DeathWish
Ratings Justification Page
DeathWish III is the best of the quintilogy. John Batchelor puts it very eloquently by saying, "Of all his movies, Charlie is the biggest and badest of all in this one! How could someone not like a movie where the last twenty minutes is almost all action and no dialogue?" I agree entirely with this sentiment. Kersey's best friend dies in this one midway though the movie just when they're planning their revenge--the most unexpected time. That's a sign of an excellent movie. Also, this one has the homosexual swedish gangster as Joe Bob Briggs describes him, which is definitely a plus.
DeathWish IV could be made into a legitimately good movie if done well. The "everybody does drugs" guy was excellent. With the intensity he showed, I kept expecting him to say, "I'm high right now!" The plot twist when Bronson was tricked by the white drug dealer was brilliant, and any movie with the name Ed Zacharias in it is a special one. I especially liked the logic at the very end of the movie whereby the dealer thought it was Bronson's fault he himself shot the girl because he told Bronson he'd do it. Most importantly though, whether you realize it or not, Bronson eliminated L.A.'s entire drug ring in a week which is just goes to show you can do anything if you put your mind to it.
Aside from the way to graphic rapes, this one was pretty good. I seem to be alone in thinking it's better than the first one, but after seeing it again, I maintain my position. My favorite part is the unbelievable escape the last criminal puts up when trapped inside his building. Though he didn't get away, the moves he put on the cops would make him a great running back in the NFL. I also really like the part at the beginning when he comes up with the excuse that he forgot his wallet--classic Bronson creativity. I also liked how his fiancee left him at the end.
DeathWish I was cool only because it had Bronson's initial vigilantism weapon which was a sock with a roll of coins in it. It also had an unforgettable performance by Jeff Goldblum that I'm sure he'd like to forget. Also, the bleeding heart liberal part is great.
Obviously, any movie which has a blatant yet sorry Jack Nicholson imitation deserves some praise, but this just wasn't any good. For the love of god Bronson used fashion studio machines as weapons.