 Editorial Reviews
From Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide
Magnum Force: Eastwood's second go-round as individualistic San Francisco cop Dirty Harry Callahan. This time he traces a series of mysterious slayings to the police department itself, and finds himself in extra-hot water. Some brutal scenes; not nearly as stylish as the original. Written by John Milius and Michael Cimino. Look for Suzanne Somers at gangster's pool party. Followed by THE ENFORCER. Panavision.
Sudden Impact: Fourth DIRTY HARRY vehicle relies on durable formula, as maverick cop gives us vicarious pleasure of doing in society's scum, but this entry is longer, and sillier, than need be. Locke plays a woman taking out murderous revenge on men (and one lesbian!) who raped her and her sister years ago. Followed by THE DEAD POOL. Panavision.
Dirty Harry: '' Riveting action film with Eastwood as iconoclastic cop determined to bring in psychotic serial killer Robinson, even if he has to break some rules. Brilliantly filmed and edited for maximum impact. Jazzy score by Lalo Schifrin. Filmed ``in tribute to the police officers of San Francisco who gave their lives in the line of duty. '' Followed by MAGNUM FORCE, THE ENFORCER, SUDDEN IMPACT, and THE DEAD POOL. Panavision.
The Enforcer: Rule-breaking detective Dirty Harry Callahan (Eastwood) has to contend with a female partner (Daly) as he goes after an underground terrorist group in San Francisco. Violent, bubble-gum-mentality script, but it's a formula that just seems to work. Followed by SUDDEN IMPACT. Panavision.
The Dead Pool: Fifth (and final) DIRTY HARRY movie finds Callahan investigating a bizarre death-threat list, while becoming involved (professionally and personally) with a female TV reporter. The story's pretty straightforward--check out Carrey as a druggy rock star--the killing almost cartoonish, and the film surprisingly watchable (if not inspired). Eastwood's strong screen presence makes all the difference.
Copyright© Leonard Maltin, 1998-2001, used by arrangement with Signet, a division of Penguin Putnam, Inc.
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