Magnum Force (1973)

Harry, he is still the law. Magnum Force is directed by Ted Post and collectively written by Harry and Rita Fink, John Milius and Michael Cimino. It stars Clint Eastwood, Hal Holbrook, Mitchell Ryan, David Soul, Felton Perry, Tim Matheson and Robert Urich. Music is by Lalo Schifrin and cinematography by Frank Stanley. The second Dirty Harry movie finds Inspector Callahan on the trail of a vigilante group who are offing Frisco’s villains. Following in the wake of "Dirty Harry" was never going to be easy, Don Siegel’s film was very much a trail blazer of sorts, giving the movie lovers of the world a different cop than that which was accustomed. So what to do with "Magnum Force" then, the inevitable sequel given "Dirty Harry’s" popularity? The makers come up with a great idea, have Harry confront a group of vigilantes who believe in his own kill crime ethics, only they take it to the extreme. So begins a trail of blood for Harry to follow which leads him right where we the viewers pretty much knew he was going to end up. Ted Post is no Don Siegel, and although the action and all round testosterone feel that so marked out the "Dirty Harry" films is exciting and evident respectively, there’s periods where the film meanders. The instances that serve to add more complexity to Harry’s make-up is welcome, but aside from a jumping bean turn from Holbrook, the director can’t get much out of the rest of the cast, as shame since there’s a lot of up and coming talent and stalwarts in the mix. Still, even with some minor and evident problems it’s a lively and entertaining sequel (the best of them actually), one that doesn’t shy away from pushing some buttons and baiting of critics who had disdain for the first film. The ending is a disappointment, though, but the journey is ultimately meaty and macho. 7.5/10

The second movie on Dirty Harry's series is better than the first. Harry's character gets some evolution and we start to see a bit of the human being and his private life behind that gun. The directing is good, Eastwood makes a good performance and the plot and dialogues are slightly better than in the first. The soundtrack is also something to remark in this one.

A strong follow-up to 'Dirty Harry'. I feel as positively about this as I do about that 1971 original. I don't think they set the world alight per se, but they are unquestionably entertaining and have a strong vibe about them. Clint Eastwood is terrific, while the support cast - though not on the aforementioned's level - are solid. Good story, well paced... I like it.

To break it down, Harry is cleaned up and taking on vigilantes...by acting like one himself. In all honesty, the Dirty Harry films are hit and miss, but this one seems to contradict itself the most and that doesn't sit well. It's better than The Dead Pool, but it doesn't really fit with Harry's personality.