
Even though he detests publicity, for once, the tough-as-nails San Francisco Police Department officer, Inspector Dirty Harry (1971), has hit the headlines for a good cause, after putting behind bars an infamous mobster. But now, Callahan's name is on a macabre list of soon-to-be-dead celebrities. Before long, the first one dies, the drug-addled rock star, Johnny Squares, and as more violent deaths follow, Callahan now fears that he is next in line. In the meantime, more and ... (Full plot summary below)
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Even though he detests publicity, for once, the tough-as-nails San Francisco Police Department officer, Inspector Dirty Harry (1971), has hit the headlines for a good cause, after putting behind bars an infamous mobster. But now, Callahan's name is on a macabre list of soon-to-be-dead celebrities. Before long, the first one dies, the drug-addled rock star, Johnny Squares, and as more violent deaths follow, Callahan now fears that he is next in line. In the meantime, more and more, all indications point to the British horror-film director, Peter Swan. Who is the mastermind behind the anonymous hit-list and the twisted gambling game known as the Dead Pool? Can Harry get to the bottom of this deadly conundrum before it is too late?
Leave your thoughts about The Dead Pool.
| Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertThe film is smart, quick, and made with real wit. It's never just a crude action movie, bludgeoning us with violence. It's self-aware, it knows who Dirty Harry is and how we react to him, and it has fun with its intelligence. Also, of course, it bludgeons us with violence. |
| Chicago TribuneGene SiskelThe Dead Pool isn't the best and brightest of the Dirty Harry films, either, but just as invincible. It's possible that Clint Eastwood and crew are just enjoying a bit of self-mockery with this one. |
| Fantastica DailyChuck O'LearyThe fifth and least of the Dirty Harry movies is still watchable, but lacks the edge of Harry's earlier adventures. |
| Movie MetropolisJohn J. Puccio...pretty much more of the same: a new partner, new baddies, Callahan shooting up more people. |
| United Press InternationalCathy BurkeThere didn't seem to be anything special in the unraveling of the murder plots in The Dead Pool, but for what it lacked in suspense, Dirty Harry and company made up in talent and wit. |
| Wall Street JournalJulie SalamonAn episodic thriller that certainly has its moments, but eventually peters out into dull formula standbys; Eastwood's Harry seems weary of his own sarcastic witticisms, and the ones here won't make anybody's day. |
| USA TodayMike ClarkThis is Dirty Harry's greatest hits, which is a little fun and a little embarrassing. The best part of the film is a warped version of "Bullitt"'s San Francisco car chase through Pacific Heights. |
| Cinema CrazedFelix Vasquez Jr.Feels like one of the lesser exciting Harry Callahan that doesn't exactly send the character with much of an explosive sign off. |
| Boston GlobeJay CarrUnless you're a Clint fan there's little other reason to sit through this one. |
| eFilmCritic.comRob GonsalvesThe fifth, last, and possibly most perfunctory and boring Dirty Harry movie, except for a hilarious chase scene involving an explosive toy car. |