Review of Death Wish 3 (1985) by Jacob F — 04 Jul 2007

Reprising his role as Paul Kersey, the vigilante from the first two Death Wish films, Charles Bronson arrives in the warzone that is 1980s NYC only to find his war buddy dying from a brutal gang beating.

The police burst in and arrest Mr. Bronson, assuming that he has done the beating. He is held in detention for hours and hours without any charges being given or rights being read. The District Attorney finally asks the head detective the charges against Kersey and the detective replies that there are none! And then he shrugs his shoulders when the DA asks why they are continuing to hold him! This is just a taste of the delicious idiocy to expect from Death Wish 3, which is quite possibly one of the most overall entertaining films of all time, being simultaneously a blood soaked mega-violence near-opera and an unintentional laugh out loud comedy.

In a nut shell, Charles Bronson kills street trash left and right in the most ridiculous and awe-inspiring ways that escalate body counts into triple digits. Logic and good taste play no role in this film, but this all works to the benefit of the viewer.

Every death trumps the last, every word spoken is more stupefying than the last. You are kept on the edge of your seat just wondering if the movie could possibly get any more incredible (and incredibly stupid).

Highly recommended for anyone who loves hilarious grade B action. Truly one of the best/worst movies.