Death Wish (1974)

Now we're talking. Charles Bronson, a man of few words, but with an amazing screen precence. 'Death Wish' from 1974 put him on the map as cinema's number one vigilante and spawned a number of sequels. He plays Paul Kersey, a middle class family man with liberal beliefs. Everything changes however when his home gets invaded by street punks who kill his wife and leave his daughter traumatised. Shocked by the police's inefficiency Kersey decides to clean up the streets on his own.

Charles Bronson gives a great performance. He is given a lot to work with in this movie and his transformation from being an everyday joe to a complete badass is gradual and very believable. The director, Michael Winner, obviously knows what he's doing and the music, composed by the legendary Herbie Hancock, is just fantastic and creates an amazing atmosphere.

The movie has a very dark outlook on modern day civilization and life in the big city. During the pursue of getting more and more civilized, human beings have lost their ability to deal with violent attacks. When threatened, modern people have to rely on the police, but what happens if the system doesn't work?

'Death Wish' seems to imply that it's not only a right, but a necessity for people to take the law into their own hands. Even though this solution of course is highly debatable, it's satisfying as hell to watch Kersey blast away crimminals with his six shooter and bringing old west justice back into the big city. It's uncomplicated, politcal incorrect and feels very refreshing.

In short this is exciting, old fashioned, no nonsense action at its best.