Death Wish 3 (DVD, 2004)

Chuck Bronson at his best. Watch him shoot tons of "Creeps". Best damn Bronson film! Say what you will about Van Damme, Segal, or any other imposter; Bronson is the real deal. Any movie with a rocket launcher is always great.

Without a doubt, the best of the death wish series. If you plan on seeing one Death Wish film, let this be it. Lots of action, memorable dialogue, and my favorite lead villain of all time. If you are a Bronson fan, you can't lose with this one. Death Wish 3 is full of technical problems no doubt, but for entertainment it consistantly delivers.

I also loved this movie with Charles Bronson as it carries on in the series. I bought this one to see how he takes charge of his life after all the lose he has had.

"Death Wish" is an undisputed classic; an icon of American cinema. It was what a good film should be. It had an engaging story, an accessible story, and drew the viewer in, making you root for Paul Kersey as he dispensed justice that was long past due. It made the viewer comtemplate the meaning of death penalties, whether state or citizen induced. And more importantly it was rooted in reality, we could empathize because it was happening in a world we recognized. The sequel, in it's commercial glory, still was engaging. It was the crime, and then Kersey seeking revenge and the strange satisfaction we got seeing each of the "punks" get offed. Both had memorable quotes, good performances from Bronson and supporting cast abound, were actually FILMED in the metropolis they were set in, and finally, the endings made you feel that somewhere justice still could be served. How "Death Wish 3" fell so far from the tree just churns my stomach. And considering Michael Winner helmed and Bronson starred, why weren't there any red flags thrown when it was obvious how far off the mark this film was heading...?

"Death Wish 3" has Kersey returning to New York (or maybe New London is a better title since only establishing shots were filmed in NYC) to visit an old friend. Naturally, moments before Kersey arrives his buddy is the victim of a home invasion and beat to death. Kersey then takes war to the "new" punk gangs running New London into the ground and terrorizing the streets.

"Death Wish 3" has many reasons why it failed. The most being London substituting New York. They look NOTHING alike. Anyone who has visited NYC knows how packed the city is, how many people are on the streets day or night.
New London, as seen in the film, is muggy, small, deserted (those extras must have demanded a high salary!), and it doesn't help seeing a red UK phone booth in the background. In all honesty, it nagged me so much it nearly ruined the film. The supporting cast is terrible. A couple of the punks stand out (Alex Winter of "Bill and Ted"), but most of the cast is lazy and uninspired. Bronson's lines are very limited and none of them memorable like the first 2 films ("You believe in Jesus? Well, now you're gunna meet him."), even Bronson looks annoyed.

And the final nail in the coffin is the implausibility of "Death Wish 3". There is NO law and order in New London. The punks run rampant and blow up stores for fun. Bronson runs around and shoots people with a Korean-War machine gun and even packs a bazooka; the minute he brandished the bazooka the film was dead to me. Bronson runs through the streets with a mammoth machine gun laying waste to dozens of "creeps"; it's not satisfying. What worked in "Death Wish" and "Death Wish 2" was that we got to see each individual punk get what they deserved. It was believable and we enjoyed it; here it's just over the top. And not to knock over the topisms because "Death Wish 4 The Crackdown" was the same, the only difference being it was done professionally and it was enjoyable. I loved "Death Wish 4", and how it was so much better than this beats me since they're very similar in story and motivation.

I could have lived without "Death Wish 3". I think most of the civilized world could have too. The first 2 are classics. Pure, indulgent, thought-provoking fun. Even "Death Wish 4" is satisfying. "Death Wish 3" is the black sheep of the series and can easily be avoided. In fact, it's more frustrating than the crimes.