Review of The Hebrew Hammer (2003) by John Y — 09 Feb 2005

[b][size=3][font=Times New Roman]What Spinal Tap did to the Rocumentary and what Austin Powers did to the spy flick, The Hebrew Hammer attempts to do to testosterone induced rebel films. One?s appreciation, or even toleration, of the Hebrew Hammer depends on whether or not they buy into it. It is ridiculous, sophomoric and potentially offensive to Jews, African-Americans, and even Christmasphiles. However, the script is witty and multidimensional. In addition, the performances delivered by Adam Goldberg, Judy Greer, and Mario Van Peebles strike a fine mix of funny, sexy, and cool.[/font][/size][/b].

[b][size=3][font=Times New Roman]On the surface, the film is almost a series of sketch comedy scenes. Notable of which are when reindeer butcher Santa (shown silhouette a la Hitchcock) as the Christmas patriarch gasps, ?Et tu Vixen..? Also when the hero?s mother guilt-trick-manipulates him at the dinner table into doing exactly what he said that he would not do, save Hanukkah, five minutes prior. The amazing thing to me about the script was that, instead of existing in isolation such as in films like Anchorman, there is a sense of pacing, texture, and plot to the sketches as they make up a greater whole.[/font][/size][/b].

[b][size=3][font=Times New Roman]The Hebrew Hammer is not going to change the world or revolutionize the film industry. Those very sensitive to racial stereotypes being exaggerated for humors? sake or generally possessing a PC disposition may want to avoid the movie. What the Hebrew Hammer does best is add a colorful, new dimension to the action, rebel-genre, parody.[/font][/size][/b].