If you made The Dead Pool in 2009, it would probably be heralded as a gloriously nostalgic recreation of early '70's cop thillers. But Clind Eastwoods fifth Dirty Harry movie was made in 1988, when movies like 48 Hrs, Beverly Hills Cop II, Lethal Weapon and Die Hard were redefining the adult cop genre.
At the time it looked hopelessly old fashioned. And it still does. It doesn't help that this entry into the series is dumber that that which preceded it...revolving around a hit list of local celebrities, including Clint himself. It tries to delve into the nature of fame and celebrity but is more content in giving Detective Callaghan witty one-liners and opportunities to shoot people in the head. It seems odd that the only way the franchise was updated was by dumbing it down to 'Cobra' proportions.
What's still cool, however, is the car chase between Harry and a remote controlled car. It's a unique twist on a tired formula and works as a humorous parody of the classic Bullit chase. Thankfully, director Buddy Van Horn went back to being Clint's Stunt Co-ordinator after this.
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