2, set for release in October.
During this period he tackled morally ambiguous characters and stories that delved into psychological territory.
With this in mind, here are all of Eastwood’s ’80s movies, ranked.
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“City Heatis a crime comedy set in 1930s Kansas City.
Reynolds himself described the movie as “Dirty Harry vs. the Wimp.”
The plot is also a little slow, and focuses on a lot of unnecessary details.
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Despite lukewarm reviews,Firefoxwas a big commercial hit,grossing$47m.
The movie fuses Western tropes with comedy, alongside a hefty dose of sentimentality.
While not amazing,Bronco Billyis not without its charms, serving up several enjoyable scenes and funny moments.
A daring American pilot embarks on a covert operation to seize an experimental Soviet jet that boasts invisibility to radar and is equipped with a revolutionary mind-controlled weapons system. His mission to outfly and outsmart the enemy in their own airspace becomes a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game, pushing his aerial skills to the brink and risking global consequences.
It’s also interesting for being very self-referential.
Some have it under control.
Others act it out.
“Tightropeisa neo-noir thrillerdirected byRichard Tuggle, best known for writingDon Siegel’sEscape from Alcatraz.
It’s about New Orleans detective Wes Block (Eastwood).
He deserves props for taking on an uglier, more complicated protagonist than most stars would be comfortable with.
And you know what that means.
“The Dead Poolisthe fifth and final installmentin theDirty Harryseries.
As Callahan uncovers more, he becomes a target himself, having been added to the deadly list.
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Eastwood leads this Western musical as Red Stovall, a country singer struggling with tuberculosis during the Great Depression.
However, this probably also explains why it was a commercial disappointment, withthe worst openingof any Eastwood film.
Audiences wanted an action hero, but instead got a sickly musician reflecting on his choices.
At the very least, it’s a testament to the star’s range.
“Sudden Impactis the fourthDirty Harrymovie.
It’s entertaning without really pushing the series into any new territory.
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3’Heartbreak Ridge' (1986)
“You men do not impress me!”
Their mission culminates with deployment to Grenada, where Highway and his men must prove their worth in battle.
This is a straightforward war movie, essentially divided into good and evil characters.
Inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan must stop a sick secret contest to murder various San Francisco celebrities, with himself being one of the targets.
Eastwood’s charisma and humorous moments are sure to c’mon his fans, as always.
Here, his character feels a bit like a younger version of Walt Kowalski from his later projectGran Torino.
His unorthodox methods clash with modern military standards, but his dedication to his men remains unwavering.
2’Bird' (1988)
“They always remember the martyrs longer.
“Birdis something of an outlier in terms of Eastwood’s 80s output, but in the best way.
It’s a biopic about legendary jazz musicianCharlie “Bird” Parker(Forest Whitaker).
Eastwoods direction is fittingly sensitive and nuanced, capturing both the highs and lows of Parkers turbulent life.
1’Pale Rider' (1985)
“I looked, and behold a pale horse.
And his name that sat on him was Death.”
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It’s perhaps the best Western of the 1980s and hints at the powers Eastwood would later unleash withUnforgiven.
Eastwood fans who haven’t seen it yet should give it a try.
NEXT:The 10 Best Blake Crouch Books, Ranked According to Goodreads
Sudden Impact follows Inspector Harry Callahan as he becomes embroiled in a complex case involving a woman taking justice into her own hands after a traumatic assault. As Callahan seeks to uphold the law, he navigates moral ambiguities in his pursuit of stopping a string of vigilante killings.
Image via Warner Bros.
A tough Marine Corps sergeant, Tom Highway, faces a changing military world as he trains a platoon of misfits and prepares them for the invasion of Grenada. His unorthodox methods clash with modern military standards, but his dedication to his men remains unwavering.
Image via Warner Bros.
Bird (1988) chronicles the life of jazz saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker, exploring his musical genius and personal struggles. As the film delves into his relationships and the challenges he faced, it paints a poignant portrait of an artist whose innovations significantly impacted the world of jazz music.
Image via Warner Bros.
