Movie Review: Magnum Force (1973)

This is a solid sequel, but it’s definitely no Dirty Harry. It’s directed by Ted Post, who in addition to directing a few episodes of The Twilight Zone that I’ve already covered, worked with star Clint Eastwood on both the series Rawhide and the western film Hang ’em High. Post is just fine, but he’s no Don Siegel.

The movie’s not too interested in the Harry Callahan character, as it’s far more interested in the gun he wields. That’s evident not just in the title, but in the opening credits sequence.

It’s too bad because I think that’s what really holds it back. It’s still a good action movie, but it doesn’t have the interesting moral questions that elevated Dirty Harry and made it one of the best action movies of all time.

Eastwood as Callahan is still a badass, of course.

That would remain consistent with the lesser movies in the series. Even when the movies aren’t all that great, Eastwood is still remarkably watchable.

Rating: 7/10