The Dead Pool (1988), Director: Buddy Van Horn, rated R for police violence, language

Dirty Harry Just Learned A New Game

Film ClipStarring: Clint Eastwood, Evan C. Kim, Patricia Clarkson, Liam Neeson, David Hunt, Michael Currie, Michael Goodwin, Jim Carrey

DML Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ - above average

"She's right. Oh you can set yourself into a bonfire, we'll break out the marshmallows and the weenies, but you ain't gonna be on News at Eleven" – Harry Callahan to a man threatening to set himself on fire

Why watch this? Clint ends his Dirty Harry films with a heavy metal bang.

Plot Summary: Detective Harry Callahan becomes a local hero after testifying against a major San Francisco crime boss. His newfound fame quickly turns deadly when a serial killer begins eliminating celebrities from a macabre betting game, called the "Dead Pool", that uses a list that contains Callahan's own name. Harry must navigate the intrusive media while tracking down the elusive killer.

  Dad's Preview: This fifth and final Dirty Harry action thriller was certainly a departure for the franchise, and that is not necessarily a good thing. It feels so late '80's and is heavily influenced by MTV, with loud metal music and an over-bearing soundtrack, which stands in stark opposition to the other Harry films. Yet, Eastwood is back and grumpy and still adept at one-shot kills with his .44 Magnum. He still has a police chief who doubts him and a new partner, who this time, is Asian. It's more of the same, yet lighter, less serious. I did like the chase scene with the bomb-rigged toy car, but it felt out of place in this film. We also get a memorable few minutes from Jim Carrey as a coked-out rock star. And related to that, the members of Guns N' Roses make cameo appearances. And with that Dirty Harry has left the building...   


Malpaso Productions; Warner Bros.

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