In 2008 I saw the film Dirty Harry for the first time ever. However I only saw it on the "edited for TV" form on the History Channel. Last month I started my series entitled "In Conclusion" based on various film series. For my third edition I decided to go back and watch all five Dirty Harry films for the first time ever. In this edition I will give a final perspective on the series and rank each film, each Clint Eastwood performance, each antagonist, each partner, and each character played by Albert Popwell(who was in the first four films of the series as a different character in each). Here are my rankings.
Films:
1.Dirty Harry-This was the beginning of the "tough cop" era of action films which would run from this point til about 1988 when Die Hard changed everything. Dirty Harry was the case of taking a classic detective versus killer story and giving it a modern twist using conflicts from that time period(such as criminal rights and the changing view on how policemen should conduct their work). What adds to this story is that it took place right around the same time the Zodiac Killer was running rampant through the Bay Area. The Zodiac, himself would be the inspiration for the main antagonist the Scorpio Killer as most of his actions reflected those of the Zodiac. Its a nonstop thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish and really makes you think.
2.Magnum Force-This was good. I will say though that Dirty Harry didn't need a sequel and should've been just one film. However Magnum Force nearly surpasses the original. Clint's performance in this film is very great and it has the best twist I've ever seen in an action movie. Like Dirty Harry it makes you think and it has some pretty wicked action sequences.
3.The Enforcer-The plotline is great. However it is very strangely formatted. The entire ending sequence felt like it was rushed. I'm also not really fond of the storyline with Harry's partner Kate. I do understand the time period and that the idea of the series is that Harry does things the old fashion way but I wish they had dedicated more time to the Strike Force than they did that. Like the previous two films their is a message in it but unlike the previous two there just isn't any good action sequences. It had potential but collapsed in the first 20 minutes. The lack of mystery also hurt it in my mind as the antagonist is established in the first 2 minutes.
4.Sudden Impact-This is a fine example of how early to mid-80's style of film making can to be totally cheesy. I felt the series was just fine at three films due to the third one indicating that Harry may leave the force. However Dirty Harry returned by popular demand. Sudden Impact starts out great but the minute I see Sondra Locke I start cringing. This is an example of why no one should have too much power, Clint was granted both directing, producing and casting rights for this film. Don't get me wrong Clint is a great director and an ok producer but the fact you allowed him to cast his girlfriend in the lead female role just sickens me. Too much focus on her. This doesn't even feel like a Dirty Harry film nor should it even exist. The only redeeming qualities to this film is the action in it and a great antagonist in Mick the Rapist. It had potential but they really should've done a straight Dirty Harry film and not a Hitchcockian piece.
5.The Dead Pool-They went back to San Francisco for this film(which made me happy). I consider this film to be the end of "tough, hard nosed cop dealing with thugs" era in action films. This film is why I would love to see one final Dirty Harry film. To this day I'm not even sure why they made it. Clint doesn't look interested and the whole film just wreaks of the same cheese that annoyed me in Sudden Impact. I felt they just rushed this film and could've done better if there was any actual message to it. There are some redeeming qualities to it such as Jim Carrey playing rocker Johnny Squares and lip synching Welcome to the Jungle. You also have Liam Neeson as the film director Peter Swan and a cameo appearance by Guns N' Roses. Despite all this the film falls flat and I feel its a rather poor way of ending the series.
Clint Eastwood Performances:
1.Dirty Harry-I don't care how good Gene Hackman did in The French Connection, Clint's performance here blew him away. Its an even bigger crime that he wasn't nominated for Best Actor.
2.The Enforcer-Clint reverted back to his older form in the original film. There were times in Magnum Force that felt like he wasn't playing Harry. Here he returns to form and I think the final scene gives this film a boost over Magnum Force.
3.Magnum Force-Despite being a great film, I felt Clint's performance suffered. I'm not sure whether to blame it on the writers of the film or Clint himself but there were times where it just didn't seem like he was playing 'Dirty' Harry Callahan. The lack of an iconic scene the ending of the first hurts it too.
4.The Dead Pool-He actually seems interested here. His performance is maybe 10 feet away from reaching the level of his Magnum Force performance but there are times where it seems to lack(likely due to the writing of the script). I got a similar vibe to the original but it falls short.
5.Sudden Impact-Like I mentioned, it didn't feel like a Dirty Harry film. In fact I can make a case that he only plays Harry twice during the film. The first time when he's in San Francisco and in the final scene. Otherwise it felt like a typical 80's neo noir melodrama. I know Clint loves the series but he just didn't look interested here.
Antagonists:
1.The Scorpio Killer(Dirty Harry)-Sick, sadistic, creepy, disturbing all is linked toward this character. I think him being based on the real-life Zodiac Killer helps this character. Truth be told, its probably the closest depiction of the Zodiac in cinema. Andy Robinson like Clint, should've been nominated for an Oscar.
2.The Magnum Force(Magnum Force)-I won't go into details because I'd rather not spoil Magnum Force.
3.Mick the Rapist(Sudden Impact)-He doesn't have much screen time but in the time he is on screen you get a similar vibe that the Scorpio Killer gave off. I believe what hurts him is the lack of screen time. But overall just like the Scorpio Killer he's creepy, sick, sadistic, and disturbing.
4.The People's Revolutionary Strike Force(The Enforcer)-This group has a lot of potential but its not really developed like Scorpio nor is it mysterious like the Magnum Force. They do give the leader Bobby Maxwell a backstory but otherwise they're not as interesting as the Magnum Force nor is Maxwell as sadistic as Scorpio.
5.The Psychotic Dude(The Dead Pool)-I know his name but I won't disclose any details because I don't like spoiling movies in my review(particularly serious ones that a casual viewer may have interest in seeing). I just think this character was heavily rushed and would've been served better if they had done more with him.
Best Partners:
1.Chico Gonzalez(Dirty Harry)-He doesn't get in the way and he is very helpful towards saving Harry's life. Harry probably wishes he still had him for later films.
2.Kate Moore(The Enforcer)-I know I mentioned that I disliked the subplot with her but I enjoyed her character for the most part because she's actually semi-useful toward Harry particularly in the final scenes.
3.Early Smith(Magnum Force)-I really can't say too many things positive except that he was at least semi-helpful to Harry. However he's a total complete idiot.
4.Al Quan(The Dead Pool)-The karate severely annoyed me since it seems like every Asian in film between 1970 and 1998 know karate. He actually helps out with Harry and fights back against the people targeting him.
5.Horace King(Sudden Impact)-I sincerely don't remember him doing anything except dying. I often question his purpose in this film.
Characters Played by Albert Popwell:
1.Bank Robber(Dirty Harry)-Only because of this scene
2.Mustapha(The Enforcer)-Very resourceful to helping Harry against the Strike Force. I wish they had brought him back as an antagonist later in the series.
3.The Pimp(Magnum Force)-Well he drove a nice car. The character is pretty sadistic too bad he gets wasted later.
4.Horace King(Sudden Impact)-I seriously think you could erase him from this movie and no one would notice.
Overall:The "Dirty Harry" series would probably be ranked as one of, if not the greatest trilogy of all-time had they just stopped after The Enforcer. However the next two films just drug the series down. I personally think that Dirty Harry is great as a stand-alone film and that the sequels were completely pointless. However I still like Magnum Force and to some extent I like The Enforcer. Sudden Impact and The Dead Pool, however I can live without. I hope they do make a final film but with Clint pushing 80 that just isn't going to happen. Its ashame because Harry walking off with the reporter in The Dead Pool has no real meaning and is a poor way of ending the series. This is the end of "In Conclusion:Dirty Harry" stay tuned for next edition of "In Conclusion" at some point in the future.
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