When a number of criminals start getting killed by vigilantes suspected to be impersonating SFPD motorcycle cops, Inspector Harry Callahan must track them down before they strike again. Of course, it doesn't help that one of his superior officers, SFPD Homicide Lt. Neil Briggs, seems determined to keep him muzzled and off the case. Even worse, a quartet of rookie traffic cops with military backgrounds keep seeming to pop up whenever there is a shooting. If Dirty Harry (1971) saw Callahan fight back against a system that seemed designed to stymie justice, Ted Post's Magnum Force sees him battle against those who use the system itself to achieve justice by going above and beyond the law. Herein lies the central contradiction of Harry Callahan which raises him from trigger-happy madman to complex character: he believes in justice so much that he is willing to alternatively break the law and defend the law as he sees fit. This dilemma is perfectly captured in a single line of dialogue from the film: "I hate the goddamn system! But until someone comes along with changes that make sense, I'll stick with it." See, Callahan will torture Scorpio if it means saving the life of a young girl. But he will not suffer vigilante justice. It's a fascinating dichotomy that makes Harry Callahan one of the most intriguing cinematic characters to ever carry a badge. Magnum Force is a fascinating meditation on the nature of violence and justice. The screenplay by John Milius and Michael Cimino crackles with the same kind of unforgettable dialogue and creative scenarios that helped make the first film such a classic. However, the third act was too long and padded. The aircraft carrier duel overstays its welcome and merely serves to prolong a conclusion that the audience already knew was inevitable. But still, Magnum Force manages to enhance the character of Harry Callahan from the first film instead of merely repeating it.
7/10
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