Rating: 
Summary: The Game's A Foot
Review: "The Dead Pool" is about a killer who is bumping off San Francisco area celebrities according to their apperence on a dead pool. That is a game in which people get together and determin who will die in the next year. At the end of the year the person with the most dead people is the winner. The problem is that 'Dirty' Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) is also on the list. Suddenly the killer has the tables turned on him when Callahan makes his own dead pool, and puts him on it. The final sequel to Clint Eastwood's star making film is not that bad a movie. Now, however, 'Dirty' Harry is being played for humor and just to cash a check (although making this movie made it possible for Eastwood to finance the wonderful bio-pic "Bird" and his de-mythized western "Unforgivin"). this is probably the largest name cast in any of the "Dirty Harry", even if it was of the 'before they were famous' variety. Jim Carry is most noticable as drug addicted prima donna star killed of an overdose. Liam Nieson is around as the arrogent director and cheif suspect in the murders. Patricia Clarkson plays the typical love interest, this was before she made a name for herself as an indi queen (and I mean that sincerly, she is a great actress). But my favorite was the inclusion of Guns 'N Roses in the sound track and they have cameos in the film (look for them on the boat scene and at the funeral). The main two gripes I have at this movie is one, it dose not have a very serious tone or atmosphere; usually I do not mind, but it just seemed too self conscience for it's own good (the car chase through the hills of San Francisco, for one thing). Number two is the killer. He just comes from out of nowhere, never introduced earlier until the end of the movie. But otherwise i is a worthy ending to a good (though uneven) series.
Rating: 
Summary: Do You Have Any Kids? Lucky For Them
Review: All the Dirty Harry movies in my opinion were cult classics. This one was good, but didn't grab me quite as much as the rest. There still were a few good one-liners in it.
Rating:
Summary: Great Ending to a Great Character
Review: Clint Eastwood appears for the last time as Dirty Harry. Here he is on a list of dead celebrities, and doesnot want the attention. Watch for Jim Carrey(going under the name of James Carrey) As the first killed celebrity. Carrey appeared in one more Eastwood movie. And Liam Neeson during his supporting role days.
Rating: 
Summary: Eastwood, Alone, Earns that Second Star...
Review: Clint Eastwood suits up for his fifth appearance as San Francisco Homicide Detective "Dirty Harry" Callahan, in this final installment of the popular action/crime series that began in 1972. Those involved with any successful franchise, of course, are usually able to discern when the game has been played out and the end is nigh, and audiences can sense it, too; and at that juncture, it is not out of character for those on either side of the coin to expect something special for that final exit-- a last, grand hurrah, as it were. And sometimes, it works; T.V.'s "Seinfeld," for example, did it right. On the other hand, after the final season of "Remington Steele," it was obvious even to the casual observer that it was allowed to go on one season too many. And, unfortunately, "The Dead Pool," directed by Buddy Van Horn, falls into the latter category. Since it first hit the big screen in 1988, to the present, even after years of video shelf life, it's obvious that this fifth offering of the "Dirty Harry" chronicles was just one too many.Harry Callahan (Eastwood), after being instrumental in putting away a particularly notorious crime boss, has become something of a "media" star, and the department, naturally, wants to capitalize on some good press. But Harry, naturally, wants no part of it; the last thing he cares about is an "image" or a "profile." In any event, there's real work to be done-- during a murder investigation on a movie set, he's uncovered evidence of a potentially deadly game that's being played in certain circles. Each of the players has their own list of high profile "celebrities" from all walks of life, and the winner of the game is the one whose celebrities expire first, from natural causes-- or otherwise. It's a so-called "Dead Pool," and even more disconcerting to Harry is the fact that his name is on the list. If there is such a thing as a "sure thing," it would be the next sequel in an already successful series like this one. Right out of the chute, it has all of the required elements that spell success: One of the most popular actors in the history of the movies (assuring a huge box-office) recreating an established character that has become an icon of the silver screen. But somebody should have reminded the filmmakers that there would be some legitimately high expectations for this one. Unfortunately, these "filmmakers" were thinking with their wallets rather than their brains going into this project. And it shows. One of the major problems is the story itself, credited to Durk Pearson, Sandy Shakioucus and Steve Sharon, with screenplay credit going to Sharon, alone. It's no surprise that this is the only writing credit on their individual resumes. What is a surprise, is that Harry Julian Fink and Rita M. Fink, responsible for the character development in all five "Harry" films (Rita M., in fact, did the polished and incisive screenplay for the original "Dirty Harry"), allowed themselves to be credited on this one at all. This story/plot (such as it is) is weak to begin with, and more over, it's badly written. Add to that the fact that they've entirely abandoned any and all of the nuances that added so much to the previous "Harry" films: The snappy, expected banter between Harry and his superiors, that so succinctly puts Harry's iconoclastic philosophies into perspective while revealing the inept and illogical bureaucratic leanings of the department, for example (here, in fact, Harry's "superiors" have become little more than caricatures of those who preceded them); and their attempt at a catch phrase that would define this particular "Harry" adventure is so anemic it's not worth mentioning here (suffice to say there is nothing even close to a "You have to ask yourself a question, 'do I feel lucky?'" or a "Go ahead, make my day--"). And it's a shame. Additionally, this film suffers from absolutely dreadful casting. Liam Neeson, as director Peter Swann, is barely tolerable; Patricia Clarkson lacks the spunk, looks and charisma needed to bring reporter Samantha Walker to life; Michael Currie, as Captain Donnelly, and Michael Goodwin, as Lt. Ackerman are laughably ineffective; Evan C. Kim, as Harry's new partner, Al Quan, shouldn't have made it past the audition; and David Hunt, as Harlan Rook, is the Woody Allen of cinematic psycho killers. Rarely will you find a big-budget film that is so miscast. The fate of this film was decided, however, when stuntman Buddy Van Horn was slipped into the director's chair. Don Siegel, Ted Post and James Fargo were successful with the first three of the series, and Eastwood himself directed and made "Sudden Impact" a success. And he should have continued on in that capacity for this film. Van Horn may be a stuntman's stuntman, but being as objective as possible, he simply did not know how to make this material work. Drawing upon his roots, apparently, the best he could muster was to stage an ersatz "Bullitt" car chase involving a remote controlled toy car, including restaging (intentionally??) the famous Bullitt "spin-out" into the camera-- with the toy car! Van Horn's real failure, however, is manifested in the way he treats his characters as if they are nothing more than objects around which he can stage his action. The film lacks any tension or suspense whatsoever, and he creates about as much menace in his "psycho killer" as Bo Peep had amongst her sheep. And while Eastwood's performance is the high note of the film, Van Horn could have done more to keep his star on task; Callahan is not nearly as "enthusiastic" here, compared to his previous outings. In the final analysis, the most interesting aspect of "The Dead Pool," is seeing Jim Carrey (billed as "James") in one of his first performances of note, as rock star Johnny Squares. Aside from that, this one just doesn't have the magic.
Rating:
Summary: Dirty Harry Delivers In Well Made Thriller
Review: Eastwood In his fifth and final performence as Inspector `Dirty` Harry Callahan plays with rugged style and effiecently that makes this film one of the standouts in the series. After putting away a mobster behind bars Callahan becomes a media hero and at the same time his name is put on a sick twisted list called The Dead Pool a list of celebrities all predicted to die withen a year things get out of control when a psychotic film buff takes this list serousley and starts killing them one by one. Straight forward action all the way and Eastwood`s strong presence is put to better use here then the previous Dirty Harry film SUDDEN IMPACT. The highlight of the film was the remote controled bomb car tailing Callahan Throught San Fransisco I Highly doubt a little toy care can go that far. Otherwise a fitting end to a long running series.
Rating:
Summary: The Dead Pool
Review: First of all, I want you to know that I wrote reviews for Dirty Harry 1-4. The fourth sequel to the 1971 Don Siegel action thriller is not too bad. There are many action scences that I find appealing. Eastwood is great in this Dirty Harry movie.
Rating:
Summary: The final "Dirty Harry" goes out with a bang
Review: Fourth sequel to 1971's "Dirty Harry" has Harry tracking a psycho whose celebrity "death list" includes himself - and all the other celebrities listed with him are dropping dead. He now has a competent Chinese-American partner (Evan C. Kim) and the attentions of a pushy reporter (Patricia Clarkson) who wants his story - fame and publicity for her if he suddenly dies. That's probably why he won't give it to her. He's also dodging bullets from the henchmen of a mob boss he put away. Busy guy. More fun than "Sudden Impact", which was often unpleasant and didn't really feel like a "Dirty Harry" anyway. Check out Jim Carrey as a junkie rock star who mimes to Guns'n Roses. This is the only "Dirty Harry" movie where Albert Popwell doesn't appear; in each of the previous four films he plays a different character each time. Harry has some great dialogue here and this is a fine wrap up for the series.
Rating:
Summary: The final "Dirty Harry" goes out with a bang
Review: Fourth sequel to 1971's "Dirty Harry" has Harry tracking a psycho whose celebrity "death list" includes himself - and all the other celebrities listed with him are dropping dead. He now has a competent Chinese-American partner (Evan C. Kim) and the attentions of a pushy reporter (Patricia Clarkson) who wants his story - fame and publicity for her if he suddenly dies. That's probably why he won't give it to her. He's also dodging bullets from the henchmen of a mob boss he put away. Busy guy. More fun than "Sudden Impact", which was often unpleasant and didn't really feel like a "Dirty Harry" anyway. Check out Jim Carrey as a junkie rock star who mimes to Guns'n Roses. This is the only "Dirty Harry" movie where Albert Popwell doesn't appear; in each of the previous four films he plays a different character each time. Harry has some great dialogue here and this is a fine wrap up for the series.
Rating:
Summary: Good action movie
Review: I caught this because I ADORE Liam Neeson and heard he played a fairly significant role, but expected to be fast-forwarding through most of it. Instead I found a good, sometimes witty action movie that was generally good, with a few dull spots. The creepy, druggie star of a ripoff Exorcist music video is suddenly murdered, and among the pieces of evidence is a gambling sheet predicting which celebrities are going to die before the year is up--and director Peter Swan's sheet has the dead man's name on it. What ensues is a twisty little journey that includes fuzzy slippers, a nosy reporter, a hysterical girlfriend, a camera accident, and a remote-controlled car. Eastwood does his usual understatedly excellent job, and his sidekick is a gem! Liam Neeson plays the obnoxious, up-yours Peter Swan, who apparently believes that the entire world was created for the sole purpose of annoying him. Even casual Neesonites should see this--you'll love it! The last of the "Dirty Harry" movies show that they are still a guilty pleasure.
Rating: 
Summary: Wanting on DVD
Review: I saw this movie on an accident, but I loved it. The company needs to put it out on dvd soon. I can't wait.
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