Magnum Force

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 15:06:34 +0100

A lot of magnums, not so much force.

"Magnum Force" is the first sequel to the 1971 original classic "Dirty Harry", which starred Clint Eastwood as a dirty cop who would stop at nothing to prevent a sniper from gunning down innocent people.Read my review of "Dirty Harry" below this review if you want to know more about it."Magnum Force" is a sequel that knows how to stay true to it's name by having lots of gunfire from magnums and people dying as a result from the force of the bullet, but doesn't stay true to the Dirty Harry formula that the original had.The first movie actually had a sense of humor to it's seriousness.Why not in the sequel? Would it've killed the director just to add a funny pun or two? I guess it would've.Similar to the first, "Magnum Force" is effective with it's simple story revolving around motorcycle cops who break the law by murdering crooks that no cop can get their hands on.Nobody knows that these are cops performing these violent acts, but Dirty Harry knows that these aren't just random killings, and it's up to him to find the people responsible for the deaths of God knows how many people.I know that one of them is a pimp.Simple story and a fine performance by Clint Eastwood, but what makes "Magnum Force" a sequel that doesn't do much for the original without disrespecting it? It didn't have that feeling that "Dirty Harry" had.That spark that made the original entertaining was gone here.The movie itself was fine but I missed what made the first so good.There's definetly more action and violence here than there ever was, so fans of old yet classic action scenes won't be dissapointed.Just don't expect a great movie.It's a good one, but not what I wanted it to be.

Grade: B

Dirty Harry

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 22:18:11 +0100

Makes Bruce Willis as a cop look like a babysitter.

"Dirty Harry" is a sometimes gritty and always dirty cop movie that features a top notch performance by one of the greatest directors of our time, Clint Eastwood.This 1971 crime drama alone proves that great directors can also act.Take "Million Dollar Baby" as an example.Clint stars as a dirty cop named Harry Callahan, but most people call him Dirty Harry? Why do they call him that? He's doesn't care for any race, including his own and he isn't exactly the type of cop that likes to play by the rules.When it comes down to it, Harry will torture a victim to get information out of him.There's news going around that a sniper has killed 2 people.He wrote to the police that if he doesn't recieve $100,000, he will kill someone.Harry is put on the case and whatever happens next may jeopardize his carreer and the lives of others.The story is kept at a simple pace and the performances are all very good.Eastwood hits the nail on the head as a dirty cop and I wish to see the rest of the "Dirty Harry" films.If you ask me, Andrew Robinson should receive most of the credit here for his role as the deadly sniper Scorpio.Don't get me wrong, Eastwood is very good, but the scene where Scorpio takes a bus full of children hostage really got me into Andrew's character.The film overall is a very good crime drama and/or cop movie.Eastwood and Robinson light up the screen with their roles and the story kept me entertained throughout the movie's 102 minute running time.If you like classical cop movies and you enjoy seeing Clint Eastwood's acting, I highly recommend you check this one out.

Grade: A-

dirty-harry

Magnum Force

Dirty Harry