The Dead Pool
Harry Callahan investigates the death of a celebrity, and discovers that there game being played by a group of friends where they create a ‘list’ of celebrities they think will die. But one of the players lists start dying – and Harry’s name is on the list.
Direction
New director Buddy van Horn takes over from Eastwood. The direction is sound, with no real ups nor downs.
Cast/Characters
Clint Eastwood of course back in his fifth and final appearance as Harry Callahan.
Patricia Clarkson plays what is essentially his love interest as reporter Samantha Walker. The almost 30 year age gap between them is hard to miss.
Liam Neeson plays Peter Swan, who the police believe is the person responsible for the killings.
Jim Carrey in one of his earliest roles, is Johnny Squares, the first celebrity to be murdered.
Breakdown
At 87m (with opening and closing credits) this is the shortest of the DH movies, and even with the shortened time – the narrative struggles.
There are the usual unbelievable ‘plot armour’ attacks on Harry (the opening car chase/attack), the action between the main narrative (the Chinese restaurant robbery, and mr wheeler who wants to set himself on fire).
There is poor cultural appropriation with Harry’s new partner Quan, whose backstory is briefly mentioned at times (his past as a gang investigator, and his tattoos. Harry and Quan do have plenty of scenes together, especially all the post gunfight conversations which feel way overused.
The relationship between Harry and Sam is not confirmed, but rather assumed (especially after he spends the night at her house following the elevator attack). As mentioned earlier, the 30 year age gap between Eastwood and Clarkson does make this somewhat problematic.
Peter being the villain, is an obvious red herring ** spoiler ** he’s not – but being set up. The real villain, who has a meltdown before his reveal (this is meant to be frightening but is more comedic in a mid 2020s viewing).
The reveal of the villain is so underwhelming too, as he is a character who I don’t even think had any screen-time before this. His character mimics Peter’s cockney accent (which is a terribly fake accent by the Irish Neeson).
The Harry v villain showdown is both underwhelming and non threatening.
It’s hard to believe we went from Scorpio – one of the greatest villains in cinema history – to… this.
I will admit, I did love the ‘car chase’ between the villain and Harry in the second act!
Overall
Not terrible by any means, but the series definitely aged out, as did Eastwood himself. Five films in, this is sadly the poorest in narrative, and believability.
Still worth a watch.
3/5
Please also check out my Podcast on Youtube, where we review a new movie every week! Please subscribe!