One Down, Two to Go (1982) Review

When Fred Williamson, Jim Brown, Jim Kelly, and Richard Roundtree share the screen, expectations naturally shoot through the roof. One Down, Two to Go promises a dream-team reunion of blaxploitation legends — the kind of lineup that practically guarantees fireworks.

Unfortunately, while the charisma is there, the spark doesn’t always catch.

The story revolves around a martial arts tournament in Los Angeles that turns out to be fixed by organized crime. When fighters Chuck (Jim Kelly) and Ralph (Richard Roundtree) uncover the scheme, things quickly escalate and Chuck is seriously wounded. That’s when Cal (Fred Williamson) and J (Jim Brown) step in, determined to settle the score with the mobsters running the show.

On paper, the setup is perfect for a gritty action showdown. In execution, the film sometimes drifts. The pacing is uneven, and the script takes its time bringing the main players together — which is frustrating when the biggest draw is seeing these four icons share the screen.

Fred Williamson, directing as well as starring and writing, injects the film with his usual confidence and screen presence. When he’s front and center, the film has bite. Jim Brown adds his stoic authority, Jim Kelly brings the martial arts flair, and Richard Roundtree’s cool detective energy rounds out the quartet nicely.

The real disappointment is that the film often keeps these legends apart longer than it should. When they finally do share scenes, you get glimpses of the movie fans probably hoped the whole runtime would deliver — tough-guy camaraderie, sharp banter, and bursts of satisfying action.

The tournament setting itself adds some authenticity, especially with the martial arts competition atmosphere lending the film a slightly different flavor than a typical street crime story. Still, the fight scenes and action beats don’t quite hit the explosive level the cast suggests.

That said, for fans of ’70s and early ’80s action cinema, the film still carries undeniable appeal. Seeing four genre giants operating in the same story — even if not always in the same frame — gives One Down, Two to Go a certain cult charm.

It may not fully deliver on its legendary lineup, but for blaxploitation enthusiasts, watching these icons circle the same battlefield still has its rewards.