Rating: 
Summary: Knowing your limitations
Review: I consider 'Magnum Force' to be one of the better entries in the 'Dirty Harry' canon- the concept of our beloved anti-hero actually defending the system he doesn't always care for against a ruthless group of rogue vigilante cops appealed to me. Oh yeah, and a good amount of head-shots didn't hurt, either. However, there was one drawback about the second DH movie: it looked too much like a TV episode, rather than a big-screen adventure. Kinda like an outtake reel from 'The Streets of San Francisco' show or something. But, when this sequel finally came out on DVD, I was amazed by how much cleaner and sharper the picture quality was compared to my VHS tape of it! The too-televisiony complaint I once had regarding MF has been made moot to a great degree by the WB's wonderful job of picture cleanup and transfer to the digital format! Now if the studio would finally use plastic rather than cardboard cases to store the DVDs in, I'd be even more ecstatic!Although the entire run of DH mo-pics features at least one notable future TV/movie star, this particular outing probably had more than most. Alongside veteran TV/film actor Hal Holbrook, there's also David Soul ("Starsky & Hutch"), Robert Urich ("Vega$"), and even the momentary appearance of a topless (boo-yah!) Suzanne Somers jumping up & down in a swimming pool-- right before meeting her doom at the hands of one of the vigilante fuzz. Sheesh, do those guys know how to put a damper on another guy's good time or what! Also included among the notable thespians is Albert Popwell, who's playing his second character in the 'Dirty Harry' flicks (the pimp), and would go on to play two more in the next couple. Also notable in MF are a few bloopers & not-so-special effects. The scene where Harry's taking apart the apartment complex mailbox to remove a bomb features a brief shadow of one of the mike operators, right on the staircase wall after the one disgruntled resident says that he doesn't want to get involved. As a matter of fact, you can see the crew member who casts the shadow in the included behind-the-scenes mini-doc when they're shooting this particular moment. Also, the dummy standing in for the nude, coked-up blonde chick that plunges twenty stories looks less than convincing. If ever there was a scene that needed a bit of modern-day CGI correction, this particular moment is it! 'Late!
Rating: 
Summary: Decent, but it won't quite blow your head clean off.
Review: Magnum Force (1973) the first of four Dirty Harry sequels is a film, action movie/ Eastwood junkies will appreciate a great deal. It softens Dirty Harry's character however and actually makes more political type statements regarding how criminals often have more rights in the legal system than crime victims do --than the original Dirty Harry ever did. It makes sure the audience understands that Dirty Harry Callahan is a rogue lone wolf cop who breaks rules but he is not a vigilante who takes the law completely into his own hands. He's a hero and his flaws say the movie are completely acceptable. In Magnum Force, Harry is back on the force and fighting with a new superior who he makes very nervous. Harry discovers that a team of police officers have turned into a small hit squad and they are knocking off pimps, drug dealers and assorted criminals whenever possible. They figure Harry would approve of what they are doing and even join them. When Harry has a problem with what they are doing... they have a problem with Harry. Get the picture?
There's a lot more dialogue concerning weapons and the former most powerful handgun in the world the 44 magnum. The script is partially written by John Millius and Michael Cimino and you can tell. Ted Post directed and he doesn't bring the style or skill that Siegel brought to the first one, but he keeps things moving at a brisk efficient pace. Hal Holbrook was excited to be part of the film because he knew lots of people would go see it. David Soul and Robert Uhrick also make early career appearances here. It's not a great genre film but it mostly holds up pretty well and is entertaining. Look fast for Suzanne Somers during the pool party scene. DVD STUFF Nearly all of the films in the new Dirty Harry Collection of DVD's are presented in Anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen Most of the 5 Dirty Harry films recently released are presented at their best with colors vibrant, black levels strong and few technical problems present. All of the Harry films have been given a complete audio over-haul and the engineers have done a superb job on all the films for their latest NOVEMBER 2001 release. The older films in particular have been improved a great deal with a very well done sound re-design. I suspect some re-recording of some foley type effects took place because some of the sound effects sound utterly free from distortion which you would expect to crop up in loud sound effects from 30 years ago. All of the films have a Dolby 5.1. track that has been masterfully presented. Dialogue is easy to hear, and the sound effects
And music effectively use the surround capabilities of all the speakers without over-doing it . DVD Extras: Magnum Force gets the 8 minute featurette entitled The Hero Cop: Yesterday and Today and was made as part of the promotional campaign for film in 1973. It has some behind the scene snippets of Ted Post directing Eastwood. The original trailer is not in very good shape on this one. 3 and a half stars... 4 if you love Dirty Harry or Eastwood. Christopher Jarmick, is the author of The Glass Cocoon with Serena F. Holder a critically acclaimed, steamy suspense
Rating:
Summary: Eastwood's take on Harry my personal favorite.
Review: Magnum Force was the first Dirty Harry movie I saw, so it remains my personal favorite. Although not quite reaching the artistic levels of Seigel's film, nonetheless the movie works as a vicious action thriller. Dirty Harry Callahan, despite being on loan to stakeout, sticks his nose into the murder investigation of a local mafioso. What he uncovers is disturbing evidence pointing to an elite vigilante squad of assassins working inside the SFPD. Eastwood and Seigel reportedly argued about Harry's character during the making of the first film. Director Seigel saw Harry as a burned out fascist bigot while star/producer Eastwood saw him as a loner hero in the Man With No Name mold. The throwing away of the badge was a particular bone of contention as Eastwood DID NOT want that to happen. That more Harry film's were produced is proof positive of that. Magnum Force offers viewers a look at Dirty Harry as seen exclusively by Eastwood. The character is noble and heroic, not the least bit encumbered by the rage and disillusionment of Seigel's character. As with Dirty Harry, Magnum Force chose actual events (Brazilian Death Squads and San Francisco's own Vigilante Squad) as a basis for its somewhat far fetched story (Harry can single handedly foil an airline hijacking with no political or media fallout whatsoever?). The result is brisk and entertaining for both Eastwood and Rouge Cop movie fans. Recommended, especially in the widescreen format.
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as the first
Review: It is true that no other Dirty Harry sequel is better than the first but this would have to be the second best. Harry is back and this time he is taking on motorcycle cops who want to rid the city of crime even more than Harry Callahan, but they break the law in order to get results. This movie has a lot more action than the first and is more brutal, but it doesn't have the drama of the first one. This movie would be excellent for anyone who likes a good shoot'em up action movie. Also for movie score buffs, check out the music in the opening credits, pretty jazzy stuff by Lalo Schifrin.
Rating: 
Summary: Dirty Harry 2 is a great sequel
Review: It is rare that a sequel is as good or better than an original but in our second episode of Dirty Harry "Magnum Force", the movie holds up. I wouldn't say it's better than the first one but it moves faster. There's less dead end subplots because Harrys character has been established. We now know why everybody calls him Dirty Harry? This was asked time after time in the first movie. Clint Eastwood now battles a surly superior Lt.Briggs (Holbrook) who takes Harry off homiside because he believes Harry's a loose cannon. Problem with Briggs is the viewer doesn't like him, nor should they. An early scene may fool you as to who is doing all the killing of the criminals in San Francisco.The movie is well written but Dirty Harry doesn't seem so Dirty as he is almost emotionally overwhelmed and vulnerable as a friend becomes insane and then murdered. Harry is also bewildered at who the villan(s) are. A real Dirty Harry Ending wins back his tough as nails character. Not technically shot as well as the first one but the script is better written. Many actors of the late 70's and 80's get they're start here. David Soul, Robert Urich and Tim Matheson have principal roles. Magnum Force after Dirty Harry is a must see!
Rating:
Summary: An Action Packed Movie!
Review: This was one of the movies from the action packed "Dirty Harry" movies starring our perennial hero Clint Eastwood. In this movie a group of policemen decide to take the law into their own hands. Numerous individuals from the crime world of San Francisco are executed by this vigilant squad. After investigations by Dirty Harry he finally figures out who is behind the vigilante efforts. Dirty Harry and the vigilante policemen have a final showdown with guns blazing. This was another good installment to the Dirty Harry movies. This was also exciting as were the other Dirty Harry movies. This movie was both entertaining and exciting. Be sure to see it.
Rating:
Summary: Eastwood Is Back in Full Force
Review: A sequel has got to know its limitations. Magnum Force (1973) cannot match the original in terms of acting and emotional impact. But in terms of plot scenerios, Magnum Force holds all the cards. In all the other DIRTY HARRY films, Harry Callahan battles murderers who are acknowledged to be criminals. In Magnum Force, Callahan battles police officers. But these cops do not exactly believe in the Bill of Rights. Neither does Harry, really, but these cops murder without warning with brutal, unexpected force. Magnum Force was produced in response to the harsh criticism of Clint Eastwood's character, Harry Callahan. The film shows that Harry knows when to draw the line. It also makes the attempt to redeem him, giving Eastwood such lines as "I didn't start shooting at anybody who wasn't trying to kill me first." When the vigilante cops confront him and state their reason for murdering as the only solution to beat the "system" ("You above all people should understand that"), Callahan replies "I'm afraid you've misjudged me." It was not only a message to the cops, but to the critics as well. As for the cast, Hal Holbrook does a great job as the slimy captain Briggs. But David Soul as the most murderous of the magnum force could have made his character's personality more dislikable and nasty. Instead, his character is more like a set of functions than as a genuinely evil man. Magnum Force is the most violent DIRTY HARRY film, despite being made in 1973. Director Ted Post began 2 of his vigilante cops' killing scenes with excessive nudity, then BANG-BANG violence when the cops burst in. Magnum Force is also a bit overlong (125 minutes), mainly because of its subplots and the magnum force's excessive killing sprees. Eastwood seems crowded. Ultimately, Magnum Force came too soon and with a little improvements, would have made a great final film in the series (unlike THE DEAD POOL). Rated R for violence, nudity, sexual situations, and strong language. Followed three years later by the inferior THE ENFORCER.
Rating:
Summary: Dirty Harry faces off against his own
Review: Clint Eastwood returns for his second go round as iconoclastic "Dirty" Harry Callahan. Criminals the courts can't seem to touch are turning up dead, and Harry's superiors put the blame on organized crime. But Harry's trail leads to the police department itself-four rookie cops who share Harry's hatred for street scum, and they mistaking assume that they have his support. When Harry declines to join them, he finds that he is their next target. Harry comes off as more mellow and restrained in this installment, and his antagonists (young up and comers David Soul, Tim Matheson, Kip Niven, and Robert Urich) don't really get the audience whipped up with hatred. Intiguing vehicle for Eastwood, but "Hang 'Em High" director Ted Post could have tightened up the midsection, and Clint really isn't offered any great dialogue like in the original film. But Clint Eastwood is reason enough to enjoy this film, and there are some exciting action scenes. Watch for Suzanne Somers as a gangster's moll when a corrupt cop crashes a pool party.
Rating:
Summary: Dirty Harry is Back!
Review: Magnum Force was the first of the four sequels to Dirty Harry. In this film Clint Eastwood's Harry Callahan is trying to figure out who is knocking off all of San Fransico's local criminals. Throughout the picture the criminals are show being killed my men dressed as police officers, so the only real question is when will they be caught, and when they are, are they cops or not. This movie is non-stop action. When he is not on the case Harry always seems to find himself in the right place(or wrong place) when a random crime is happening. These incidents along with his detective work and brutal resolve lead to a very intertaining picture. Director Ted Post keeps the action coming unlike the first Dirty Harry which has a slower pace. Clint Eastwood is again fantastic in the role it seems he was born to play. Go ahead "make his day."
Rating:
Summary: Actually better then the first
Review: Yes, I thought this was a better film than the first one. It has a better plot, rather than the same old cop vs. killer, this is cop vs. cop(s). A Rouge team of cops are killing off the worst of the worst criminals, Hary agrees with the idea, but not tha actions off these cops.
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