The Enforcer (1976)

Dirty Harry Movie #4

Synopsis: Plucky dame and grumpy killing machine strike up unlikeliest friendship since Richie Cunningham met the Fonz.

Blurb From the DVD Jacket: “Clint Eastwood’s third go-round as Det. Harry Callahan matches him with a new partner, Tyne Daly as Inspector Kate Moore, who has two jobs: tracking down a band of armed-and-wacko terrorists – and winning Harry’s confidence.”

What Did I Learn?: Personnel is for assholes.

You Might Like This Movie If: You’ve always wanted to see (or hear) the more caring and sensitive side of Dirty Harry.

Really?: 1) I had a hard time believing Harry could simply drive an unmarked police car through a store window to bust a hostage-taking and not get fired, or face criminal charges. 2) So, if the terrorist plot is to kidnap the mayor and hold him for ransom, why did they bomb the men’s room in the police department? 3) The terrorists are hiding out in Alcatraz? Are we supposed to seriously believe that America’s most famous prison was simply abandoned after shutting its doors? 4) Wait – Harry and Kate Moore take on the terrorists all by themselves without calling in for some backup, while the authorities are completely willing to surrender to the terrorist demands? Come on....

Rating: The Enforcer is probably the most mainstream of the Dirty Harry films; there’s a lot more humour, a lot less right-wing social commentary, and the action scenes are well done - it's basically a 1970s Lethal Weapon. Eastwood and Daly share some on-screen chemistry (albeit non-romantic), and while the film is enjoyable, the final two-person assault on Alcatraz is a bit tough to believe. 7.5/10 stars.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074483/