Speed Review "Yeah?!! We'll I'm taller!!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, since we are close to March already, I figured I'd get another post done before the end of this month, which will be on the action film, Speed, starring Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock and Dennis Hopper.  So, this will be a new review, which surprisingly I don't appear to have reviewed this film before, so why not do it now I guess. 

So, with that said let's take a look at how this film fairs 32 years on from its initial release.

And the usual warning is coming...

PLOT SPOILERS ARE AHEAD

STORY

So, the film begins with a city office elevator being armed with explosives by a crazy bomber named Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper) which traps 13 people inside.  So, in response, the LAPD send a SWAT team to deal with the situation and among them are officers Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves) and Harry Temple (Jeff Daniels). As Jack and Harry attempt to save passengers by attaching a cable from the arm of a crane on the building rooftops to the hook on the elevator, Payne detonates the elevator as he hears them above. However, despite the detonation of the elevator, the crane arm just about holds long enough for Jack and Harry to rescue the passengers before it crashes down to the ground floor.  Jack however is convinced that the bomber is in the building somewhere, so on searching the elevators, they soon find Payne, who holds Harry hostage but Jack manages to distract Payne by shooting Harry in the leg, Payne then runs out and seemingly blows himself up.  

Some time later, Jack and Harry receive medals for their bravery on TV and we see that Payne survived as he watches the ceremony on TV. The following day, Jack at a cafe bids a bus driver he knows farewell on leaving only for the bus to explode into flames, however a payphone nearby rings and Jack answers it to hear Payne's voice. Payne tells Jack that he has rigged another bus with a bomb and it will arm once it reaches 50mph but if it slows down below 50, it will blow up and that he has until 11am to get him 3.7 million dollars otherwise the bus will then explode. Payne also tells Jack if he tries to unboard any passengers during this time, he will also detonate the bus and on telling him the bus number and location, Jack instantly drives to find it. 

So, on finding the bus, Jack eventually boards it and tries to tell the passengers of the situation, however one of the passengers, a felon, produces a gun and points it at Jack, who tries to diffuse things (no pun intended!) but another passenger, Ortiz (Carlos Carrasco) tries to disarm the felon and they end up accidentally shooting the driver, Sam (Hawthorne James). After Jack disarms and cuffs the felon, one of the passengers, Annie (Sandra Bullock) takes over the wheel and Jack explains the situation. 

So, from here, Jack and Annie must try and prevent the bus from slowing down under 50 on the frantic, busy freeways of Los Angeles, while Harry back at the office, helps in trying to discover Payne's identity...

THOUGHTS

Well, as far as sleeper hits go, Speed definitely is one of the best up there and its also got a quite a unique plot for an action film with a bus that will explode at under a certain speed with LAPD officer, Jack Traven trying to do all he can to prevent it from happening. The film's script, which was written by Graham Yost, was inspired by 1980's thriller, Runaway Train with Yost's father, who was a TV host, believing the out of control train had a bomb on it (which it didn't). Yost then later adapted the idea into a script and placed the setting on a bus instead. 

The film's premise also allows for some really suspensful moments also such as Jack and Harry rescuing the falling elevator passengers and of course later on the bus having to jump a 50 feet gap in a newly constructed freeway. But its also the film's characters that make the film work so well, with Jack being a tenacious, spirited young cop, who does all he can to stop the crazy bomber, Payne and Annie, the feisty passenger, who steps up and drives the bus and of course Payne, the bomber, who holds the bus passengers hostage to get his ransom. 

PERFORMANCES AND NOTABLE SCENES (Warning: this section contains spoilers and some strong language!)

As for the performances, the cast are all on good form here.

Starting with Keanu Reeves, who is pretty good in his role as Jack Traven, the young LAPD cop, who tries to stop Payne from detonating the bomb on the bus by keeping it over 50 mph. 

Keanu has quite a few notable scenes, starting with the one where Jack and Harry arrive at the scene of the armed elevator inside the shafts. So, Harry asks Jack about a hostage scenario involving a terrorist holding a woman at gunpoint at an airport and what would he do, so Jack after a pause says "Shoot the hostage, taker her out of the equation, go for the good wound and he can't get to the plane with her" and Harry says "You're deeply nuts, you know that?!". Jack then takes a look at the armed explosives on the elevator and says "Harry, this is all wrong, he's gonna blow it anyway" and Harry asks "How do you know?" and Jack says "Dunno, gut feeling" and Harry says "Well right now Mac (their Captain) outranks your guy, so we sit". Jack then says "Maybe there's something we can do about those hostages". So, they go up on the rooftops of the building and see the arm of a crane and Jack says "No, we just taken them out of the equation". 

Then there is the scene where Jack and Harry confront Payne in the elevator after they find him and as Payne holds Harry hostage with his detonator, Jack keeps his gun trained on him. So, Payne says to Jack "Well this day has been very disappointing I have to say!" and Jack says "Why? Cos, you didn't get to kill everyone?" and Payne says "There will come a time, boy, when you wish you'd never met met!" and Jack says "Mister, I'm already there!". So, as things get more heated Harry suggests "Shoot the hostage!" to Jack, who shoots Harry in the leg, who goes down in pain and Payne looks surprised and Jack trains his gun on Payne and shouts "FREEZE! GIVE IT UP! YOU'RE OUT OF OPTIONS!!" but Payne just laughs and goes out the door and there is big explosion outside, which sends Jack flying back.

Another good scene is when Jack is on the bus, he looks underneath the floor panel to check for the explosives while he talks to Harry on the phone, So, Jack looking under says to Harry (who one of the passengers, Doug, relays what he is saying) "OK! We've got a wad, pretty big!" and Doug says "We've got a pretty big wad". Jack then says "Brass fittings! I think I can reach the circuit wire!" and Harry says "Oh no, no, no! That's a decoy! Classic!" and Doug says to Jack "That's a classic decoy, what else?". So, Jack looks down further and sees a big set of C4 with a gold wrist watch attached to it and Jack says "Fuck me!" and Doug after a pause says "Oh darn!".  Jack get's back up and takes the phone off Harry and says "Harry, there's enough C4 on this bus to put a whole in the world!".

Then there is the scene where Annie asks Jack what Payne is after, so she says to Jack "What is the deal with this guy? Did we bomb his country or something?" and Jack says "No, he just wants money". Annie then says "Really? Its not a very good way to make money" and Jack says "Its a game, if he get's the money he wins, if the bus blows up, he wins". and Annie asks "What if you win?" and Jack says "Then tomorrow we'll play another one" and Annie smiles and says "But I'm not available to drive tomorrow. Busy".

Then there is the scene where Jack tries to go underneath the bus to diffuse the bomb and he has no success as he can't bypass the explosives as it will fire, so as he tries to get out, debris from the tyres knocks of trailer he lies on off its axis and he ends up puncting the fuel tank to cling on. So, as Ortiz on the bus opens the floor panel with his tools, he pulls Jack up from beneath and Doug asks him "Did you have any luck with the bomb?" and Jack says "Yeah, it didn't go off" and Ortiz says "You're not too bright man, but you've got some big hairy cojones!" and Jack says "That is VERY gross, Ortiz!". 

And then we have the scene where (SPOILER!!) after Harry is killed on discovering Payne's home is wired with explosives, Payne calls Jack to gloat. So, on taking the call, Jack says "Harry, give me good news, man!" and Payne says "Oh, I'm sorry, Jack he didn't make it!" and Jack after a beat furiously says "You FUCK!!". So, Payne teasingly says to Jack "I thought it was a bit hammy to build a bomb out of my retirement gift, but I thought having a sign saying "Howard Payne" would be pushing it" and Jack then boiling says "I'm gonna rip out your fucking spine, I swear to God!". 

So, after Payne tells Jack to drops the money for him in Pershing square and gloats at 11am "Its going to be a very pretty day!" Jack hangs up and furiously smashes his cell phone and shouts out in rage. However, after he calms down, he suddenly notices something on Annie's top, which says "Wildcats Arizona". So, Jack says to Annie "Arizona Wildcats, pretty good football team" and Annie not getting it says "Guess so" and Jack says quietly "He can see you" and he looks around for a camera and he spots it on the roof above the windscreen.  Jack then shakes his head in realisation and says "He called you a wildcat before but I didn't pick up on it. Bastard's got a camera right in your face, he can see the whole bus. He's been playing me from minute one". So, Annie asks "Can hear me too?" and Jack says "Doesn't look like it, he's just watching you". 

Then there is the scene where Jack goes after Payne to the subway after Payne takes Annie hostage and straps her up with a bomb jacket. So, Jack as he sees the shape of someone, he shouts "FREEZE!!! Pop quiz, asshole! You have a hair trigger on the back of your head, what do you do?! Turn around! TURN AROUND!!!" and the figure turns around to reveal Annie wearing the bomb jacket and Jacks look on in horror and says "Oh no!". So, Payne then appears with the trigger and he says how a bomb that doesn't explode is like a cheap gold watch and Jack angrily says "You're crazy! You're fucking crazy!" and Payne says "No, poor people are crazy, Jack. I'M an eccentric!". 

Last of all is the scene Payne tries to open his bag of money, which is then ruined by a dye pack inside it, which sprays over his face and Payne yells at Jack, who is on the roof of the train and shoots at him above and he charges after Jack. So, as Payne goes on the roof of the train and fights Jack, he says to him "I;m smarter than you!" and Jack pushes Payne's head up just before a signal light hits and decapitates Payne, who's body falls off the train roof and Jack gasps and says "Yeah?! Well I'm taller!". So, after this, Jack heads down into the train and rushes up to Annie to diffuse the bomb and she asks "What happened to Payne" and Jack tells her "He lost his head". 

Dennis Hopper next up is excellent in his role as the crazy bomber, Howard Payne, who rigs a bus with explosives in an order to extort money for himself from the city. 

Hopper also has pletny of good scenes worth note, such as the one where Payne detonates the elevator he has rigged at the start and he says "Don't fuck with Daddy!" and he hits the detonator and the lift falls. So, after the passangers are saved, Jack and Harry finally locate Payne's lift, which sees Payne use a shotgun to shoot down Harry and he forces Jack to jump down as he makes the elevator go up. So, as Jack drops down into the elevator, Payne holds his shotgun at aim and says "I don't suppose anyone will give me 3 million just for you!" and he pulls the trigger and it clicks and Jack takes the from him as Payne holds Harry, carrying his detonator. 

So, Payne says to Jack "Pop quiz, hotshot! Terrorist has a hostage and enough C4 to destroy a building, what do you do?" and Jack says "There's gonna be 50 cops waiting for you in the basement" and Payne says "Oh, standard flanking deployment, we'll get off on the 3rd floor, at least that's what they'll think!" and he presses a button, giving a fake reading. So, as they arrive instead in the undergound parking area, Payne says "Well, this day has been pretty disappointing I have to say" and Jack says "Why? Cos, you didn't get to kill everyone?!" and Payne says "There will come a time, boy, where you wish you never met me!" and Jack says "Mister, I'm already there!". Payne then asks Harry "You ready to die, friend?" and Harry says "Fuck you!" and Payne says "Oh! In 200 years, we've come "I regret I have one life to give for my country to fuck you?!". Harry then dares Payne "Drop the stick!" and Payne almost admiringly says "Oh, we've got all the balls in the world here, man!!" Harry then says to Jack "Shoot the hostage" and Payne says "Say goodbye, Harry!" and Jack shoots him in the thigh much to Payne's surprise before he runs out laughing and we see a big explosion.

Then there is the scene where Payne destroys a bus to get Jack's attention the day after he get's his medal on TV. So, as a nearby payphone rings, Jack answers it and we see Payne on a cell phone in his car and he asks Jack "What do you think, Jack? If you pick up all the bus driver's teeth, you think they will give you another medal?". Jack angrily says "When I found you..." and Payne says "Oh, pop quiz, hotshot! There's a bomb on a bus. Once the bus get's to 50 miles per hour, the bomb is armed. If the bomb drops below 50, it blows up. What do you do? What do you do?!" and Jack says "I'd wanna know which bus it was". Payne then says "Very good, now there are rules, Jack. NO ONE get's off the bus! If you try to take any passengers off the bus, I will detonate it. I want my money by 11am". Jack then says "We can't pull that kind of money in time" and Payne tells him "FOCUS Jack! Your concern is the bus. And try and call, the radio is down". 

Another good scene is when Jack asks Payne to get off the bus for a moment to speak to his Captain and he tells Payne "I need to speak with these people, they think you are bullshit!" and Payne resentfully says "They don't think that!". Jack then says "I just want to get off for just a minute" and Payne "OK, but I want you back REAL fast! Oh, and Jack nothing tricky now! You know I'm ontop of you. DO NOT attempt to grow a brain!" and he hangs up.

Then there is the scene where after Harry is killed by a bomb trap set in Payne's own home, after they tracked his home location (but find he's not there) Payne calls Jack to tell him the news. So, in the scene,, Jack answers the call "Harry, tell me good news, man!" and Payne says "Oh, I'm sorry, Jack, but he didn't make it" and Jack after a beat furiously says "You FUCK!!". Payne then teases Jack and says "It was the watch that lead him to me, wasn't it? I thought it was a bit hammy building a bomb out of my retirement gift but I thought a sign saying "Howard Payne" was pushing it". Payne then tells Jack to drop his money off at Pershing square and he says "Its getting on to 11 am, Jack and I think its going to be a very pretty day!" and he laughs and hangs up.

Another notable scene is where Payne has Annie wired up with a bomb jacket in the subway and Payne says "Be prepared! This is the boy scout marching song!" and Payne looks at Jack with his gun trained on him and Payne says "What are you doing, Jack? I don't think you can shoot her". Payne then goes on about his bomb "A bomb is made to explode. That's its meaning. Its purpose. Your life is empty because you spend it trying to stop the bomb from becoming. And for who? For what? You know what a bomb is, Jack, that doesn't explode? It's a cheap gold watch, buddy!". Jack, disgusted says "You're crazy! You're fucking crazy!" and Payne says "Poor people are crazy, Jack! I'm an eccentric".

Last of all is the scene where on the subway train, Payne hears Jack moving on the roof and he says "Hey, Jack, is that you?! He's so persistant, he always get's his man! I wouldn't be able to interest in a bribe, would I? I've got plenty to go around!". However, as Payne opens his bag of money, the dye pack explodes inside and a purple goes over his face and shocked he says "My money!" and he angrily grabs his machine gun and shoots at it at the roof yelling "YOU BASTARD! HOW DOES THAT FEEL?! HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT, YOU BASTARD?!!". So, when he runs out of ammo, he grabs his detonator and runs for the roof "I'm coming for you, JACK!! AGHHHHHHH!!!!".

So, in the next scene, Payne climbs onto the roof and grabs Jack and hits him in the face with his detonator and he says "I'm the guy with a plan, you know why? Cos, I'm smarter than you! I'm SMARTER!". However, as Jack pushes Payne's head up, Payne suddenly sees a signal light, which ends up decapitating him and his body falls off the roof and Jack gasps for breath and says "Yeah? Well, I'm taller!". 

Sandra Bullock is also really good in her role as Annie, the spirited passenger, who drives the bus armed with explosives, although her voice does get a little bit grating when she shouts at times.

As for Sandra's notable scenes, for starters there is the one where Annie takes over driving the bus and she asks Jack "So, you're a cop right?" and Jack says "That's right" and Annie says "Well, I should probably tell you that I'm taking the bus because I had my driver's license revoked" and Jack asks "For what?" and Annie says "Speeding".

Then there is the scene where Annie asks Jack about Payne "So, what is this guy's deal? Did we bomb his country, or something?" and Jack says "No, he just wants money" and Annie says "Funny, that's not a very good way to make money". Jack then tells Annie "A while back, I stopped him when he wired an elevator with some passengers and he's a little pissed at me". Annie then asks "So, what has this got to do with us?" and Jack says "Its a game, he get's the money, he wins, if he blows up the bus, he wins" and Annie asks "What if you win?" and Jack says "Then tomorrow we play another one" and Annie says "But I'm not available to drive tomorrow. Busy".

Another scene is when one of the passengers, Helen, is killed as she trires to step off the bus and Annie tearfully says to Jack "When that bomb off, I thought I was dead and..." and Jack says "...and you were glad you were still alive" and she says "Yeah". Jack tells her then "She was a nice and she didn't deserve to get killed but if she got off that bus, it would have killed us all. He's the asshole, Annie, remember that, he's the one that put us here" and Annie says "Big asshole!".

Then there is the funny scene where after Jack steps off the bus for a few minutes and they wait for him tio come back, Ortiz goes up to Annie and says to her "I'm telling you honey, he's jerking off somewhere". So, Annie tells Ortiz "He didn't have to get on the bus, in the first place, Ortiz" and she looks at him and says "Hey, get your ass behind the yellow line!" and Ortiz steps back from the drawn yellow line.

And then there is the scene (SPOILER!!) where after Jack successfully get's all the passengers off the bus safely and he and Annie escape the bus using the floor compartment to slide out underneath the bus, they lie together as Annie tries to recover herself. So, Jack comforts Annie and says "Annie, its OK, its over" and Annie after a moment says "You aren't gonna get all mushy on me, are you?" and Jack smiles and says "Maybe". Annie then tells Jack "I hope not, cause you know, relationships under intense circumstances, they never last" and Jack says "Yeah?" and Annie says "Yeah, I've done extensive study on this". 

Last of all is the final scene (SPOILER!) where Jack and Annie sruvive the out of control subway train and they lie together afterward. So, Annie touched says "You didn't leave me" and Jack smiles "I didn't have anywhere to be just then!" and they kiss and Jack tells her "I have to warn you, I've heard relationships based on intense experiences never work" and Annie says "OK. We'll have to base it on sex then" and Jack smiles and says "Whatever you say, ma'am" and they kiss again as a large crowd gathers outside the subway train, which is now landed on the street.

Jeff Daniels next, is great in his role as Harry, Jack's fellow LAPD team member and bomb expert, who helps him try and defeat Payne. 

So, Jeff has plenty of scenes worth mentioning including the one where after Jack and Harry manage to rescue the passengers from the bomb elevator, sit down in relief. So, as they sit there, Jack asks about Payne "Is your watch slow?" and Harry says "No, he jumped the gun, we still had 3 minutes left" and Jack asks "Why? He's losing his 3 million" and Harry says "I don't know, maybe he couldn't hold his wad long enough. Its a common problem among middle age men, so I'm told". Jack then has a thought and get's up and says "He's here" but Harry says "He could have blown that thing from Pacoima!" and Jack says "No, he's here, he knew we were up to something". So, Harry after a beat says "Alight, he'd wanna be but he'd have to say mobile. The elevators?" and Jack says "Passenger cars were stopped, they checked out" and Harry asks "What about the freight elevators?" and Jack points and then go off to check.

Then there is the scene where Jack and Harry get their medals on TV and while they await them, Harry quietly stands next to Jack says to him quietly "I can't they are giving you a medal for shooting me, you little prick!" and Jack says "Harry, you TOLD me to". So, then we see Jack and Harry go up and get their medals, with Harry carrying a cane, as he walks with a limp.

Another scene is when Jack and Harry celebrate with their team at a bar after the medal ceremony and Harry warns Jack about his future recklesness. So, Harry tells Jack "When are you gonna listen? Because I am not always gonna be there to back you up?" and Jack says "Hey come on, Harry, we got him" and Harry says "Guts will get you so far and then they'll get you killed. Luck always runs out" and he get's up unsteadily and says to Jack and their Captain, Mac "I'm gonna go home and have some sex" and Jack says "Harry, you're gonna go home and puke!" and Harry says "Yeah, well that will be fun too!".

Then there is the scene where Harry mulls over, what is going with Payne's methods of using explosives and he says "What is he saying? A watch is a shitty timer. Why use it?" and one of his team, Robin suggests "Lots of people have watches, Harry".  Harry then thinks out loud "This guy has no MO. Bombers fall in love with one kind of bomb and they're very monogamous. This guy uses C4, dynamite, a different trigger every time, now he throws in this watch". Robin then says "He's an encyclopedia, knows every kind of bomb" and Harry deflated says "Yeah, and everything we do to dismantle them". Harry then has a thought and says "Robin, I wanna look at the files" and Robin says "We did the mugshots already" and Harry says "No, I wanna look at cops". 

And last of all is the scene where Harry tries to guide Jack through disarming the bomb, as he lies underneath the moving bus on a platform attached to winch line. So, in the scene, Harry tells Jack the process and says "I want you to expose one of the wires but DON'T cut it" and Jack does so and says "Bullseye!". Harry then says "OK, so I want you to connect that wire to the battery" and Jack does so but it beeps and he says "I can't bypass it, it will fire!" and Harry says "Shit! Its a collapsable circuit". However, at that point, one, one of his team, Robin, comes with a profile of Payne and she says "Howard Payne, Atlanta PD bomb squad, he retired to Sun Valley in 1989 when a small charge left him fingers numbering nine!". So, Harry triumphantly shouts "THAT'S OUR SCUMBAG!" and he says to Jack "Jack, we've found him, we're gonna go after the source" and Jack warns him "Watch your back!". 

Joe Morton next up is also excellent in his role as Captain "Mac" MacMahon, who is the head of Jack's team and helps him out during the bus crisis and he does a great job at showing Mac's authority over his team.  

So, I will mention only a few of Morton's scenes, such as the one where Mac celebrates Jack and Harry's success in rescuing the passengers from the armed elevator at the start of the film. 

So, in the scene, Mac proposes a toast to Jack and Harry and he says to Harry "To, Harry, hears your bravery, quick thinking and grace under pressure and his selfless act" and then says to Jack "And to Jack, for shooting Harry! Something we've all wanted to do for a LONG time!" and Harry pushes Mac and says "Hey!".  Mac then says "No, to you guys for doing your job and not getting dead. Mozeltov!" and they clink glasses.

Then there is the scene where Mac is told there is a gap in the freeway, which the bus is driving on, much to Mac's annoyance. So, one of Mac's team says to him "Sir, we've got a serious problem. The freeway isn't finished!" and Mac looks at the map and says "But its on the map as finished, its on the goddamn map!" and the cop says "I guess they fell behind!" and Mac infuriated shouts "Fuck! You're fired! EVERYBODY'S FUCKIN FIRED!!". So, Mac asks "How big is the gap" and the cop says "50 feet! At least!". 

Last of all is the scene where Mac approaches Jack and Annie after they the bus has exploded and Jack introduces Mac to her "Mac, this is Annie, Annie meet Captain MacMahon". So, Mac says to Jack "Well, maybe I'll be a nice guy and let you have the rest of the day off". So, after this, Annie get's her wounds treated from being scraped by the moving platform after fleeing the bus and Jack is with Mac, so one of the cops says to Mac "Sir, that's the bomber, he wants to know when he's gonna get his money" and Mac angrily says "I'll tell him what he can do with his goddamn money!". So, as Mac takes the phone, Jack stops him and says of the bus "He doesn't know it blew up" and Mac says after a beat "5 minutes".

Alan Ruck next is also pretty good and amusing in his role as the somewhat dorky passenger, Doug Stevens, who get's on everybody's nerves with overly chatty personality. 

So, I will mention a few quick scenes, such as the one where Annie arrives on the bus and sits in the row infront of Doug's. So, he decides to try and chat with her and says "First time in LA" and Annie smiles and says "Oh, no, I live here" and Doug says "No, mine. That's funny, no you heard me wrong. I'm sight seeing". Annie then says "Oh really?" and Doug says "Yeah. I hate the word tourist but its not like I can hide it" and Annie rolls her eyes and says "Not really". Doug continues to try and make conversation and says "You know it took me three hours to get here from the airport? I got so lost! LA such a big place, God I sound like such a yokel. There I said it". Annie by now has heard enough and takes some of her chewing gum and spreads it and says "Look, I've got gum on my seat! Gum" and she get's up and moves to another seat.

Another scene is the one where Jack asks Doug to take his phone and tell Harry what Jack sees underneath the bus, as Jack checks for explosives. So, Jack looks under and says "OK, we've got a wad! Pretty big!" and Doug says to Harry "Its a pretty big wad" and Jack says "Brass fittings, I think I can reach the circuit wire" and Jack says "No, no, no! Don't do that, its decoy, classic!". Doug then says to Jack "That's a classic decoy, what else?" and Jack takes a further look below and finds a lot of C4 attached with a gold watch leaving Jack shocked and saying "Fuck me!" and Doug after a pause says "Oh darn!". 

Then we have the moment where Annie is forced to make a difficult tight turn invoving everyone having to go over to the right side of the bus to avoid it tipping over. So, after the bus successfully makes the turn, everyone celebrates with relief except a few like Helen, who panics "Oh my God, we could have died! I can't think!" so Doug as tactful as ever tries to reassure her by saying "Its OK, if you want to, you can go ahead and vomit". Jeeez, this guy is a clown. :-P  

Then there is the scene where after the passenger, Helen is killed, the bus atmosphere becomes alot more grim and tense. So, Doug sits quietly and with a grim look says "I can't be here, I can't...this is the wrong bus. I can't die here" and Ortiz in front of him, says "Hey shut up, man! I got a wife!". So, as another passenger joins in and says "Hey, so if you have a wife and I don't, does that I'm expendable?!" and Ortiz says "He just get's on my nerves" and Doug says "Hey, I think I've got a right to feel upset!" and they argue more until Jack interrupts them. 

Last of all is the scene where the bus is at the airport, and Jack is about to step off and one of the passengers asks if the police will help them and Doug offers a not so sutble reply. So, the passenger asks "Are they going to help us?" and Doug says "Sure they are, they're the police. Hey, your taxes are paying their salaries, if we die, they have to take a pay cut. I mean you know..." as the bus passengers just look at him. 

Last of all is Carlos Carrasco as Ortiz, one of the passengers, who is somewhat hotheaded but does his best to help out when he can during the crisis.

So, I will mention a couple of his scenes, such as the one where just after the passenger Helen is killed on the bus, leaving them all devastated and shaken. So, as Doug says "I can't die here", Ortiz snaps and says to him "Hey man, shut up! I've got a wife!" and one of the other passengers pitches in "So, if you've got a wife and I don't, does that make me expendable?!". Ortiz then says "What are you talking about? The guy is just talking crazy, he's just getting on my nerves".  Doug then says "Oh, yeah? Well I think have a right to be upset after all we've been through..." and Ortiz snaps back "What are you staring at everybody for?! Why don't you just let us all die in peace, that's what is going to happen!". 

Then there is the scene where Jack is going to step off the bus to talk Mac about dealing with Payne much to the surprise of the passengers. So, Jack tells the bus "Just sit tight, I'm gonna get for a minute" and one of the passengers, Mrs Kamino asks "Do you think that's a good idea?" and Doug asks "Are you just gonna leave us here?" and Ortiz says to himself "I would!". 

And last of all is the scene where Jack is under the bus and after failing to disarm the bomb, he struggles to cling onto the platform and puncutres the fuel tank in an effort to cling on underneath. So, Ortiz uses his tools (as he's presumably a construction worker of sorts) to open the floor compartment to pull him up and he looks under and says "I see him! He's alright!!". So, Ortiz reaches for Jack and says "Its OK! I got you!" and he pulls Jack up with a struggle and Ortiz says to him "You're not too bright, man, but you've got some big round hairy cojones!". So, as Jack get's up on his feet he says "That's very gross, Ortiz!" and Ortiz laughs and says "Hey! Can't even pay the guy a compliment!".  

DIRECTOR

So, finally moving onto the director, Jan de Bont, who before this was primarily a cinemaphotographer who worked on films such as Die Hard, The Hunt for Red October and Basic Instinct, and here he does a great job with cranking up the film's suspense. Jan de Bont also confidently handles the film's action sequences such as trying to rescue the elevator passengers to Harry and Jack confronting Payne and to the trials and triabulations of the bus passengers. De Bont himself agreed to direct the film after it was turned by John McTiernan, the director of Die Hard and despite never having directed before this, the results are really solid from De Bont. De Bont would go onto direct the sequel, Speed 2: Cruise Control, which starred Sandra Bullock but was unfortunately a critical and commercial failure by contrast.

MUSIC 

As for the music score, it was by American composer, Mark Mancina and overall its a pretty good one that fits the tone of the film perfectly but does have a somewhat dated feel to it as it is very 90s sounding. The score's theme is also pretty memorable and it also has a very memorable and actually often used music cue in the scene where Jack and Annie escape the bus. De Bot had chosen Mancina to do the score as he had scored several action films previously and Mancina would go on to score films such as Bad Boys, Twister and Training Day.

FLAWS

As for flaws...yes Speed has a few worth mentioning.

For, starters, it has to be said one of the flaws most worthy of pointing out is to do with the bus making that gap jump over 50 feet, which is frankly ridiculous to suggest it would make it without actually missing the gap or even slowing down below 50 mph. In reality the bus simply would have nosedived and crashed below rather than sailed over the gap, also even if it did make it, the impact would most likely reduce the bus way below 50, leaving the bus to blow up. However, this is just one we need to chalk up to Hollywood licensing with reality! 

Another issue is to do with the notion of Payne being able to see Annie's top, which has the Arizona Wildcats logo on it, as his camera feed is pretty poor and low resolution, not to mention in black and white. Plus, the camera view is pretty wide, so it wouldn't have the telephoto reach to even zoom in and see her top that close either, so yeah its a pretty silly plot moment that doesn't make much sense. 

Then we have the scene where Harry and his team enter Payne's home address, only to find it deserted and he triggers a trip wire, blowing up the house and killing Harry and his team. Now, I have to say that Harry is a bit daft here, as he still had a few seconds to at least try and run out of there before he got killed in the blast but instead he just stands there like a dumbass rather than give himself any chance of survival by trying to run the hell out of there! In fact, the Youtube channel, Cinemasins took a sin of here because of Harry's reaction, as standing there bravely and accepting his fate, when I would have ADDED a sin for Harry not deciding to try and run the hell out of there first!! 

Then there is the moment where Payne says to drop off his money at a drop point in Pershing square (which is a small public park in Downtown L.A.) which is waste disposal bin, however beneath is a hole in the ground. Now, presumably, Payne was the one who drilled the hole himself but how did he do that without being seen or anyone noticing him do it? Either that, or he went there after midnight but even then, L.A. subways tend to run until 2am, so the notion of Payne getting away with this is pretty unlikely.

And then there is the scene where the bus explodes and I just wondered, doesn't Payne have anything to tell him that his bomb went off? On looking this up, Payne should or could have had something like a remote detonator feedback light, indicating when the bomb had exploded but instead Payne purely relies on the news feeds on the incident instead rather than anything like that. Or just maybe even for a man, who claims to be that smart, just didn't think far ahead here! 

Then we have the scene where Payne shoots the subway train driver and he damages the instruments of the train in the process, however in reality, the train itself would have stopped once the driver had been killed as a safety precaution. Also, its pretty silly of Payne to even shoot this up in the first place with no real way of stopping the train in the context of the film regardless.

And last of all is the scene where Payne attacks Jack up on the roof of the subway train as he hits him in the face several times with his detonator. Now, what if he somehow triggered the detonator in doing this? Again it highlights how demented Payne is here and naturally if he triggers the detonator then they're all dead. However, I guess given his plan had gone tits up at this point, Payne no longer cared and wanted to take out his anger on Jack regardless of him blowing themselves up or not!   

So, that's it for the flaws.

SUM UP

So, to sum up, Speed after 32 years, still remains a highly entertaining and suspenseful action film, which has some great action setpieces and its concept of a bomb on a bus, while not revolutionary, does add a neat twist to it with the bomb going off at a certain speed. The performances are also pretty solid overall, with Keanu Reeves in good form in the lead role, as well as a career establishing role from Sandra Bullock, who is also very good in addition to Dennis Hooper, who is excellent as the villain, Howard Payne. Jan De Bont also does a very good job in his directorial debut after being a cinematographer for many years prior to this. 

And yes there are a few plot holes here and there but they aren't enough to really detract from the enjoyment of the film and even over 30 years on, Speed is still worth a revisit.

So, I will rate Speed:

9 out of 10

So, that's it for this post and I might not do one before the end of the month but I will be back soon with another.

Unti then its bye for now! 

 

Pulp Fiction Review (Revisited Again!) - "God came down from heaven and stopped the bullets!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, now we are into February, its about time I did another review, so this one will be yet another revisit (again, I am lazy!) and will be on the Tarantino sophomore film (as the Americans might say!) Pulp Fiction. I've already reviewed this one in recent years, so I will try and add a few bits here and there but also tidy up one or two sections as well.

So, with that said, let's take another look at this modern classic some 32 years on from its release... 

And the usual is coming up.... 

PLOT SPOILERS WILL BE AHEAD!!!

STORY 

So, the plot is told in a typically non-linear fashion for writer/director Quentin Tarantino and is split across two main stories with some subplots and the first one features hitman Vincent Vega (Travolta) who goes on a job with his partner Jules Winfield (Jackson) to retrieve a briefcase from some young associates lead by Brett (Frank Whaley) who unwisely tried to rip off Vincent and Jules's boss, Marsellus Wallace (Vingh Rhames).  In the ensuing scene after they have killed the guys, Vincent accidentally kills one of their associates, Marvin (Phil LaMarr) by shooting him in the head while Jules is driving.  After that Jule's calls his local friend Jimmie for help (played by Tarantino himself) and Marsellus who sends one of his business associates Mr Wolf (Harvey Keitel), who "solves problems" and aids in cleaning up their mess for them.

The other story follows Vincent, who is asked by Marsellus to take out his wife Mia (Uma Thurman) one night on the town while he is away on business.  As the two of them have a good night out, and share a steak, burger, and take part in a twist contest, at a "wax museum with a pulse" 1950s style diner.  But when they go back to Mia's place, Mia accidentally overdoses on Vincent's heroin baggie, thinking it to be cocaine.  At this point Vincent in a panic takes Mia over to his drug dealer, Lance (Eric Stoltz) from whom he bought the heroin, which leads into the infamous "needle" scene where Vincent brings Mia round with an adrenaline shot.

The next big story is the "Golden Watch" where a boxer Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis) who is coming to the end of his career and is being forced to take a dive in his fight by Marsellus.  But Butch has other ideas and ends up winning the fight, unintentionally killing his opponent in the process and plans to flee with his girlfriend and the winnings he made from the bookies who placed bets on him.

However as Butch and his girlfriend, Fabienne (Maria de Medeiros) plan their departure, Butch notices that Fabienne neglected to pick up his precious golden watch, which was given to him as a present from a soldier (Christopher Walken) who was entrusted the watch given to him by Butch's dad.  Enraged by Fabienne's failure to pick up the watch, Butch decides, with little choice, to go back to get the watch.  So as Butch goes back to his apartment to pick up the watch he proceeds to have the "weirdest fucking day of his life" as he rightly puts it.

Lastly the film concludes with Vincent and Jules having breakfast in a coffee house where they have a deep conversation about the freaky encounter they witnessed at Brett's apartment, when a gunman fired six bullets straight at them and they all missed.  Not long after two thieves, Pumpkin (Tim Roth) and Yolanda (Amanda Plummer) hold up the coffee shop (whilst Vincent is in the bathroom) but as Pumpkin approaches Jules to get his wallet, the thief gets more than he bargained for as it leads into the film's surprising climax.

THOUGHTS 
  
It has to be said that Pulp Fiction remains one of the most seminal and highly entertaining films of the last 30 years, which really established that Tarantino was not a one-trick pony and that he could continue to craft excellent films.  Tarantino's script for the most part is wonderfully written and is filled with rich (and very profane) dialogue which is highly memorable as well as quotable.  And its Tarantino's emphasis on the characters is what helps Pulp Fiction work so well as they are all very drawn out.  Vincent as the main character in the film, is both dim and smart at the same time, as he holds a rather stubborn view of life, but at key moments isn't the brightest of sparks (especially leaving his machine gun outside the bathroom, in the scene where Butch faces off him with his gun).

Jules on the other hand is much brighter, cockier and smarter, and as he and Vincent face certain death at one point in the film, Jules is smart enough to realise that at this point, this probably isn't the life for him.  And its most likely Jules decision after his dice with death that would go on to save him from a similar fate than Vincent's.  In the final scene Jules also helps the two coffee shop robbers (from the opening scene) to escape unharmed, as prior to that he would have just killed them.

Mia is also a really good character as she is smart enough to know that her husband is protective of her, but she can look after herself.  And Mia's close call with death also, provides a chance for Vincent to be the good guy and save her, although he wouldn't stand a chance in hell if she died on him.  There's almost a fine line between Mia also flirting and going a step further with Vincent, but Quentin sensibly doesn't let it go that far, although in a later scene its implied they have been seeing each other behind Marsellus's back.

PERFORMANCES AND NOTABLE SCENES (Warning: this section may contain spoilers and very strong language!) 

As for the performances, well the film features a star cast that are all on top form.  

Starting with John Travolta who's career was totally revitalized here as he superbly plays the part of the hitman Vincent Vega, who gets into hot water when he unwittingly blows the head off a business associate and also has to try and save his boss's wife from overdosing on his own heroin.

Travolta has numerous highlights in the film such as his opening scene where he talks with Jules about the subtle differences between the cultures of America, Paris and Amsterdam.  And in the scene Jules says "Do you know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in Paris?" and Jules asks "Don't they call it a quarter pounder with cheese?" and Vincent says "No they've got the metric system they wouldn't know what the fuck a quarter pounder is.  They call it the Royale with cheese".  And of course when Jules asks him "What do they call a whopper?" Vincent says "I dunno.  I didn't go into Burger King".

Then there is the scene where Vincent teases Jules about giving foot massages and says "Would you give a guy a foot massage?  I'm little tired I could do with a foot massage myself!".  And as Jules tells Vincent it wasn't right that Marcellus threw Tony "Rocky Horror" out of a window for giving Mia a foot message, Vincent responds.  So, Vincent tells Jules " Now look, I've given a million ladies a million foot massages, and they all meant something. We act like they don't, but they do, and that's what's so fucking cool about them. There's a sensuous thing going on where you don't talk about it, but you know it, she knows it, fucking Marsellus knew it, and Antwon should have fucking better known better. I mean, that's his fucking wife, man. He can't be expected to have a sense of humor about that shit!". 

And later as he fights the temptation to try anything on with Mia after their dinner, he talks to himself in the bathroom mirror at her place and says "You see, this is a real test to see if you can prove loyality, which is very important".  And then after he says to himself "So what you're gonna do is go out there and say "I had a lovely evening" get in the car, go home, jerk off, and that's all your gonna do!".

And later the scene where Vincent desperately drives Mia over to Lance's place and drags her unconscious body out the car, despite Lance's protests "you are not to bring this fucked up bitch into my house!".  And Vincent let's her drop to the ground and says "This fucked up bitch is Marsellus Wallace's wife!  Do you know who Marsellus Wallace is???  Now if she croaks on me I'm a fuckin grease spot! Now I will forced to tell him that you let her die on your fuckin lawn, so please help me get her up!".

And later after they shoot the gunman in Brett's apartment, Vincent kneels down and asks Marvin "Why the fuck didn't you tell us about the guy in the bathroom?  Did it slip your mind?  Did you forget there was someone in there with a goddamn hand cannon?!".  And as Jules insists it was "divine intervention" that has kept them alive from being killed by the hail of bullets, Vincent tells him "Do you wanna continue this theological discussion in the car, or at the jailhouse with the cops?!".  

Another good scene is when Jules tells Vincent what he intends to do with his life after choosing to quite being a hitman and Vincent calls him a bum. So, Vincent says "So, you decided to be a bum?" and Jules says "I'll Jules, Vincent, no more, no less" and Vincent says "No, you decided to be a bum, just like those pieces of shit that beg for change and eat what I throw away. They got a name for that, Jules and that's a bum and without a job, residence or legal tender, that's what your gonna be, man, you're gonna be a fuckin bum!". 

Vincent then refers to back to their freak incident with the gunman in the bathroom missing them completely and Vincent tells Jules "Jules, what happened this morning was peculiar I agree but water into wine..." and Jules says "All shapes and sizes, Vincent" and Vincent shaken says "Don't fuckin talk to me that way man!". Jules then says "If my answers frighten you, Vincent you should cease asking scary questions!". Vincent after a pause then announces "I'm gonna take a shit" and he gets up and says to Jules "When did you make this decision? While you were sitting there eating that muffin?" and Jules says "Yeah, I played the incident in my head when I had what alcoholics refer to as a moment of clarity" and Vincent says "Fuck! To be continued" and he walks off.

And lastly one of my favourite lines from Travolta is during the robbery of the diner and as Jules is about to give his money to Pumpkin he warns him "Jules if you give that fuckin nimrod 1500 dollars I'm gonna shoot him on general principle!". And in the final moment when the robbery has been diffused, Jules takes his wallet back and Vincent says quietly to him "I think we should be leaving now" and Jules says "Yeah, that's probably a good idea!".

Samuel L Jackson next up, who made his breakthrough with this role, is simply terrific in his role as the philosophical hitman, Jules Winfield, who decides to turn a new leaf after his incident at Brett's apartment when retrieving Marsellus's case. Jackson himself was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance but he lost out to Martin Landau's performance in Ed Wood.

Jackson has so many highlights in the film as well as priceless dialogue its hard to name them all but I will mention a few.  The first being the scene where Jules and Vincent arrive at Brett's apartment and he asks Brett if he can take a bite of his burger and he does so and says "This IS a tasty burger!" followed by "Do you know what they call a quarter pounder in France?" and he tells Brett its a Royale with cheese and why and as Brett says "Because of the metric system?" Jules says "Check out the big brain on Brett! You're a smart motherfucker, that's right! The metric system!".

And later in the scene he taunts Brett just before he shoots him and asks "What does Marsellus Wallace look like?!" leaving Brett a stuttering wreck who keeps saying "What?" and Jules's short fuse is about to reach the limit and he points the gun at him saying "Say what again?!  I dare you!  I double dare you, motherfucker!  Say what one more goddamn time!".   And this is of course is followed by his famous Ezekiel 25:7 passage from the bible, which he finishes by shouting "And you will know my name is the Lord, when I lay my vengeance upon thee!" before unloading into Brett.

Then there are some priceless Jackson moments in the "Bonnie Situation" story line, such as when the gunman bursts out of Brett's bathroom and opens fire on Jules and Vincent but all the bullets miss.  And Jules looks down at the dead gunman, after they shoot him, and he says "Did you see the size of the gun he fired at us?  It was bigger than him!".  And as Jules looks at the bullet holes in the wall he says "We should be fuckin dead, man" and Vincent says "Yeah, I know, we were lucky" and Jules says "No, this shit wasn't luck, this was divine intervention.  Do you know what divine intervention is?".  And Vincent, humouring Jules says "I think so.  It means that God came down from heaven and stopped the bullets?" and Jules says "That's exactly what it means.  God came down from heaven and stopped these motherfuckin' bullets!". 

And one of Jackson's funniest moments comes in the scene where Jules and Vincent have to clean out the blood stained car and Jules groans in despair as he cleans out bits of skull and blood "Oh, man!  I will never forgive your ass for this shit!  This is some fucked up repugnant shit!".  And when Vincent tries to say "When a man admits all his wrongdoings he is immediately forgiven" Jules says "Get the fuck out of my face with that shit!  The motherfucker that said that shit didn't have to pick up ity-bity pieces of brain and skull on account of your dumb ass!".

And when Vincent says how is "ready to blow" this is finally followed by "Well, I'm a mushroom cloud layin' motherfucker, motherfucker!  Every time my fingers touch brain I'm Superfly TNT!  I'm the guns of the Navarone!  In fact what the fuck am I doing in the back?!  YOU'RE the motherfucker that should be on brain detail!  We're fuckin' switching!  I'm washin' windows and you're picking this n*****'s dead skull!".

And lastly when Jules grabs Pumpkin he tries to chill out Honeybunny (or Yolanda) by saying "We're gonna be like three Fonzies!  And what's Fronzie like?" and Yolanda says "cool?" and Jules says "Correctamundo!".  And as Yolanda tells Jules to let Pumpkin go, Jules tells her "Yolanda, I thought you were going to be cool.  Now, when you yell at me that makes me nervous and when I get nervous, I get scared.  And when motherfuckers get scared that's when motherfuckers accidentally get shot!".  Then Jules negotiates with Pumpkin and gives him money so he doesn't have to "kill his ass" and he quotes the Ezekiel 25-17 bible passage and explains what he thinks it means.

So, Jules says to Pumpkin "I been sayin' that shit for years, and if you heard it, that meant your ass. I never gave much thought to what it meant. I just thought it was some coldblooded shit to say to a motherfucker... before I popped a cap in his ass.  But I saw some shit this morning made me think twice. See, now I'm thinkin' maybe it means...you're the evil man, and I'm the righteous man, and Mr. 9-millimeter here, he's the shepherd...protecting my righteous ass in the valley of darkness. Or it could mean... you're the righteous man, and I'm the shepherd, and it's the world that's evil and selfish. Now, I'd like that. But that shit ain't the truth.  "The truth is...YOU'RE the weak and I'm the tyranny of evil men.  But I'm tryin, Ringo.  I'm trying real hard....to be the shepherd!" and he lowers his gun and let's Pumpkin and Honeybunny go. And after they go, Vincent quietly walks up to Jules and says "I think we should be leaving now" and Jules says "Yeah, I think that's probably a good idea!" and they both leave.  

Uma Thurman is also excellent in her role as Mia Wallace, Marsellus's alluring wife who has dinner with Vincent and their scenes together provide a nice chemistry between them both.

Uma's notable moments all take place mainly at Jack Rabbit Slims restaurant, so I will start with the scene where Vincent at the diner with Mia, asks her about the incident with Tony and Marsellus.  And Mia asks him "So, did you think of something to say?" and Vincent says "Actually, I did.  However you seem like a nice person and I don't want to offend you" and Mia, surprised says "Ooohh! This doesn't sound like the usual, mindless, boring, gettin'-to-know-you chitchat. This sounds like you actually have somethin' to say".  And when Vincent asks her if Tony ever gave Mia a foot massage, she replies "Only thing Antwan ever touched of mine was my hand when he shook it... at my wedding.  Truth is, nobody knows why Marsellus threw Tony out that window... except Marsellus and Tony. When you little scamps get together, you're worse than a sewing circle!".

Then there is the moment where the Jack Rabbit Slim twist contest takes place and Mia wants to dance but Vincent is having none of it but Mia insists. And as Ed Sullivan look-a-like announces "Now who will be our first contestants?" Mia puts her hand and says "Right here!" And Vincent looks horrified and Mia says "Wanna dance" but Vincent quietly says "No, no, no, no, no". Mia however cuts him off and firmly says "No, no, no, no, no, no! I do believe Marsellus Wallace, my husband and your boss told you take to ME out and do whatever I wanted! Now I wanna dance, I wanna win, I want that trophy, so dance good!". 

Then there is the scene just after they dance, we see that they won the trophy as they dance into Mia's place and they share a laugh and an awkward moment where Vincent asks "Is that what you call an uncomfortable silence?" and Mia says "I don't know WHAT you call it!". Mia then quickly snaps out of her reverie and says "Music! Drinks!" and Vincent smiles and says "I'm gonna take a piss" and as Mia prepares to play something on her eight track, she says "That's a littttttle bit more information then I needed, Vincent but go right ahead!".

And after Mia has her harrowing near death experience and is saved bt Vincent she wearily asks him if he wants to hear a joke she told on the TV pilot she did.  And in the scene Mia asks him "Vincent, do you wanna hear my Fox Force Five joke?" and Vincent says "Maybe but I'm still a little too petrified to laugh" and Mia says "No, you want laugh because its not funny but if you wanna hear it, I'll tell it" and Vincent says "I can't wait". So, Mia tells the joke "A daddy tomato, a mommy tomato and a baby tomato cross the street.  The baby tomato starts lagging behind, the daddy tomato gets angry goes back and squishes him and says "Ketchup!" and Vincent smiles a little. Mia then looks at Vincent and says "See you around" and she walks off and Vincent blows her a kiss. 

Bruce Willis also puts in a good performance as the troubled boxer, Butch Coolidge, who is haunted by nightmares involving a soldier who hands Butch his late father's watch, who died in Vietnam and later on goes on the run from Marcellus Wallace as he ends up killing the boxer in his fight.

Willis play the part with his usual type of coolness combined with some hot tempered moments, which we see in the scene where he frantically looks through his suitcase for his father's watch, which his girlfriend Fabienne has forgotten.  And he says to Fabienne "That was my father's fucking watch.  Do you have any idea what he went through to get that watch??  I don't have time to go into it but it was alot!".  And Butch continues "All this other shit you could've set on fire, but I specifically reminded you not to forget the fucking watch! Now think!  Did you get it?" and Fabienne nervously says "I think so".  However, Butch now angry says "You believe so???!"  What the fuck does that mean??!  You either did or didn't get it!!" and Fabienne says "Then I did" and Butch asks again "You sure?" and Fabienne, frightened says "No".

So, then Butch explodes in a rage, yelling "FUCK!  FUCK!!! FUCK!!! MOTHERFUCKER!!!" and he starts leaping up and down and he grabs the motel room TV and smashes it and yells "DO YOU KNOW HOW FUCKING STUPID YOU ARE???!!".  However Butch then regains his composure and shouts "NO!  It's not your fault. You left it at the apartment. If you left it at the apartment, it's not your fault. I had you bring a bunch of stuff. I reminded you about it, but I didn't illustrate how personal the watch was to me".  And after he leaves and reassures Fabienne, we cut to him in his car and he pounds the steering wheel angrily, shouting "SHIT!! OF ALL THE FUCKING THINGS SHE COULD FUCKING FORGET, SHE FORGETS MY FATHER'S WATCH!!  I specifically reminded her!  Bedside table!  On the kangaroo!  I said the words "don't forget my father's watch!".   

And one of Willis's best moments is where after he and Marsellus have been captured by the rednecks in the pawnshop and he breaks free of his bonds and he decides to save Marsellus.  So, Butch rummages through the pawnshop for a weapon to rescue Marcellus with and he picks up a samurai sword (a katana) and goes downstairs and exacts some revenge on the rednecks.  And in the scene, Butch skewers one of the rednecks and then points the katana at the other, Z, and he notices a gun on a table near him and he says to Z "You want that gun, don't you, Zed?  Go ahead and pick it up!".  And as Z is tempted to pick it up, Butch says "Atta boy!  I want you to pick it up...Z!" but then Marsellus stands up behind Butch armed with a shotgun.....

And later when Marsellus let's Butch go he takes Z's chopper (Z is played by Peter Greene) and picks up Fabienne and he tells her "Honey, since I left you, this has been, without a doubt, the single weirdest fuckin' day of my life!".  And as Fabienne get's on the bike, she asks him "Who's motorcycle is this?" and Butch says "Its a chopper baby" and she says "Who's chopper is this?" and Butch says "Zed's?" Fabienne "Who's Zed?" and Butch says "Zed's dead, baby.  Zed's dead!" and they drive off.

Vingh Rhames is great as the crime boss, Marsellus Wallace who sends Vincent and Jules to retrieve a case containing something of great value (and has a golden glow) which we never see what it is and later on has a confrontation with Butch.

Rhames also has some good moments such as in his first scene where Marsellus talks to Butch and tells him "I think when this shit is all done and over, you're gonna find yourself one smilin motherfucker" as he tells Butch to take a dive in his fight.  And in ths scene, Marsellus holds out an envelope of money to Butch and he says to him "Are you my nigga?" and Butch takes the envelope and says "It would certainly appear so".  And Marsellus says to him "The night of the fight you might feel a slight sting.  That's pride fucking with you.  Fuck pride!  Pride only hurts, it never helps.  You fight through that shit.  Cause a year from now when you are kickin it on the Caribbean you're gonna say to yourself "Marsellus Wallace was right!".  

And later in the scene where Butch, driving his car, spots Marsellus cross the street, carrying a box of doughnuts and they look at each other and Marsellus shouts "Motherfucker!" and Butch puts the car into gear and runs him over only to crash into another car in the process. 

But later on Butch decides to save Marsellus during being raped by the rednecks, and Marcellus then takes the shotgun and blasts Zed's private parts to bits.  And as Butch asks him if he is OK, Butch says "Naw, man.  I'm pretty far from OK!".  And Butch asks Marsellus "What now?" and Marsellus says "Let me tell you what now. I'm gonna call a couple of hard, pipe-hittin' niggers...to go to work on the homes here...with a pair of pliers and a blowtorch"  And Marsellus shouts at Z, who writhes on the floor in agony, nursing what is left of his gentialia "You hear me talkin', hillbilly boy? I ain't through with you by a damn sight! I'm gonna get medieval on your ass!". 

So, Butch asks "I mean what now between me and you?" and Butch says "Oh, THAT what now.  I tell you now what between me and you.  There IS no me and you.  Not no more".  And Butch asks "So, we cool?" and Marsellus says "Yeah, we cool.  Two things: Don't tell nobody about this.  This shit is between me, you and soon to be living the rest of his short ass life in agonising pain, rapist here, it nobody else's business". 

And lastly there is the scene where Jules make a call to Marsellus about the "Bonnie" situation and what can the do to resolve it. So, in the scene Marsellus on the phone to Jules says re: Bonnie "If she comes what do you think she'll do?" and there is a beat as Jules replies and Marsellus "Yeah no fucking shit she'll freak. I mean how much? A lot or a little?". And as Jules anxiously explains that if Bonnie catches them trying to shift Marvin's body when she comes home "there aren't no telling what she is a liable to do!".

So, Marsellus says "I know that, Jules. All I'm doing is contemplating the ifs" which prompts Jules to snap back "I don't wanna hear about no motherfuckin ifs! All I wanna hear from your ass is "You aint got not problem, Jules! I'm on the motherfucker! Go back in there and chill those niggers out and wait for the cavalry, which should be coming directly!". So, Marsellus calmly replies "You aint got not problem, Jules. I'm on the motherfucker. Go back in there and chill those niggers out and wait for the Wolf, who should be coming directly". Jules, surprised then asks "You sending the Wolf?" and Marsellus says "You feel better, motherfucker?" and Jule smiles and says "Shit, negro! That's all you had to say!". 

Eric Stoltz is also good in his role as Lance, the drug dealer who sells Vincent the heroin, which Mia later overdoses on and he takes the call from Vincent when Mia has OD'd he says to him on the phone "This is not my fuckin problem!  You fucked her up, you fuckin deal with this!  Are you talking to me on a cellular phone?!  I don't know you!  Prank caller, prank caller!" and hangs up.

And later when Vincent brings the OD'd Mia to Lance's place, the two of them squabble as Lance prepares the needle with adrenaline to resuscitate Mia.  And Lance says "Here, I'll you what to do" but Vincent refuses, saying "You're gonna give her the shot" and Lance insists "No, you're gonna give her the shot!" and they continue to argue.  So, Lance finally says "I never done this either! I ain't starting now! You brought her here. You give her the shot. The day I bring an O.D.ing bitch to your house, then I give her the shot!  Give her the shot!".

So, Vincent relents and takes the needle and uses a black marker to mark the point on Mia's chest where he is to inject the needle.  And Vincent says "All right, tell me what to do" and Lance says "Okay, you're giving her an injection of adrenalin straight to her heart. But she's got a breastplate... You gotta pierce through that. You gotta bring the needle down in a stabbing motion!" and Lance indicates a stabbing motion three times.  So, Vincent asks "So, I've got to stab her three times?" and Lance shouts "No, just stab her once! But it's gotta be hard enough to get through her breastplate into her heart. Once you do that, you p-press down on the p-plunger".  And Vincent asks "OK, then what happens?" and Lance shrugs and says "I'm kinda curious about that myself" and Vincent angrily says "This is ain't no fuckin joke!  Am I gonna kill her?!" and Lance says "She's supposed to come out, just like that!".

Then after Vincent injects the needle in Mia, she suddenly is brought to life and screams out loud and Lance nervously asks her "If you're alright, then say something" and Mia looks a bit needle embedded in her chest and says "Something...." and Vincent and Lance sigh in relief. 

Harvey Keitel also provides an amusing performance as Winston Wolf, the problem solver who turns and sorts out the "Bonnie Situation" which refers to Jule's friend, Jimmy's wife, Bonnie who will come home from work any time. The character of Winston would of course later appear in a series of UK parody television adverts for Directline.com

And Harvey's best scene comes when Vincent disputes Winston's straight talking no-nonsense manner and says to him "A please would be nice" and Winston, taken aback asks "Come again?" and Vincent says "A please would be nice".  So, Winston tells Vincent "Get it straight, buster. I'm not here to say please. I'm here to tell you what to do. And if self-preservation is an instinct you possess, you'd better fuckin' do it and do it quick. I'm here to help. If my help's not appreciated, lotsa luck, gentlemen!".

So, Jules tries to step in to diffuse the tension and says "No, it ain't like that, Mr Wolf, you're help is definitely appreciated!" and Vincent says to Winston "Mr. Wolf, listen. I don't mean disrespect, okay? I respect you. I just don't like people barkin' orders at me that's all".  So, Winston says "If I'm curt with you, its because time is a factor.  I think fast, I talk fast and I need you guys to act fast if you want to get out of this.  So pretty please, with sugar on top, clean the fuckin car!".

Another good scene is when Winston gets Jimmie to get a bunch of blankets together to cover over the bloodied seats of Jules's car and Jimmie explains his concerns about his bedset being used as it belong to his Aunt Jenny. So, Winston in the scene asks "Let me ask you a question, Jimmie. Was your Aunt Jenny a millionaire?" and Jimmie says "No" and Winston tells him "Well, your Uncle Marsellus is and I'm positive he will furnish you with a whole new set". So, Winston takes out a wad of dollar bills and says to Jimmie "I like oak myself. How about you, Jimmie? Are you an oak man?" and Jimmie with little choice says "Oak's nice" and Winston starts counting out the money.

And last of all is the scene where Winston, Jules and Vincent successfully dispose of Marvin and the tainted car and they meet his girlfriend, Raquel. So, in the scene Winston offers them a ride but when they tell them where the live, Winston looks to the skies and says "Its your future...I see...a cab ride! Way out of the sticks, fellas!" and he says to Raquel "Say good night, Raquel" and she sarcastically repeats "Goodnight, Raquel!". Jules and Vincent then both thank Winston saying it was a pleasure to watch him work and Winston smiles and says "Call me Winston" and then he heads to his car with Raquel and says to her "You see young lady! That's respect! Respect shows character" and Raquel protests "I HAVE character!" and he tells her "Just because you ARE a character doesn't mean you HAVE character!". 

Christopher Walken who makes a cameo appearance in the film as the solider who gives Butch as a child, his father's watch, is also great and his long speech is nicely written and also pretty funny.

And of course there is funny moment where he tells the young Butch "The way your dad looked at it, this watch was your birthright. He'd be damned (in Walken's unique style!) if any slope's gonna put their greasy, yellow hands on his boy's birthright, so he hid it in one place he knew he could hide something... his ass!  Five long years he wore this watch up his ass. Then he died of dysentery...He give me the watch. I hid this uncomfortable hunk of metal up my ass two years. Then...after seven years, I was sent home to my family and...now...little man, I give the watch to you!".

Maria de Medeiros is also good in the film as Butch's girlfriend, Fabienne although it has to be said that she get's the worst of Tarantino's dialogue given that she has to say lines such as "Pot bellies are sexy!" and "I'm gonna order a big plate of blueberry pancakes... with maple syrup, eggs over easy and five sausages!".  So in all honesty I'm not going to bother quoting any of her scenes here just for the sake of time (sorry!).

And lastly Quentin Tarantino also can't resist putting himself in the film in his small role as Jimmy who through little choice has to help out Jules and Vincent with their problem and his performance in all honesty isn't that great but he does what he can. However some of his delivery feels like he is trying to remember some of his lines particularly when says how Bonnie is working "the graveyard shift at the hospital!" it just feels weird and unnatural. Basically Quentin, stick to the directing and writing, that's what your good at!

And Tarantino's most noteworthy scene comes when Jules compliments Jimmy on how good his coffee is and asks what flavour it is and Jimmy says "Knock it off, Julie!".  And Jules asks "What?" and Jimmy angrily tells him "I don't need you to tell me how fuckin' good my coffee is. I'm the one who buys it. I know how good it is. When Bonnie goes shopping, she buys shit! I buy the gourmet expensive stuff 'cause when I drink it, I wanna taste it. But you know what's on my mind right now? It ain't the coffee in my kitchen. It's the dead n***** in my garage!".

So, as Jules tries to calm Jimmy, Jimmy interrupts him and asks "When you came pulling in here, did you notice the sign on the front of my house that said, "Dead N***** Storage"?".  And as Jules is about to reply, Jimmy asks louder "Did you notice the sign on the front of my house that said, "Dead N***** Storage"?!!".  And Jules says No, I didn't" and Jimmy asks him "You know why you didn't see that sign?" and Jules asks "Why?" and Jimmy yells "Cause it ain't there, 'cause storing dead n****** ain't my fucking business, that's why!".

And Jimmy then tells Jules "Now, look, you know, she comes home from work in about an hour and a half. The graveyard shift at the hospital. You gotta make some phone calls? You gotta call some people? Well, then, do it, and then get the fuck out of my house before she gets here!".  And as Jules tries to reassure Jimmy that "We don't wanna fuck your shit up" Jimmy angrily yells "You're fucking my shit up right now! You're gonna fuck my shit up BIG TIME if Bonnie comes home!  Do me that favor, all right? The phone is in my bedroom. I suggest you get going!".

DIRECTION AND MUSIC 

As for the director himself, Quentin Tarantino does a great job here of course and technically it is also pretty good film and as he did with Reservoir Dogs he employs the use of long takes in certain scenes and even has a little nod to Brian De Palma with the scene where we see Butch on the right edge of the frame, exhausted on the run from a groggy Marcellus who went see in the distance on the left of the shot.  He also makes good use of visual creativity, such as in the scene with Fabienne's reflection standing inside the motel room TV while an action film is playing. Perhaps time wise the film does feel a bit flabby in places with certain scenes overrunning but for the most part this is certainly one of Tarantino's very best efforts. The film is also remarkable for having cost just $8.5 million to make and it recouped its money and made a profit of over $200 million at the box office.

As for the music in the film it features a memorable soundtrack made up of tracks such as Dick Dale's "Miserlou", and Kool n the Gang's "Jungle Boogie", Aretha Franklin's "Son of a Preacher Man" as well as other songs like "Countin flowers on the wall" by the Statler Brothers, "Comache" by The Revels, used during the hillbilly rape scene and Chuck Berry's "You Never Can Tell" used during Vincent and Mia's dance.  

FLAWS (Warning: this section may also contain spoilers!)

As for flaws....yeah well as good as Pulp Fiction is, it still has some worth mentioning.

And for starters, I do think that the film could be a little shorter as certain scenes do feel a bit panned out.  And for examples sake the scenes between Butch and Fabienne do drag on a bit, and are the only fairly tedious scenes in the film, especially with Fabienne wittering on, about wishing she had a pot belly like "Madonna did when she did Lucky Star!". At this point you want to just hit the fast forward button as the dialogue starts to get a bit cringe worthy! Further to this, I think its also a bit fair to say that Fabienne is a bit too cutesy a character for the film itself as she is quite a contrast to the rest of the hard boiled gangsters and molls we get but maybe that's the point I guess.    

And one of the few things that does leave me slightly uncomfortable about Pulp Fiction is the somewhat racist element on the dialogue, especially as the N word is repeatedly used in many scenes, such as Lance the drug dealer saying to Vincent about his deals "Am I a n*****?  Are we in Inglewood??" as well as Jimmie saying to Jules "when you pulled in here, did you see a sign on the front of my house saying dead n*****storage??".  It does show the film has an uncomfortable mix of humour blended in with racism, and it was the same in Reservoir Dogs where e.g. Harvey Keitel's character, Mr White, talks about "How is it every n***** I know treats their women like a piece of shit?".

I also though that in the redneck scene where Marsellus is sexually assaulted by one of the good ole boys, it does appear very stereotypical in its depiction of these characters and it almost like Quentin threw in the sodomy scene for shock effect more than anything else.  Its almost like Tarantino is doing a nod to the classic 1970's thriller "Deliverance" where Ned Beatty's character is also sexually assaulted by hillbillies.

Another issue is to do with the idea of Winston driving the tainted car with Marvin's dead body in it as he tells Jules and Vincent that he will drive that car and he gives Vincent the keys to his own Acura sports car.  So in the scene Winston tells Vincent "I drive real fuckin fast, so keep up" but if he does that then surely they will get pulled over by the police!  So, in this instance wouldn't it be better for Winston to exercise a little care when he is driving a car containing a dead body rather than belt it out at 90 miles an hour and risk being pulled over and arrested!

Then of course there is the continuity flaw in the scene where the guy in the bathroom bursts out and unloads his magnum at Jules and Vincent only to miss them both and the bullets go into the wall instead.  However if you look carefully before this scene, the bullet holes are already in the wall!  This however is already a well noted continuity flaw in the film itself, so I guess its nothing new but still worth pointing out all the same.

And further to this point, its surprising that the cops aren't alerted at all in any of the scenes involving gunfire in this film, not even where Marsellus shoots at Butch on the streets in broad daylight! I mean Jules and Vincent unload on Brett and his associates in an apartment with loud 9mm guns but NOTHING is heard or done about it, so no one calls the cops! I guess it was just a very apathetic neighborhood I guess where gun crime is so rife no one can be bothered to call the police! And even further to this, why DIDN'T Jules and Vincent use guns with silencers instead to keep things quiet?! I mean they even talk about using shotguns and that would be even worse! Ah well, we're not talking about real life here as it is a Tarantino film after all. 

This bring up another issue of continuity where Vincent refers to watching a TV show called "Cops" when earlier he clearly stated "I don't watch TV" to Jules when Jules talked about Mia's TV pilot. Now, Tarantino could have done this on purpose to mess with people and shift the narrative on purpose, as he does do this also with Honey Bunny's dialogue from the opening scene of the diner robbery. However, it is just a strange shift to go from "I don't watch TV" to "You ever watch that show cops?" and not even Jules thinks to remark on this either although his mind is probably still reeling from their narrow escape.

Another problem I had with the film was to do with Butch's choice when he went back to his apartment to get his watch and THEN go in and make himself some pop tarts in the kitchen!  I mean what hell???!  Surely to God he should have just got his watch and left the apartment straight away!  However I guess the flip side is that by killing Vincent that's one other problem dealt with but on the other hand even though Butch saves Marsellus's life, he does also kill one of his main henchmen, so wouldn't that also cancel out Marsellus's new found faith in Butch??!  Just maybe  In short, Butch really should have just left the apartment straight away than hang about to make breakfast for himself.

I also though it was strange how Butch appears to have the same dream about being a kid and receiving the gold watch and that he wakes up startled. It begs the question: is this the only dream Butch has? If so then I'm kind of surprised that Fabienne wouldn't be used to him having this dream by now when she said she was startled by him and she even asks "Did you have a bad dream?". Then again maybe he only has the dream when he is under stress and there is a lot on his mind and there certainly was in this film! And to be fair Butch does refuse to tell Fabienne as he says "its rare that I remember my dreams".

There are also another couple of oddities in the story such as the scene where Vincent tells Jules that he doesn't watch TV and he later on asks Jules if he watched a show called "cops" which totally negates what he said to Jules earlier! Now, you could argue that Vincent was being sarcastic in his response that he doesn't watch TV earlier in the film but it is still a bit bizarre how Tarantino doesn't refer back to it in the script at that point although clearly Jules's mind is elsewhere after their near death experience. 

Also was it really a good idea for Vincent to shoot up heroin just BEFORE he is due to go off and pick up his boss's wife for a dinner date?!  I mean what if he crashed the car enroute or worse crashed it while he was driving her to dinner?! I guess its OK for Mia to get all coked up since she won't be driving but not so much for Vincent surely! But again it is a Quentin Tarantino film where gangsters can shoot up people in neighbourhoods, scream and shouts as they do it as well as get pissed up on drugs and booze and drive cars at the same time!   

And last of all is the change of dialogue in the scene where Honey Bunny says in the opening scene "Any of you fucking pricks MOVE and I'll execute every single last motherfucking one of ya!" and later on the dialogue changes during the robbery finale itself. And it changes to "Any of you fucking pricks move and I'll execute everyone one of you motherfuckers!". I always felt that this changed was mainly pointless even if Tarantino himself argued that its from a different perspective but even so I think he could easily have kept the dialogue the same as it works much better than the changed version.

Anyway that's it for the flaws.

SUM UP

So, to sum up, Pulp Fiction is easily one of Quentin Tarantino's very best films and its script and cast are both top notch and direction is by large terrific and sharp and he even makes good use of panning shots and fills frame at times in a creative way (where we see Lance's reflection in the mirror of his bedroom as he lays out on it being one). The film also has a very memorable soundtrack with the unforgettable "Miserlou" at the beginning and the use of other tracks such as "Jungle Boogie" by Kool n the Gang. 

And yes it does have some minor flaws and some plot holes and yes even some of the dialogue is a bit cringey at times and yes it does come across as being quite racist at times. However if you forgive it all that, Pulp Fiction is still one of the best films of its era and of the 1990's.

So, I will rate it:

9.5 out of 10 

Right, that's it for now and I'll return with another before the end of the month.

Till then bye for now! 

 

Dirty Harry Review "Every dirty job that comes along..."

 

 

 

 

 

Well, I thought I would get another review in before the end of the month and this one is a redo of a very old post on this blog, which is the crime thriller classic, Dirty Harry. So, this will be expanded quite a bit since its an old post but I will try and not overdo the sections too much (for a change, well try at least!).

So, with that said, let's take another look at this classic and see how it fairs 55 years on from its release... 

Also the usual warning is coming...

PLOT SPOILERS AHEAD!!!  

STORY 

So, the plot begins with a serial killer nicknamed Scorpio (Andy Robinson) who kills a girl in a swimming pool by sniping her from a rooftop.  The investigating police officer, Inspector Harry Callahan (Eastwood) finds a ransom note which he takes to the mayor (John Venon), which reveals that Scorpio demands $100,000 and if it isn't delivered he will kill one person a day until they pay him.  The mayor then decides to put Callahan in charge of investigating the case although he is reluctant to at first due to Callahan's rebelious nature.  

Later at a local diner, Callahan spots a bank robbery take place across the street and he kills two of the robbers and injures the last one, and he stands over him saying the immortal line "I know what you're thinking?  Did he fire six shots or only five?" to which he asks the robber "do I feel lucky? Well do ya, punk?" the robber relents from picking up his shotgun, but says to Callahan he's got to know, and Callahan pulls the trigger which clicks to reveal the chamber is empty, and he smiles as he walks off.

Callahan is later assigned a rookie partner, Chico Gonzalez (Reni Santoni) whom Callahan is wary of at first as he feels assigning someone so inexperienced will most likely get them killed.  Scorpio commits another murder as he has killed a young black boy, leaving the police to deduce that he might kill a catholic priest next (as he stated in his ransome note).  This soon leads to Callahan and Chico steaking out a rooftop at night to try and capture Scorpio, with whom they soon engage in a gunfight, but Scorpio escapes and kills a police officer disguise as a priest in the process.  Scorpio next up kidnaps, assaults and buries a girl alive, and he warns the police that he wishes to double his ransome to $200,000 or else he will kill the girl.  The mayor finally relents and insist that Callahan deliver the money to Scorpio to end the killings, to which Callahan reluctantly agrees to but he thinks that Scorpio will kill the girl regardless. 

Later that night Scorpio has Callahan run between various payphones throughout the city to ensure that he isn't being followed.  Callahan eventually faces Scorpio, who beats him up and sadistically tells him that he has changed his mind and he will kill the girl, prompting Callahan to stab Scorpio in the leg, who limps away and escapes again after a quick gunfight with Chico, who is injured as a result.  Chico soon after decides to resign his duties as his wife is concerned for his life, leaving Callahan to carry on investigating alone.  

Callahan however is soon given a new partner, who informs him that Scorpio has been seen in Kezar stadium, where Callahan later goes at night and finds Scorpio, shooting him in the leg, he tortures Scorpio by stepping on his wounded leg, who eventually relents and reveals where the girl is, but they are too late to save her.  Callahan is then soon outraged to learn from the DA that as Callahan unlawfully searched his home without a warrant and seized his rifle, that they cannot charge Scorpio.  

After this Callahan is ordered to stop following Scorpio, after the serial killer pays a thug to give him a severe beating, which he blames Callahan for publicly.  Scorpio's next move involves kidnapping a group of school children on a bus and he phones the mayor asking for a new ransome and a plane so he can leave the country.  The mayor requests Callahan deliver the ransome again, but Callahan refuses and sets off to hunt down Scorpio and stop him once and for all.

THOUGHTS 

Dirty Harry is without a doubt a real classic thriller, and it started a new trend in gritty cop films, in which we see Callahan is a real anti-hero, who to resort any measure to stop criminals.  The film itself was a long time in development and at one time it was actually originally cast for John Wayne who turned it down as he felt the script glorified violence.  Frank Sinatra was also cast in the role but he sustained an injury and was unable to do it, which left the role open for casting with Clint Eastwood not being the top choice, as Robert Mitchum and Burt Lancaster were both considered, who both turned down the part.  Eastwood was eventually cast in the part but insisted that the film was set in San Franciso and he was drawn to the part due to Callahan's concern for the victims of violent crime, and the film reflect the politics of the law at that time which saw the victims rights being trampled on. 

PERFORMANCES AND NOTABLE SCENES (Warning: this section may contain spoilers!) 

Getting onto the performances, the cast are all on very good form.  

Starting with Clint Eastwood, who is perfect in his role as "Dirty Harry" or Inspector Callahan, the tough, hard headed cop who will take any measure necessary to ensure justice is served.  Callahan despite his tough and gritty nature still remains a decent cop however and he very much shows his concern for the victims as well as for his partner Chico.  Callahan also shows alot of contempt for the system especially when Scorpio is let go as there is insufficent evidence to press charges against him, which sees the criminals given more rights than the victims.  

Eastwood has plenty of memorable scenes in the film, starting with the scene where he speaks to the mayor who warns him about causing no trouble like he did the year before in the Fillmore District and the mayor says "I don't want any trouble like you did in the Filimore District. Is that clear? That's my policy".  So, Callahan replies "Well when a naked man runs after a women with the intent to commit rape, I shoot the bastard, that's my policy!" to which the mayor masks why he thinks that's and Callahan replies "well when I see a naked man with a butcher knife chase after a women with a hard-on, I hardly think he's out collecting for the red cross!".  

Then there is the famous scene where Callahan goes up to the robber at the start and says his famous line "I know what you're thinking. Did he fire six shots or did he fire five? Well, to tell you the truth, I've forgotten in all this excitement. However since this a .44 magnum and it could blow your head clean off, you gotta ask yourself the question: "Do I feel lucky?".  Well do ya, punk?".  

Then there is the sene where Harry and his new partner, Chico are out on duty at night and Harry spies a young woman who get's undressed, and he is beaten up by some nearby thugs.  Later on, Harry talks a man out of jumping off a roof by saying "Can you give me your name and address?" and the would-be jumper asks "Why?" and Harry says "Its just a mess when they jump, you never know who's who?" and the jumper graons and says "I think Im gonna puke!" and Harry grabs and punches him and brings him down in a crane. So, after they are down Harry turns to Chico and says "Now you know why they call me Dirty Harry.  Every dirty job that comes along!".   

Then there is the scene where he tells Chico's wife that he had a wife himself once but she died and he understands why Chico wants to quit. So, in the scene, Harry says "I want you to tell Chico, that I understand him quitting, I think he's right. This is no life for you". Chico's wife then asks "Why do you stay in it then?" and Harry says "I don't know. I really don't". 

Later in the mayor's office, after Scorpio publicly blames his arranged beating on Callahan when he is shown bandaged up on TV. So, the police chief asks Harry "Have you been following this man?" and Harry says "Yeah, I've been follwing him on my own time but anyone can see I didn't do that to him!" and the chief asks how and Harry replies "Because he looks too damn good that's how!".   

Then there is the scene where Harry angrily confronts the mayor and the chief about paying Scorpio another ransom after kidnaps a school bus. So, the chief asks Harry "Callahan, will you take the money to him?" and Harry angrily says "When will you people stop messing around with this guy? He's gotta be stopped now!". The Mayor then angrily says "He's a got a busload of kids and I can't take that chance! I promised him he would not be molested and gave him my word and that's a direct order, Callahan!!". Harry however fed up finally says "Well, just get yourself another delivery boy" and walks out. 

And last of all is the scene where Harry finally catches up with Scorpio and shoots him in the shoulder and taunts him by saying "I now what you're thinking? Did he fire six shots or five?". So, Harry then asks the famous question "Do I feel lucky?" and he furiously asks "Well, do ya, PUNK??!!". Scorpio unlike the bank robber at the start of the film, does go for the gun and Harry finally shoots Scorpio dead once and for all before throwing his detective badge in the river. 

Andy Robinson is also really good as the killer, Scorpio, and he plays him quite creepily and he does cut an intimidating and sinister villain.  

Robinson's memorable scenes include when he bounces Callahan all around the city as Scorpio has kidnapped a gilr. So, Harry finally is brought to Scorpio, who eventually confronts him and beats him up, and he says "Don't you pass out, no don't you pass out, you rotten stinking oinker!" and he confesses "I've changed my mind, I'm going to let her die! I just wanted you to know that before I kill you!" but Chico soon turns up to save Harry.   

Another good scene is where Scorpio pays a thug to beat him up and as the thug beats him severely, the thugs asks "Are you sure you want the rest of it?" and Scorpio, who looks bloody and battered (and a bit like Quasi Modo!) says with contempt "Every last penny, you black son of a bitch!". So, the man then kicks him and then drags him outside and he says "This one's on the house!" and he kicks him again.  

Then there is possibly Robinson's most chilling moment is where he kidnaps the kids on the school trip and he starts off nicely by getting them to sing "Row row row your boat". However, as one of the kids asks where they are going, he soon turns nasty when one of the kids says they want to go home, and he hits the boys and says "What's the matter with you?!  Sing!  I'm gonna kill all your mothers!" and he signs manically "Row row row your boat gently down the stream! Merrily, merrily merrily, life is but a dream!!" before we see Harry turn up ahead ontop of a bridge.  

John Vernon is also really good in his role as the San Francisco mayor, who warns Callahan not to harm Scorpio in his attempts to deliver the ransome.

So, I will mention two of his scene, with the first being a meeting with Callahan and the mayor warns Harry "Callahan...I don't want anymore trouble like you did in the Filimore district, you understand? That's my policy". So, Harry then says "Well, when an adult male is chasing a woman with the intent to rape, I shoot the bastard, that's my policy!". So, Mayor then asks "How'd you establish that?" and then  Harry replies "When a naked man with a butcher knife and a hardon runs after a woman, I don't think he's collecting for the red cross!" and the mayor says "he's got a point!".  

Last of all is Reni Santoni is pretty good in his role as Chico, Callahan's rookie partner who get's some good lines, and after Callahan get's berated by the police chief, Chico says "So that's why they keep calling him Dirty Harry. He keeps getting the shit end of the stick!". 

DIRECTOR 

Moving onto the direction, Eastwood's long time collaborator, Don Siegel does a terrific job here and he keeps the pacing tight and the suspense high, and he stages some impressive action sequences, with the best one being the climactic chase sequence at the end as Callahan goes after Scorpio, as Callahan chases Scorpio on the school bus and eventually to a rock quarry. Siegel also makes good use of many locations in San Francisco such as the city hall, Dolores park and Kezar stadium where Harry tortures Scorpio. Eastwood himself directed one scene of the film also, which is the scene where Harry tries to talk down the jumper.  

SOUNDTRACK  

As for the soundtrack, I have to mention the film's notable score, which is by Argentine-American  composer, Lalo Schifrin, which has a very distinctive and funky feel, with its great use of percussion, piano and guitar, which incorporates some really good dramatic passages, not to mention some funky ones. Schifrin would go on to score three more of the Dirty Harry films except for the Enforcer in 1976, which was scored by Jerry Fielding.

FLAWS

As for the flaws, well yeah Dirty Harry does have some minor ones worth a mention. 

For starters, you could argue the plot is pretty thin and standard stuff with a serial killer on the loose in town and it takes one man to take him down. Its nothing particualrly new in itself although the angle of police brutality from Callahan does add an interesting spin on things to make it stand over what could have been a generic thriller. 

Another issue is to do with the law letting Scorpio go free after Callahan dishes out a brutal confession from Scorpio, despite the fact that Scorpio clearly murdered the girl he had kidnapped. They also have evidence of the simple fact that Scorpio also brutally assaulted Callahan himself prior to this and he had the scars to prove it! So, the idea of letting Scorpio walk only to let him kill again is pretty ridiculous, even the district attorney is naive to the notion of Scorpio killing again, yet Callahan has to remind him that he will for sure do it again. 

I also thought the idea of bouncing Callahan all around town was a bit strange from the stand point of just how was Scorpio keeping tabs on Callahan in the dark at night. I guess he was using binoculars to try and keep an eye on him in between drops but given Callahan has to also go on the subway, it was impossible for him to keep tabs on him at all times (although Scorpio does admit he couldn't keep tabs all the way I guess). 

It has to be said that despite Scorpio's brutal beating, he didn't look too bad after he got out of hospital, as he simply had a few scars and a bandage over his nose. Not only that but but earlier on, Scorpio checked into the emergency hospital for his knife wound but later Callahan shoots him in the leg with his magnum but given the power of his gun, its surprising the damage done wasn't even worse!  

Lastly, I cannot finish without mentioning the blood in the film, which looks ridiculous and completely unrealistic as it has a rather bizarre colour to it and doesn't resemble the natural colour of blood itself. This is most obvious in the scene with the bank robber and his bloody arm, which looks just like he's had some bright red paint spattered all over it! So, yeah the effects for the blood are far from perfect here and definitely one of the drawbacks of the film.

So, that's it for the flaws.

SUM UP

So, to sum up, Dirty Harry remains a great classic crime thriller with Eastwood playing one of the most memorable figures in modern pop culture in Harry Callahan and he is perfect at playing the anit-hero. The supporting cast are also good with Andy Robinson being very good also as the creepy villain, Scorpio and John Vernon as the ineffective city mayor. The score of Lalo Schifrin is also very memorable with its use of atmospheric strings and guitar and Siegel's direction is pretty solid overall. So, despite any minor flaws, the film is still a classic and well worth watching as well as a great intro to one of cinema's most memorable characters.

So, I will rate Dirty Harry

9 out of 10 

So, that's it for now and I will be back with another post next month.

Until then its bye for now punks!