The Enforcer

Not as enjoyable as the first two, but 'The Enforcer' still entertains.

Clint Eastwood is again excellent in reprising the role of Harry Callahan, while the support cast is spearheaded by the likes of Tyne Daly and Harry Guardino. I don't really have much to say that's different from the 1971 and 1973 films, in that it's a fun flick that is paced well; even if, again, it is a drop from its two predecessors.

The Enforcer (1976)

*** (out of 4)

The third film in the series finds Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) going up against a group of crazed Vietnam vets who take the Mayor hostage and demanding money for him before they not only kill him but blow up the city. With a new partner (Tyne Daly) at his side Harry must try and find out who the group is.

This here is quite as good as the previous film but it's certainly still a winner as everything that makes the series so memorable is on display here and considering it's the third film in the series, it's still rather impressive how fresh the lead character is as well as the story. I think it's fair to say that the story is "B" movie material but it's still very effective and it's certainly good enough to hold your attention from start to finish and of course there are a few twists thrown in as well.

This third film gives Harry a female partner, which allows for various sexist scenes that could only work in a film from this era. The different sex really adds quite a bit to the movie since it does get the laughs that you'd expect in certain scenes but it's also a refreshing take on the genre. By this time the Dirty Harry character was already iconic so the toughness of that character mixed well with the female officer here. It certainly doesn't hurt that Eastwood and Daly have so much chemistry together. The two of them are very effective in their roles with Eastwood clearly at ease playing this tough-as-nails cop who doesn't everything his way. The supporting cast also offers up good performances from Bradford Dillman, John Mitchum, Albert Popwell and Harry Guardino.

THE ENFORCER contains all the elements that made the first two films great entertainment. Of course you get a pretty simple story of good versus evil but what makes it so well here is how it's set up. The opening sequence is downright violent and the cold-blooded nature of this group just makes you hate them to the point where you can't wait to see Harry get revenge. The film also offers up some pretty exciting action sequences including one of the great foot chases ever captured. Add in the top-notch cinematography and the great jazz score and THE ENFORCER is another success.

This is the third entry in Harry Callahan's popular series , the first is the classic ¨Dirty Harry ¨(1971) by Don Siegel , the second is ¨Magnum Force¨ by Ted Post . This time has a female partner ( Tyne Daly ) who is assigned when his ordinary pal ( John Mitchum ) is wounded . And they try to track down some dangerous terrorists ( Michael Cavanagh , Veren , among others ). Then the terrorists hijack the Mayor ( John Crawford ) of City San Francisco . As always , two-fisted Callahan , the tall and taciturn inspector utilizing his Magnum 44 pistol kills the baddies. Rock-hard cop Harry abuses the murderer's civil rights , however facing his superiors , a captain(Bradford Dillman) and a Lieutenant ( Harry Guardino ) . Rule-breaking Callahan strides grimly throughout San Francisco in pursuit the murderous , including an exciting final on Island-prison of Alcatraz.

Formula thriller plenty of action , crisply edition , tension, suspenseful and lots of violence . Appropriate and atmospheric musical score by Jerry Fielding . Less effective than ¨Dirty Harry¨ but still gripping and stirring . Colorful and adequate cinematography , reflecting splendidly the streets of San Francisco , habitual scenario of the series . The motion picture is professionally directed by James Fargo who also made other vehicles for Eastwod ( Every which way but loose ) and for Chuck Norris ( Forced vengeance ) . Followed by ¨Sudden impact¨ with Sandra Locke and ¨Dead pool¨ with Liam Neeson . Rating : Good, 6,5 . Well worth seeing for Clint Eastwood fans and Harry Callahan's followers . It's a cool companion to Dirty Harry classic, an amusing film with several scenes that'll have you on the edge of your seat.

Second sequel to Dirty Harry has Harry (Clint Eastwood) trying to stop a terrorist group. But due to departmental quotas, Harry's been forced to take on a female cop (Tyne Daly) as his new partner. This doesn't sit well with everyone's favorite politically incorrect cop. But the new partner proves herself and the two surprisingly work well together. I loved the chemistry between Eastwood and Daly. This is my favorite of all the sequels in this series. It has a lot of humor, a good pace, and solid action. It also has the best script outside of the first movie. This was a good series. If you're new to Dirty Harry, definitely watch them in order because the '80s ones, while not bad, don't have the same appeal as the first three.

For me the sequels to "Dirty Harry" never came close topping the original, but I thoroughly enjoyed and think highly of them anyway... well maybe with the exception of "The Dead Pool". Each one seemed to add its own distinguishable touch to the typical formula. The third film (and probably the cheapest, as it looks like it) of the series 'The Enforcer' seemed to have that swinging and carefree vibe of the times, with the biting reality and stark realisations (heavily implemented in the first two) taking a backseat for forceful (if crass) humour. However the violence is still gritty, mean, explosive and openly displayed. Director James Fargo ('Forced Vengeance', 'Every Which Way But Loose', 'Caravans' and 'A Game for Vultures') has appeared in some of Eastwood's early films as assistant director, and here he paces it well-enough and let's the foundation play out more like an expansive low-key action fling filled with the constant buddy routines (as Harry is paired up with a young green-horn female detective fidgety played by Tyne Daly. Who does bring an authentic and potent side to her role) that are credibly developed, long-winded build-ups finishing off with brute force and the quick-witted response. Harry also has got a catch-phrase… just 'marvellous'.

Eastwood laconically pulls it off with dominant ease and certain authority of truly delving into this character (as now there's more to that monomaniacal search for one's own justice), as his hands out punishment (against a bunch of terrorists who call themselves 'The People's Revolutionary') and has time to let fly what he really thinks. Copping the cynical barbs are amusing support performances by Harry Guardino, John Crawford and Bradford Dillman. The bad guys here aren't overly memorable, but the DeVeren Bookwalter bestows a steely glance and has a quietly dangerous psychotic air to him. Showing up again, but in another different character is the wonderful Albert Popwell.

I never tire of the San Francisco locations (where most of the films are shot), and the camera superbly details the on-screen action and striking background features. What I like about the ending of these earlier 'Dirty Harry' films, was how they weren't afraid to end on such an powerful note involving something represented visually to express the mindset, as the camera slowly zooms out and the harrowing score cues in. On the point about the music. I would say I was a little put off by the racy and bouncy jazz score arrangement of composer Jerry Fielding (who by-the-way has done some magnificent scores for films of Sam Peckinpah, Michael Winner and Clint Eastwood) just didn't have the stinging, sombre and self-reflecting quality of Lalo Schifrin's efforts. That's not to say it was bad or felt out of place, because it didn't with the feel that this one opted for. But a darker or more subtle take could've done it wonders since Fielding has chalked up some jarringly bold pieces in other films.

The script has some political context (home-grown terrorism, political correctness and equal-gender opportunity), but always stays true to the story than trying to undermine or overdo it. While it should be predictable, it does keep one step ahead and offers a surprise or two.

An up-to-par sequel.