Opinion on Dirty Harry (1971) and related work
- Sequel: Magnum Force (1973)
- Sequel: The Enforcer (1976)
- Sequel: Sudden Impact (1983)
- Sequel: The Dead Pool (1988)
Dirty Harry (1971
)
‣ Magnum Force (1973)
Probably the franchise’s best underlying concept, but the ideological conflict is a wasted opportunity to craft a more interesting philosophy for Harry. Without such underpinnings, the whole thing is doomed to stay at the level of unfocused gun-nut badassery, unwilling even to go the distance into Hard-Boiled (1992) territory.
‣ The Enforcer (1976)
Some great facial expressions on Harry. Alas, the showdown is moronically explosive. There’s a surprisingly good bummer ending after that; society folds easily and the good die young. Classic conservative fears.