Sudden Impact (1983)

The Best of the Sequels

Sudden Impact is by far the best of the four sequels to the classic Dirty Harry (1971). This is one of the most lurid stories in the series, has good pacing, uniformly good acting, great camera work, and ample violence. One reason for this film's superiority is because Eastwood himself directed it. Dirty Harry Callahan is at his scowling, glaring best because Eastwood knows what to do AND gets to decide how to do it. This one also has some of the best one-liners in the series. It brings back the classic Dirty Harry we all know and love, and adds a couple of new items, such as a new dog, and, more importantly, a new gun (not that it needed replacing) for the new decade: the 44 auto mag! The most memorable shot in the whole film is Eastwood stalking the few remaining bad guys at the carnival grounds, towards the end. He walks in front of a bright light that silhouettes him nonchallantly holding the enormous handgun at his side. The psycho rapist villain, Mick, played by Paul Drake in an incredibly over the top performance, absolutely freaks out. Overall, this is the second strongest entry in the 5 film series, the original Dirty Harry being the best. April 2, 2008

Eastwood and Locke together in average Dirty Harry flick, nice Deluxe Edition, details here

Sudden Impact is the third sequel to Dirty Harry. It inspires very mixed reactions, but it's still Clint Eastwood in a classic role, this time with Sondra Locke, his partner in several films and off-screen. Some people hate Locke, but I think she's good with Eastwood. (I liked them even more in the Dirty Harryish Gauntlet and the very un-Dirty-Harry Bronco Billy.)

In this installment, maverick tough cop Harry Callahan is on forced leave for being his usual trouble-making self while getting the bad guys, but still finds himself in the middle of a string of murders. As in a couple of the others in the series, this movie includes a story line where extralegal justice is an issue, as Locke's damaged rape victim seeks revenge. With the usual action, shootings, and a high level of violence, with women getting their share.

This one is the source of the famous quote, "Go ahead, make my day." It was directed by Eastwood.

Whether those with the older DVD will want to upgrade is a matter of personal preference, but the special features look attractive to me:

-- new commentary by filmmaker and Eastwood associate/biographer Richard Schickel
-- new featurette "The Evolution of Clint Eastwood," on the film in the context of Eastwood's career as a director
-- trailer gallery

This and the other four movies are available on standard DVD both separately and in a 7-disc Ultimate Collector's Edition, which has additional goodies.

They're also on Blu-ray in a 5-disc Ultimate Collector's Edition. Only the Dirty Harry Special Edition is available separately on Blu-ray (here); the other four movies, including this one, are available on Blu-ray in the set.

Here are the links for the Amazon pages for the new separate standard DVD releases of the other four movies in the series:

Dirty Harry Special Edition (2 discs, "special" is apparently better than "deluxe")
Magnum Force Deluxe Edition
The Enforcer Deluxe Edition
The Dead Pool Deluxe Edition March 19, 2008

NOBODY....I MEAN NOBODY!... PUTS KETCHUP ON A HOTDOG!

"Sudden Impact" brought one of my favorite icons from the 70's movie world back to the big screen "Dirty Harry Callahan"! This is the forth installment in the series and the best of the sequels to this point! It is a great film for many reasons, one is it has a nice blend of action and self parody. The scenes when Harry goes in the coffee shop that is being robbed and when he chases the bank robber in the retirement bus are certainly done with a little humor in mind. Since there is around 8 years between this and the last sequel it is obvious that Callahan has aged some,but not mellowed! This film is the first film that Clint coined the phrase " Go a head...Make My Day!" Harry can't seem to get through a day without being reamed by his superiors for his methods of keeping our streets safe! The film also has some really nasty, but convincing villains in a bull dyke named Ray(Audrie Neena)and a murderer/rapist/psycho named Mick(Paul Drake), but also I can't help but find it funny that Albert Popwell is in this installment again Lol! He has been in every movie playing a different character the banker robber he says "do you feel lucky" to(Dirty Harry),a pimp who uses Drano to kill one of his "girls(Magnum Force, an informant(The Enforcer) and now Harry's pal(Sudden Impact)! I know there are some who don't care for this film,but is very entertaining and smartly made!I have to watch The Dead Pool again before I can say if that is a better movie. The DVD transfer looks very good. July 29, 2007

Whatcha doin', ya pig headed sucka?!!!

This was one of my favorite movies from the early 80's. I love most Clint Eastwood movies, especially his Dirty Harry movies. This is probably my 3rd favorite, after Dirty Harry, and The Dead Pool.

This movie is also one of Clint's most savage, and dark Dirty Harry movies.

I highly recommend renting or buying this DVD.

MC White August 23, 2006

'Harry' Meets A 'Savage' Woman

The fourth in the "Dirty Harry" series, this film features one of the most despicable, ugliest, unlikable, profane, disgusting females I have ever seen on film: "Ray Perkins," played by Audrie Neenan. She is the modern nasty low-life version of the 1945 "Detour" character, "Ann Savage."

Her foul mouth and gutter attitude turned me off so much I never watched this film again until I acquired a profanity filter which shut her up....and least some of her! Then I could enjoy the rest of the movie.

Everywhere "Harry Callahan" (Clint Eastwood) goes, violence immediately follows.....within minutes! It happens so often it's almost laughable but it makes for a fast-moving, entertaining film with a satisfying ending as all the scumbag villains are eliminated one-by-one.

This is a very sophomoric film that appeals to our base instincts.....and connects, sad to say. Most of us like to see these dirtballs get it in the end, and who does it better than Dirty Harry? April 23, 2006

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