The Hebrew Hammer (2003)

Wow! Such a good movie.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

One of my top 5 favourites of all time, so many inside jokes. A classic! Can hardly wait for the sequel , which apparently is still moving forward. I once gave DVD copies to my Jewish friends on Chanukah. A great date movie to help break the ice with your Jewish princess (or prince) The sequel is titled "THE HEBREW HAMMER VS Hitler" How can you go wrong with a title like that. OK, now I'm filling lines for posting requirements Find a part for Sandy Koufax , Kesselman Gilbert Gottfried ? Jackie Mason before, you know. Where can I get a good corned beef sandwich in this town, that's not too dry? Nobody makes good corned beef anymore.

Odd as it may sound, it takes a bit of brains to enjoy the Hebrew Hammer. The movie requires its viewers to have a fairly extensive knowledge of Jewish stereotypes, which is what the film lives off of, quite effectivelyNot since Mel Brook's last good movie (Men in Tights) have I sampled Jewish humour this laugh out loud. It's wild and wacky, and despite pushing into the red zone, it's not all that offencive (unless you are orthodox). My dad is an extremely tough critic, and is easily offended by red zone stuff, but I got him to watch part of this, and he laughed. The plot is deliberately cheesy. It concerns a pimping agent of a Jewish Justice League, who goes by the name of 'Hammer', and he takes on the mission to stop Santa Claus Jr. from destroying Chanukah (which he is unable to pronounce).The jokes keep coming, and they never get tiring, but in the climactic twenty minutes, something goes wrong. The humour starts to disintegrate a bit (except for a funny cameo by Ed Koch) and the silliness of the plot ceases to wink at itself, It goes from satirical cliché to regular cliché (the hero must rescue his damsel in distress)Well, no film is perfect. I suppose there is one other problem with the movie, but it's not as big a deal. I'm not realty sure who best to recommend it to. If I had to guess I would say this kind of stuff would be right for the same audience who embraces Team America. It is crude, crazy, satirical, but really funny.

Too bad the IMDb scoring system isn't favorable to movies like this one. If you're not familiar with Jewish culture then you'll likely miss most of the jokes. I'm born Jewish and my parents tried to raise me as one too, but they completely gave up when I was around 10. I've grown to be agnostic and I haven't know any Jews personally for at least 15 years (except for my parents, who barely count).I felt like this movie was made for me. I laughed so hard I almost choked myself, while my friends were often wondering what the hell I was laughing at.I think it's meant for a very specific audience. If you understand/are familiar with Jewish culture, you will love this movie. It's just so out there and has a succulent in your face attitude.

If you laugh, you'll have to watch it again. This movie makes Mel Brook's 'Blazing Saddles' and other productions seem like serious and refined drama. If you cannot restrain your laughter, you will miss hearing the next line and have to watch it again. It is one of the most irreverent, politically incorrect, well produced and directed film in this genre I have ever seen...definitely not for kids, but then they wouldn't understand the jokes anyway...probably ruin it for you with their persistent questions. If you are Jewish, this film will rank among the best comedies you have ever watched. If you are not Jewish, this film will rank among the second best comedies you have ever watched...so check your lineage before you rate this film