Back in 1968 Clint Eastwood did a film called "Coogan's Bluff" where an Arizona cop follows the trail of a criminal to New York City. The movie was practically a prelude to "Dirty Harry" as Clint Eastwood metaphorically took his well known Western tough guy persona into the big city. Two years later he would pick up and immortalize the .44 Magnum. Now, after 5 "Dirty Harry" films Clint Eastwood goes through another film that serves as a metaphorical transition: a tough as nails veteran cop gets partnered with a rookie. The comparisons to Dirty Harry have been made, but they are pretty much inevitable and unavoidable. Though that doesn't really detract from this film.
The plot is relatively straightforward - Det. Pulovski goes out to avenge his partner's death and Ackerman is an eager new cop ready to show that he has what it takes to do an often "dirty" job. Pun intended.
As far as Clint Eastwood's body of work is concerned this is one of his more ridiculous and self-indulgent films; in particular the concluding act has some odd excess and the final action scene turns too cold blooded for its own good. However, even as a straightforward and often brainless action movie that is in now way as legendary as Eastwood's other work it is still enjoyable. There are some spectacular stunts - "fasten your seat belt" - and despite Eastwood playing a familiar character he puts enough amusing spin into the film; particularly Raul Julia as the villain - he's so straightforward, yet so oddly original at the same time. Almost like Hans Gruber's brother, or maybe cousin, who went into the car jacking business. --- 7/10
BsCDb Classification: 13+ --- violence, profanity
The plot is relatively straightforward - Det. Pulovski goes out to avenge his partner's death and Ackerman is an eager new cop ready to show that he has what it takes to do an often "dirty" job. Pun intended.
As far as Clint Eastwood's body of work is concerned this is one of his more ridiculous and self-indulgent films; in particular the concluding act has some odd excess and the final action scene turns too cold blooded for its own good. However, even as a straightforward and often brainless action movie that is in now way as legendary as Eastwood's other work it is still enjoyable. There are some spectacular stunts - "fasten your seat belt" - and despite Eastwood playing a familiar character he puts enough amusing spin into the film; particularly Raul Julia as the villain - he's so straightforward, yet so oddly original at the same time. Almost like Hans Gruber's brother, or maybe cousin, who went into the car jacking business. --- 7/10
BsCDb Classification: 13+ --- violence, profanity