The Hebrew Hammer (2002) Reviews
- Starring:
- Adam Goldberg, Judy Greer, (more)
- Director(s):
- Jonathan Kesselman
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
Member Rating
My RatingAverage Ratings
Member Reviews
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful Let me be absolutely clear, this movie is HYS-TER-IC-AL! Director Jonathan Kesselman has done his homework with this project. By homework I mean watching cult classics like Hot Shots! and ... Read More Let me be absolutely clear, this movie is HYS-TER-IC-AL! Director Jonathan Kesselman has done his homework with this project. By homework I mean watching cult classics like Hot Shots! and Airplane! while using a similar structure to develop his own unique blend of humor and satire. While watching this you will be surprised at how little you see coming. That is due to the fresh feel of this film. We have not seen many films like it lately, it on all levels it worked. It left me wanting more, oh so much more. Overall, I was extremely impressed with this film. The quality of the story, the witty and knowledgeable humor made me laugh as well as use my mind (which is a plus), and the honesty behind the characters was something other films should use more often. There was just a sense of fun with this picture, and it blasted through my television with the greatest of ease. How impressive this film was! Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful When watching this movie, you have to expect to be offended. I think the people who left negative reviews didn't realize what they were getting into. The movie is all about stereotypes. It's a farce. ... Read More When watching this movie, you have to expect to be offended. I think the people who left negative reviews didn't realize what they were getting into. The movie is all about stereotypes. It's a farce. You can't take it seriously. It mocks Jewish stereotypes, blacksploitation movies, and 70's action movies in general. If you like Knocked Up or Superbad, you'd like this. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful Just the premise of this movie by the way it is described here, I do not want to watch it and frankly I think it is offensive - satire, comedy or not. I think this is offensive to Christians and ... Read More Just the premise of this movie by the way it is described here, I do not want to watch it and frankly I think it is offensive - satire, comedy or not. I think this is offensive to Christians and Jews because it demeans these special religious messages. I normally find racial, religious or cultural stereotypes in humor totally funny, but it sounds like this goes too far. Could you imagine if there was a satiric movie made about a Christian detective because an evil Jewish stepfather 'Rabbi Schlomo Hannukah' was underhandedly convincing Christians to abandon their celebration of Christmas and celebrate Hannukah? What a cry of anti-Jewish sentiment there would be (and rightfully so). But, no problem making our Christian symbols evil and bad. I think either movie would be totally offensive to both Jews and Christians. Why do you guys in Hollywood now keep demeaning the beautiful messages of our religions. Long live uplifting movies like 'It's a Wonderful Life'. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful This movie makes GARBAGE smell good. I like good Jewish humor and believe me there is nothing good about this movies. What a waste of an hour, which is about how long I watched it see if it was ... Read More This movie makes GARBAGE smell good. I like good Jewish humor and believe me there is nothing good about this movies. What a waste of an hour, which is about how long I watched it see if it was going to better. I thought it was offensive to both Jews and non-Jews and should have turned it off when I read the opening statement. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful I couldn't even finish watching this movie, it was so bad. I generally love Jewish humor, even when -- or especially if -- it pokes fun at itself. However, Hebrew Hammer struck me as immature and unfunny; sort of like a high school production of Woody-Allen-Plays-Shaft -- but with a shakier plot. The pacing is abysmal, the acting is wooden and confused, and the jokes were old when my grandmother was telling them. The gratuitious profanity adds nothing. Good thing my Blockbuster subscription doesn't charge by the movie, or I'd ask for a refund.WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful The premise of this movie was pure gold, but somehow the writer/director managed to screw it up royally. The five minutes of this movie that are actually funny are the five minutes that it stays true ... Read More The premise of this movie was pure gold, but somehow the writer/director managed to screw it up royally. The five minutes of this movie that are actually funny are the five minutes that it stays true to the genre it is parodying: the blaxploitation films of the '70s. The rest of the movie is just an endless stream of Jew jokes that range from mildly amusing to irritatingly cliched.
The best humor works by running contrary to stereotypes and expectations. The Hebrew Hammer should have been that type of humor, presenting an uncharacteristically badassss Jew standing up for his brothers. Instead, he's just the embodiment of every Jewish stereotype in the book, switching over to badassedness only when it's convenient for a joke.
Overall, this movie is a jumbled mess with slow pacing and predictable humor. The presence of profanity - often substituted for actual jokes - does nothing to pull this disaster out of its constant downward spiral. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No |
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