Magnum Force
1973
Director: Ted Post
Starring: Clint
Eastwood, Hal Holbrook, Mitchell Ryan, Tim Matheson, Robert Urich, Felton
Perry, David Soul
Rated R
What does a woman have
to do to go to bed with you?
Try knocking on the
door.
Dirty Harry
returned to the screens after 2 years in the follow up, Magnum Force. The sequel
deals with turning the tables on Harry making go against what he seemed to be
championing himself in the first film.
Whereas Harry’s vigilantism and recklessness was arguable to solve a
case and the life of a girl before her time ran out, Magnum Force’s villains
are just straight up executing those that managed to weasel out of the
courtroom on technicalities. While the first film did include action and violence, it was
more suspense oriented. This film ramps
up the violence to another level. The
kills are ruthless and gory. Some of the
deaths in this film will even make you wince.
The film also features a lot of boobies, including those of pre Three’s Company Suzanne Somers.
The film’s mystery seems quite easy, but it’s a little more
complex than that. You can probably peg
who’s involved and maybe will bite on the red herring, that’s all kind of
obvious. However, how they’re involved
and the ways things play out are part of the fun. There’s also one big surprise player not
revealed until the end. The cast is quite a fun mix of seasoned veteran male
actors against a group of rising young actors.
At first glance, the films photography and direction looks a
little standard. However, this film is
likely pioneered or was a contributor to shaping big budget spectacle action
films. There’s some really innovative
stuff here. The aesthetic looks of the
typical 70's but the geography and camera movements provide quite a thrill. There are some great car chases and shootouts
filling out Magnum Force. The film is a lot less suspense driven and
more action based, and it works.
Lalo Schifrin returns to do the score and this time brings a
more solid and focused effort. The
opening titles theme is highly catchy and memorable. I wish it would have been used more
throughout. The music feels slightly of
an exploitation film, but maybe that was just a typical style of the time. It does fit with that of the first film.
Magnum Force falls
just short of being as good as the first film, but it comes close. The character of Harry Callahan is still
gruff, but produces some genuine and earned laughs when necessary. The action gets bigger and the premise of the
first film is flipped on its head. It’s
a very good follow up and definitely one of the best sequels of all time. It feels wholly original and new while also
making its retreads feel fresh and new.
If you enjoyed Dirty Harry,
jump right into to Magnum Force. It’s a great time.
Up Next: THE ENFORCER
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