Magnum Force

The first sequel to "Dirty Harry," is an involving story that grabs you right from the start and keeps you interested for the full two hours. In this one, "Harry" (Clint Eastwood) goes up against cops-turned-vigilantes. It's interesting to see two of those young policemen who went on to stardom on TV: David Soul and Robert Urich. However, I don't recall Urich uttering one line! Hal Holbrook, meanwhile, was convincing as the bad guy-lieutenant. The climactic scene was a little hokey: all kinds of car chases and shootouts in the streets but no one else around! Where was everyone? Have you ever noticed how many times that happens in movies. All kinds of strange and loud things happen on the road but at that particular time - even in the middle of the day - no one else is on the road. Oh well. All these 'Dirty Harry' movies are entertaining nonetheless.

I sometimes wonder if "Magnum Force" is a better movie than "Dirty Harry." In the latter, Harry Calahan is up against a psycho causing panic, while in "Magnum Force" Harry opposes a number of enemies: enemies he would not have expected at first. Crime is still on the rise, there is too much corruption and too few 'real' cops, like him. When he meets some young, aspiring cops he is amazed by their qualities. Great acting by Clint Eastwood who is just perfect in playing the old-fashioned Harry Callahan. There is violence, but the strange thing is you support Callahan in 'cleaning' the city. One of the best in the Dirty Harry-series.

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.