Amazon.com reviews for
Magnum Force (1973) More at IMDbPro »

Clint Eastwood (5pc) (vhs):

Amazon.com video review: Five--count 'em, five--chances to wallow in the shoot-first, ask-questions-later ethos of San Francisco cop Harry Callahan, who became a signature character for actor Clint Eastwood. The first one, Dirty Harry, is the best, a Don Siegel film in which Harry flouts rules about police brutality to capture a serial killer. In Magnum Force he tracks rogue cops and utters his "Do you feel lucky, punk?" speech. In The Enforcer he gets a female partner (future Cagney and Lacy star Tyne Daly). Sudden Impact featured him tracking a female serial killer and offered a new catch phrase: "Go ahead. Make my day." And The Dead Pool, aside from offering a smart little chase involving a radio-controlled model car, brought him face to face with Liam Neeson. You can't ask for much more firepower in one box than this. --Marshall Fine

Magnum Force (vhs):

Amazon.com video review: This first sequel to Dirty Harry was written by a couple of strong voices, writer-directors Michael Cimino (The Deer Hunter) and John Milius (Farewell to the King). But that doesn't mean the film is particularly good. After Don Siegel's ferociously dark style in the first movie, Ted Post's blocky, television-ish direction in Magnum Force is a huge letdown. The story doesn't win any prizes, either. Eastwood's San Francisco detective Harry Callahan (apparently having retrieved his badge after throwing it away at the end of Dirty Harry) takes on a vigilante squad within the city's police force. David Soul is pretty convincing as the major spokesman for these right-wing avengers. Eastwood, on the other hand, had already turned Callahan from fascinating outsider in Siegel's film to purveyor of tough-guy shtick in this one. --Tom Keogh