Post by stefancrosscoe on Jul 25, 2018 14:57:23 GMT
"Go ahead, make my day!"
A series of brutal murders has been taking place in the late hours of San Francisco, and once again it all ends up back into the hands of Homicide Inspector Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood), who's more than ready to get back to what he's best at, after his short lived vacation is shortened, thanks to the work of what might just be another serial killer's nasty work in progress.
My all time favorite of the Dirty Harry franchise, and one of the earliest memories I have of this hugely entertaining action-thriller series.
While Dirty Harry (1971) and Magnum Force (1973) is far better executed movies, I have always been very fond of Sudden Impact.
I am not sure why so many seem to dismiss it as one of the weakest or even the "worst", but my guess is that Clint's former ex-wife, Sandra Locke might have something to do with it, but I am not really sure.
Anyway, the movie seemed to fit well within the 1980s, with everything from fashion sense (Clint really wore the hell out those cool as ice sunglasses, ones which Arnie would become iconic for a year later in The Terminator), classic quotes all over the place and probably the most famous of them all "Go ahead, make my day. Punk!" to a far more action filled and over-the-top adventure, even though it also did surely contain some very dark and unpleasant scenes as well.
Also the funky opening theme has somehow always reminded me of the Police Academy movies. Not sure why but it sounds so incredible cheesy and 80s that it just end up being awesome.
For me, without spoiling too much (for those who might not have seen the film), I liked Sandra's performance, it was chilling at times and the only role in a Clint movie where I thought she fitted the part without annoying me or feeling like she was taking up far too much space.
Another huge reason to why I have always favored it over the other movies of the series, is that I really enjoyed the use of locations, as most of it is shot in very beautiful surroundings, away from the more gritty, big city concrete jungle feel that of San Francisco and I thought it gave the film an extra bit of quality to it.
Sudden Impact is one of those classic action films which I always love watching during the late summer time, and it has also taught me that a hot dog with only mustard is not a bad idea, even though I still cannot seem to get enough of the good old ketchup though.
All in all, I would place this movie as the third best of the series, but when it comes to pure entertainment, it is my number one pick.