Death Wish 4: The Crackdown

R

Released Nov 6, 1987

1h 39m

Action

Crime

Drama

List

25%

Tomatometer

8 Reviews

40%

Audience Score

5,000+ Ratings

Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson), who is no stranger to vigilante justice, is pulled back into the underworld of Los Angeles when the daughter of his new girlfriend, Karen (Kay Lenz), dies after an overdose of crack cocaine. Intent on seeing justice served, Paul goes after the kingpin who ultimately supplied the crack. As he hunts down the kingpin's minions, Paul starts taking out a large part of the city's drug-dealing population on a violent killing spree.

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Juan Carlos Coto

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

In this by-the-numbers revenge fantasy, Bronson delivers the expected crash-and-bang picture (perfect for popcorn munching), but except for a catchy opening and some twists near the end, Death Wish 4 has few surprises.

Rated: 1.5/4

Aug 19, 2021

Full Review

Kevin Carr

7M Pictures

more like a overtly violent after-school special rather than a cathartic vigilante movie

Rated: 3/5

Aug 22, 2012

Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

The best Death Wish movie since the first. There's more plot this time, and the bazooka finale won't be forgotten.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 21, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jul 26, 2005

Full Review

Steve Crum

Kansas City Kansan

Give up the revenge, too much already

Rated: 2/5

Oct 23, 2004

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a decent-enough entry within a far-from-flawless series of movies.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 1, 2003

Full Review

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Rami A

Give us a break with the revenge already.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/26/24

Full Review

Jelisije J

The best sequel from the Death Wish Series because the story was actually DIFFERENT.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I love Charles Bronson killing all the bad guys. Death Wish 2-4 is available on DVD for only $7.99 at Amazon. The movie is filled with non-stop excitement and Bronson killing the bad guys in some fairly creative ways. There are two plot twists with one of the detectives and a newspaper publisher, so the story isn't totally formulaic. I wish there were ten or more Death wish movies. They aren't great cinematically, but they are fun to watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I grew up watching this movie and I find it absolutely fantastic. Charles Bronson at his best. Is the best movie of the Death Wish series afyer the 2nd film. Spectacular, great plot and so much violence! It's an iconic one, despite many bad reviews which I really don't understand. This movie, for those who loves Charles Bronson and "Dirty Harry" movies with Clint Eastwood, is absolutely orgasmic. Must watch!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Charlie B takes up the boom boom again in a poor follow up to the utterly ridiculous, but not totally unenjoyable, 'Death Wish 3' (the series changed to numbers because producers were afraid American audiences would be unable to understand Roman numerals!). This time the wisher for death takes on some L.A. drug lords and works his way through them in his usual manner, when his girlfriend's daughter dies from an overdose. Despite being the most ludicrous entry, 'Death Wish 3' was still a fun ride in a genuine "so bad it's good" vibe. Restraint being damned, Michael Winner took the reigns off of logic and sense and just let go. It's awful bunkum really, but there's a few laughs to be had. With 'Death Wish 4', however, director J. Lee Thomson mistakenly tries a more serious effort, but it ends up just being a bit tired. Cannon were hoping for another success with the fourth outing, but unlike 3, it didn't bring in the money and ended up being a loss maker for the studio. In all honesty, it's not absolutely awful. It's just routine and rather forgettable. Thompson's direction is certainly a notch or two above Winner's, but by this stage, the Death Wish series had just completely outlived its welcome.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Significantly better than the disastrous predecessor, this film still barely qualifies as anything other than self-indulgent, gratuitous violence. Things blow up, people get shot, and Charles Bronson again seems to suffer no injuries. Has an actual plot, which elevates it artistically and entertainment-wise over the horrible Death Wish 3. A surprising twist makes this film an enjoyable romp, though still nothing to plan an evening around. Fun yet instantly forgettable.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

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J. Lee Thompson

Director

Charles Bronson

Paul Kersey

Kay Lenz

Karen Sheldon

John P. Ryan

Nathan White

Perry Lopez

Ed Zacharias

George Dickerson

Detective Reiner

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Death Wish V: The Face of Death

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Synopsis

Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson), who is no stranger to vigilante justice, is pulled back into the underworld of Los Angeles when the daughter of his new girlfriend, Karen (Kay Lenz), dies after an overdose of crack cocaine. Intent on seeing justice served, Paul goes after the kingpin who ultimately supplied the crack. As he hunts down the kingpin's minions, Paul starts taking out a large part of the city's drug-dealing population on a violent killing spree.

Director: J. Lee Thompson
Screenwriter: Gail Morgan Hickman
Production Co: Cannon Films
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 6, 1987, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.7M
Runtime: 1h 39m

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