I continue to marvel at the DVD revolution. When I first learned about DVD several years ago, I rightly figured that it would change the way we watch movies. What I didn't figure on was how much. Thanks to the acquisition of a relatively cheap player and a cheaper subscription to a rental service, I can sit in front of the television set EVERY NIGHT and watch cult, exploitation, horror, action, and other films in dozens of genres that were next to impossible to find a few years ago. And if you could find a beat up VHS copy of a low budget classic, for example, you would pay top dollar for the privilege because you had to buy, not rent, the film. Video stores out where I live long ago quit carrying the sorts of films I longed to see. Heck, the last time I considered myself lucky at the local movie store was when I found an uncut version of Joe D'Amato's "Buio Omega," under the name "Buried Alive," at a major retailer well known for not carrying such cinematic treasures. And that was probably fifteen years ago! Yep, DVD is not only here to stay but also keeps growing by leaps and bounds. No film is too outrageous for rerelease on DVD, which is where Jack Hill's blaxploitation epics enter the picture.

First Hill gave us Pam Grier in the over the top "Coffy." The following year he gave us an eyeful of Pam again in "Foxy Brown." The latter film is a real hoot, a film that contains lots of sleazy scenes done with a style that only the 1970s could bring us. Grier stars as, not surprisingly, Foxy Brown, a woman just trying to do the right things in life. When her narcotics agent boyfriend Michael Anderson (Terry Carter) perishes at the hands of thugs in the employ of the notorious drug kingpin Katherine Wall (Kathryn Loder), it's time to kick some serious you know what! Foxy goes on her own undercover mission to bring down Wall and her vicious sidekick Steve Elias (Peter Brown), and she uses every asset she can to accomplish her task. Her job is made more difficult thanks to her no good drug dealing brother Link (Antonio Fargas), whose debts to Wall's operation virtually insure that he will do something that his sister finds morally reprehensible. Her brother initially turns to his sister for help when Wall's heavies turn up the heat, but it's all over when he learns about Foxy's boyfriend and how much his employers want this guy. Foxy must now turn against her own flesh and blood if she wants to seek revenge.

By posing as the voluptuous Misty Cotton, Foxy infiltrates Wall's personal harem in an effort to gather evidence against those responsible for her personal tragedy. What Brown discovers is an operation involved in all sorts of illicit activities, oftentimes activities that prey on the black community. In fact, Foxy will eventually enlist the assistance of a local Black Panther type group dedicated to the eradication of drugs in the community. In the process of righting wrongs, she makes friends with another working girl, discovers that corruption runs high up in the city's power structure, and narrowly survives a dangerous abduction. Foxy punches, stabs, shoots, kicks, and even sets fire to anyone who stands in her way. She's not above stashing weapons in her Afro, either. And she does it all while wearing the funkiest fashions these eyes have seen since Grier donned even more outrageous clothes in "Coffy." The conclusion to "Foxy Brown" ranks as one of the most jaw dropping denouements in cinematic history--at least in B movie history. It's sleazy and seedy, and completely fitting considering the film deals with a strong woman asserting herself.

"Foxy Brown" isn't quite as good as "Coffy," but it's darn close. I missed the excellent cat fighting sequences found in the first film, the razorblades in the Afro trick, and Grier's Jamaican accent. While there is a chick fight in a bar here, it isn't as well choreographed and isn't as much fun. The violence her also doesn't quite live up to Hill and Grier's earlier collaboration. "Coffy" had a nifty exploding head scene and a nasty sequence involving a guy being dragged by a car. "Foxy Brown" can't really compete with these outrageous scenes--aside from it's ending, of course--but it doesn't really matter. The film is still a blast as Grier does what she does best: kill the bad guys and look good doing it. Sid Haig even shows up in a small role as a fast talking pilot who falls under Foxy's charms and soon regrets his decision. There's even an unintentionally hilarious part at the end of the film when we hear a voice over say "Superbaaaaad!" as Grier gets in a car. Oh man, I laughed so hard my sides hurt when I heard that gem. But further reflection proves the veracity of that statement--Foxy is superbad, and in a great way that continues to entertain viewers who weren't even born when this film first arrived on the scene.

The extras on the disc include a very nice transfer of the film, a trailer, and another monotonous commentary from Jack Hill. While the guy made some great exploitation films, both blaxploitation and women in prison flicks, listening to his commentaries is often an excruciating experience. I still recommend giving them a quick pass through, however, since Hill always throws out a few intriguing comments about surviving the low budget filmmaking process. If you're just starting out with the blaxploitation genre, start with "Coffy" and then move on to this one. You'll like it.

For better or worse, this movie is a classic.
As is the case with most of the blaxploitation
genre, if you're looking for depth and artistic
value, good luck and keep moving. But if you're in
the market for thoughtless, fun media,
BINGO!!!

I actually like this film, mainly because it is
a showcase for Pam Grier. She combines brutal, sometimes
psychotic strenth with a vulnerable, loveable sweetness.
She evokes compassion while also satifsying the viewer's
need for vicarious revenge. Furthermore, the ample display
of flesh leaves no question that she is indeed a Woman
foremost, and a vengeful psychopath second.

Some of the scenes in this film are too long and take away from the total action. And although there is sufficient violence, I still wish we could see a more physical Foxy.
The fight sequences are basic and rudimentary.
Also, the final scene where she gets revenge
against the Lady Pimp is great! It is also a big
letdown because by this point in the film our
claws are sharpened, our fangs are bared, and
we're all panting for blood. And all we get is a flesh wound and poetic symbolism ("Death is too good for you , BITCH!! I want you to suffer.....) Oh well.

Overall, I would recommend this film. It's a fun flick.
With all of its faults you still won't be disappointed.
Buy this.

This is an unbelievable movie. You must see it to believe it. Precurser of Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, and Kill Bill. Rough. Imaginative, manic plot shifts from slapstick to murder to melodrama to mutilation to sex to drugs to catfights to family problems to ... well, just about everything. You enter a different world. Great clashing seventies' colors and hairstyles and music. Unbelievable!

Pam Grier is very sexy as Foxy Brown but overall the movie is a stinker.

That's all I got to say other then the plot stinks and that Pam is the only reason I give this flick 3 stars. It's pretty much a revenge movie that's it and it's a very dumb one too(no offense)

By the way sadly they are remaking this film and is set to come out 05 and rumors say that Hallie Barry will play as Foxy..oh poop..

3 stars..

I snuck into a theatre to see this movie when it came out.. so when I saw it for sale..I thought I had to have it.. Upon further review.. this is simply is an awful movie! The limited times that Pam takes off her shirt almost makes it worth the price.. but not really. There were good movies made in this time period, but this is not one of them. What a shame that Pam's talents were wasted on this blaxpoitation crap.. she should have been a huge star.