Saturday 24 July 2010

Magnum Force (1973) Dir: Ted Post

First sequel to the stunning original, this is a leaner, meaner animal, though more polished and, as a result, lacking the teeth of the progenitor.
'Dirty' Harry Callahan is running foul of his Super Intendent, his frequent misdemeanours and allegations of heavy handed policing following him around like a bad stink, a reputation he does little to shake off. When Harry chances upon a bunch of rookies practicing at the firing lane in the early hours, he is duly impressed and seems to aspire to be more like them.
Simultaneously, the major players in San Francisco's criminal underworld are being slain one by one and, whilst the violence of the crimes is abhored, the choice of victims is approved of by many.
Soon after, Harry is approached by the group of rookies, who ask him to join them in their bid to 'clean up' the city and, when he refuses, a showdown is sure to follow soon enough.
It's a good film, steeped in atmosphere and tension, with some truly glorious shots of San Francisco circa 1973, though it doesn't captivate in quite the way the original managed.
Still, recommended all the same.

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