The Enforcer Details

The Enforcer is the third in the Dirty Harry series, and the downward trend continues. While Magnum Force was no classic it did at least have an interesting take on Harry's vigelante methods, but storywise The Enforcer is completely lacking in original ideas. All the plot elements are over-familiar from the previous two films - Harry going against the rules to get the bad guy, Harry getting told off by his sueriors and told he's off the case, Harry getting a new partner whom he initially thinks is incompetent but grows to respect, blah blah blah. The bad guys are also very second rate, and the story lacks any of the moral ambiguity that made the first two films interesting.

The films saving grace is that it's actually very amusing. Eastwood puts in a storming performance and has more hilarious one-liners than ever before, while the B-movie acting of the minor characters is so poor that much unintentional comedy ensues.

The Enforcer is entirely lacking in dramatic impact and could never be classed as a 'good' film, but taken as a light-hearted parody of the original Dirty Harry it is at least amusing and entertaining viewing.

Clint Eastwood as deadpan as ever ....

Not the best of the 'Dirty Harry' collection but worth watching all the same. The script, admittedly based on a true story, deals in rather too many one dimensional characters but it doesn't spoil the action. The relationship between Eastwood and Daly is quite charming and the viewer is left wishing that they should have made more of that. Otherwise, has the look and feel of any 70s TV cop show, complete with cheesy music and squealing tyres. Best viewed with a beer!