Review of Sudden Impact (1983) by Luke M — 17 Apr 2015

The best of the Dirty Harry series following the original classic, stands apart certainly as the darkest entry of the films. Eastwood's direction manages to balance the more crowd-pleasing elements of Harry Callahan's one-man war on crime and bureaucracy with the rather tense and unsettling revenge tale of Sandra Locke's character. The film affords the Jennifer Spencer considerable screen time and Eastwood goes quite far in exploring both her rather psychotic edge as well as the root of her behavior in a gang rape scene that is particularly strong and unsettling. Her character's rage is a perfect counterpoint to Callahan's attitude toward law enforcement and its clear that he finds himself surprised but understanding of the Spencer character. Also noteworthy is Pat Hingle, returning opposite Eastwood from their casting in Hang 'Em High and The Gauntlet.

The film is not all darkness with some rather weak dog humor that proves Micheal Bay is not the only action director obsessed with ugly dogs. Of course the film features the definitive Eastwood line. Its rather amazing to think that its not till the 4th entry that Dirty Harry's most iconic moment arrives in the classic, 'Go ahead, make my day.".

The film's final act is quite impressive unfolding almost like a horror movie in its cinematography and editing as Locke is victimized again and Eastwood returns from certain death to exact justice. The silhouetted shot of Dirty Harry coming down the fairway with his massive pistol in hand is akin to any number of slasher movie icons from Freddy to Jason in its fearful atmosphere. Callahan's final decision to cover for Spencer is striking when it happens and is perhaps how the Dirty Harry series should have been left to end.