Woodyanders Maverick detective Harry Callahan (smoothly played by the ever-cool Clint Eastwood) faces off against a gang of rookie cops who are killing criminals that the flawed system has allowed to get away with their heinous misdeeds.Director Ted Post relates the engrossing story at a steady pace, maintains a pretty harsh'n'gritty tone throughout, and stages the rousing action sequences with skill and flair. The smart and trenchant script by John Milius and Michael Cimino takes a strong stance against the abuse of authority and states a powerful central point on how vigilantism opens up a can of moral worms that's more trouble than what it's worth. The sound acting by the sturdy cast keeps this film on track: Hal Holbrook as fed-up disapproving superior Lt. Briggs, Felton Perry as easygoing partner Early Smith, Mitchell Ryan as bitter burnt-out veteran patrolman McCoy, and John Mitchum as the cynical DiGiorgio. David Soul, Tim Matheson, Kip Niven, and Robert Urich are quite good as the eager rookie motorcycle cops who take the law into their own hands. The fetching Adele Yoshioka makes a nice impression as alluring hot to trot neighbor Sunny. The startling moments of brutal violence pack a fierce punch. Frank Stanley's crisp widescreen cinematography provides a pleasing polished look. Lalo Schifrin's funky-throbbing score hits the right-on groovy spot. A satisfying sequel to the excellent original.

writers_reign As sequels go this is a tad better than the majority and gives Clint Eastwood a chance to develop his Dirty Harry Callaghan persona. Unlike at least one other person I had no problem with the sequence where Callaghan foils an attempted plane hi-jack. Whilst it's true it has nothing to do with the main plot - finding out who comprise the vigilantes within the department - it reminds us that Harry gets results albeit via unorthodox methods and telegraphs that sooner or later he'll root out the vigilantes. It would have been nicer if Hal Holbrook didn't make it so easy for the audience to catch wise to him but overall it's a satisfying and entertaining divertissment.

trashgang Part 2 in the Callahan franchise. This is a completely other thing than Dirty Harry and I must say that it doesn't matter at all because it is still top notch. Have seen the Death Wish franchise you could see after part 2 that it went totally wrong but Dirty Harry is still strong. Of course the performance of Clint Eastwood as Callahan is superb. I dare to see that it is even better then his performance in Dirty Harry.The opening credits do say it all, the famous sentence of Dirty Harry is repeated here so you immediately knows what your up to. Just before the end credits there's a new line "Men got to know it's limitations". Straight from one of his spaghetti westerns it could come. Being made early seventies it shows in the bad way, there's a lot of racism going on, what was going on back then, but to see it nowadays what they all are saying to the black people is really outdated. also surprised of the nudity added in this action flick. Some full frontal here and there. Still if you can place it in it's time made you will love this, another classic from Clint Eastwood despite some editing faults with the car chase at the end, just watch the car changing with it's damage now and then.Gore 0/5 Nudity 1,5/5 Effects 2/5 Story 3/5 Comedy 0/5

moonspinner55 The second "Dirty Harry" film, directed by Ted Post (a friend of star Clint Eastwood's from their days in television), is full of smash-ups, crash-ups, a pimp killing a prostitute with drain cleaner down her throat, a metal girder catching a crime czar right in the face, and a police inspector (Eastwood's partner) dispatched in a shameful manner--by opening a bobby-trapped mailbox! The plot is inverted from 1971's "Dirty Harry"--this time, the kids are all right and the cops are the bad guys. No matter; Eastwood's Harry Callahan dispatches with the legalities and mows down the crooked rookies just as he did with the hippie sniper from the predecessor. The screenwriters (John Milius and Michael Cimino!) don't even attempt to recognize the irony inherent in the scenario--it's just a plot gimmick to them, another way to go with this character. Still, for fans of completely mindless action fare, one could do worse than "Magnum Force". It has built-in audience approval, which is impossible to shake; one goes into the movie knowing exactly what to expect--and enjoying that all expectations are fully met. Post keeps it moving--thumping, thumping--like an erotic dance for would-be assassins. ** from ****