Death Wish V - The Face of Death (1994)

Drifting as far from Michael Winner's original and interesting 1974 Death Wish as possible, this belated sequel in an often ugly series is nevertheless a harmless, fairly conventional thriller featuring a watchable cast. After his life of loss and misery at the hands of criminals, vigilante Paul Kersey is ready to settle down in romantic bliss with a fashion designer named Olivia (Lesley-Anne Down). Unfortunately, the lady happens to be the target of her mobster ex-husband (Michael Parks), who has a tight grip on New York's garment district. Disfigured and finally murdered by her former spouse, Olivia is avenged in very creative ways by Paul, who resorts to such esoterica as using a remote-controlled soccer ball to deliver an explosive punishment. Bronson largely phones it in for this potboiler, though even in the winter of his life he can look quite compelling in his stoic way. Helping to keep things interesting is Parks's kinky cruelty and Saul Rubinek's vaguely bemused performance as a well-meaning prosecutor. --Tom Keogh Amazon.com

A new direction, a new approach, and a 90s feel to close out the DW franchise.

With this final entry into the Death Wish series, we find Charles Bronson in ....well....yet another situation that requires him to break out the big guns, or perhaps the poisoned cannolis and exploding soccer balls. Paul Kersey has relocated (AGAIN) to New York, this time happily engaged to fashion designer Olivia Regent (Leslie-Ann Down), but things can't stay happy for long as long as ex-husband and mobster Tommy O'Shea and his henchmen are around. O'Shea and his cronies run a protection racket in the clothing warehouse where Regent works, and the manager and some workers end up being brutalized and ultimately killed after they show signs of working with the police to take down the organization. Regent is eventually beaten up and later killed for the same reasons, which spurs our main man into action once more.

Far and away this is the most professional-looking and serious of the Death Wish sequels. While Death Wish 2 went the route of extreme bloody violence, rape, and probably the eeriest vibe of any movie I've ever watched, and Death Wish 3 and 4 went the route of hilariously-campy 80s action fare, Death Wish 5 goes for a different feel which is lent by a marvelous soundtrack and a fresh direction from director Allan Goldstein. Some people complained that Bronson barely uses guns in the movies (instead relying on booby traps, poisoned food, explosives, etc.) but it all makes for an extremely unique approach and makes it all the more entertaining. Bronson is just as awesome in this flick as any of the others in the series, and his Bronsonian vendetta just as satisfying.

In short, a perfect way to finish up one of the greatest b-movie series ever made. Charles Bronson is an absolute legend and will be greatly missed, but at least we can enjoy his cinematic output even while he has left us. August 11, 2008

Thanks For the Last Great Film Mr. Bronson

I'm at a point in my life where watching movies like this goes against my nature. But that said, this final chapter in the "Death Wish" series was not only a great conclusion, but it was a great way for Mr. Bronson to finish his acting work. (According to my research, this was the last film Charles Bronson made.) In earlier "Death Wish" movies, Bronson's role as Paul Kersey was limited to revenge and shooting down thugs of a low nature. "Death Wish V" seems to have overcome the problems of the previous chapters. Paul Kersey is at a point where he has fallen in love with a woman and just wants to live the rest of his life in peace. However, he realizes that the woman in his life (Lesley Anne Down) has a past with a mobster Tommy O'Shea that she can't sever. One really memorable comment from Bronson is: "Guns have their uses. Idiots with guns make me nervous." (A real proverb!) To make a long story short, Down is killed because she plans to testify against her x husband O'Shea. While earlier DW movies focused on revenge, Part V takes it to the next levels. While revenge is certainly part of Bronson's motive, he underlines that it is not just about revenge. He emphasizes that these mobsters go around just doing what they want and ruining the lives of people who are just trying to live honest lives. Part V also indicates that just because someone has a title or position in the justice system, that does NOT automatically mean you can trust them. I know some people knocked this 5th chapter for Bronson's unusually strategic methods. But it really made a lot of sense. To be sure, at this point in time, Bronson was in good shape for someone in his 70s. But remember, in this chapter, he is fighting organized crime. (Not just gunning down street thugs.) He is fighting more intelligent and able opponents who have actually been able to manipulate the justice system.) There is an unusual suspense and creepiness to this final chapter. While the 1st 4 chapters had an urban feeling, Part 5 has a chilling Gothic feel. As the Irish Mafia Boss, Tommy O'Shea is really evil. But he carries a charm that makes it almost impossible not to like him in a way. (Especially when he almost seems grateful to his opponent Bronson for taking down his annoying inside man in the justice system.) While any "Death Wish" fan will probably be able to guess the outcome of this movie, there is a great artistic and creepy suspense that we didn't have in previous chapters. While Part 4 kind of had an unsatisfying and morose end, the phenomenal Part 5 ends Mr. Bronson's work on a satisfying and artistic note. Enjoy your everlasting peace Mr. Bronson. May 28, 2008

I will take care of that dandruff problem for ya!

Its a little long winded but a pretty good finale to the bronson series. Love charlie! Rest In Peace. Id rent it first for real bronson fans only! April 7, 2008

Kersey's final bow

There's not a lot to say about this, the fifth and final "Death Wish". It's not too out of the ordinary for the series except that it's quite obviously very low budget, resulting in an odd fading-out visual quality. Story-wise it's what we expect and Bronson is his usual grand old self. It's difficult to be too harsh on this one because it would be the last time we'd see the character and the last time Charles Bronson would appear in a theatrical feature. All he would do for the remainder of his life would be TV films.
The last scene is very memorable and a few kills are unique. This is good entertainment, nothing more or less than that. March 31, 2008

excellent bronson

classic bronson recaps his series in this movie as a skilled and resourceful equalizer of justice...filled with fun 70s flash, bronson knows how to kick a... March 12, 2008

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