will love). Robert Hook's character is also just great. He is so cool (in 70's terminology), casually aware of everything going on. His overall persona is big enough to match the best of stars from the Blaxploitation era. He walks around and talks as though he owns the world...and in this film, he does.

[...] April 3, 2008

ROBERT HOOKS

Known mainly for the soundtrack done by the great Marvin Gaye, 'Trouble Man' is a really good movie. After watching Robert Hooks in this movie it is a shame nobody gave him more roles to fit his talent. The man is every bit as smooth as Richard Roundtree's 'Shaft' but wait, Richard Roundtree didn't get too many starring roles either. Somebody slept on some exceptional talent in the '70's January 17, 2008

P.I. Takes Charge

Bad dude (Hooks) on the trail of the usual thugs and a childhood friend gone bad(Winfield). Lots of action especially in the pool hall, when Chalky washes Mr Big away in the shoot-out. August 27, 2007

An enjoyable turkey

It's been interesting reading comments treating this as a serious film when really it's one of those films that moves into the 'so bad it's good' genre. I remember 25 years ago laughing myself sick watching it on late-night television. I subsequently found it and some of the outrageous dialogue highlighted in one of those '50 worst movies of all time" type books. "Chicken George is looking for you" - "You tell Chicken George to kiss my sweet black a--." Crazy hair, crazy clothes, crazy performances, it's still good fun and a nice bit of early 70s kitsch. And having John Walton senior as one of the gangsters is one of those classic mis-castings. April 18, 2007

Trouble Man

Brought back memories from back in the day. Excellent quality! I had not seen this movie since I was kid sneaking into the movie house in Baldwin Hills. I refer this movie to all who wants a ride down memory lane. April 12, 2007

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