★ 3 / 10
It needs work
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Angela Shelton's 2017 film The Hammer tells the story of boxer George "The Hammer" Martin, an Olympian whose life and career should have made for an inspiring…
Angela Shelton's 2017 film The Hammer tells the story of boxer George "The Hammer" Martin, an Olympian whose life and career should have made for an inspiring sports biopic. Unfortunately, while the film has moments of sincerity and potential, it ultimately struggles to find the right rhythm between storytelling and action. Shelton clearly cared about portraying George's life with authenticity, but the execution feels uneven, weighed down by too much exposition and not enough of the visceral energy that boxing dramas thrive on.For a film about a fighter, there's surprisingly little fighting. The story leans heavily on dialogue and backstory, often circling around emotional beats without giving the audience the payoff of truly gripping or memorable boxing sequences. The pacing feels bogged down by an overabundance of story threads that never fully connect, leaving the audience overwhelmed by information but underwhelmed by emotional impact.That's not to say the movie is without value. Shelton's direction has moments of heart, and George Martin's life itself is worth recognition-his journey from the 1984 Olympics to professional boxing deserves a spotlight. But the problem lies in how little awareness the film has received. It's the kind of biopic that quietly appeared, stayed under the radar, and vanished without much cultural conversation, which feels unfair given the subject matter.The irony is that The Hammer tells the story of a man who made history, yet the film doesn't manage to make history of its own. It never captures the fire, the determination, or the emotional stakes that make classic boxing dramas like Raging Bull or Creed so powerful. Instead, it feels too safe-too focused on telling a story rather than showing us why that story matters.There's a decent foundation here. The acting is fine, and the intention is admirable, but it's missing that raw, cinematic punch that could have turned George's story into something unforgettable. You leave the movie knowing the broad strokes of his life but without feeling deeply connected to it.In the end, The Hammer is an okay film-it's competent, heartfelt in parts, but far from gripping. It's not one I'd revisit or rush to recommend unless you're in the mood for something simple and straightforward. For those just looking to fill some time or discover an under-the-radar sports biopic, it might be worth a one-time watch, but don't expect it to leave much of an impression once the credits roll.
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weird movie but pretty good 6/10