Family of Cops 3 - Zigarren für den Killer

"Wahat did you just say, man? A flick, with BOTH Joe Penny and Charley Bronson starring in it?" This was my reaction when a friend one day noticed this picture in our local videostore. A gift from above, indeedy! This story's got no plot what so ever, but the characters strikes me as pure brilliance- thank you, Sheldon, for bringing us such an actionpacked story in such a delicate wrapping! It is pure delight to watch Pennys 'iwanttobeBruceWillis' facts and questionable gesticulations, especially in the touching scene were he shares his mistakes in the force with the viewers. And his family of cops, of course... Watching Bronson, in what might be one of his last movies, makes me shiver with respect and nostalgia. This man, this symbol of action and mistaken manhood, has been working hard since the 50's, and that's not hard to tell. the man is tired, no doubt about it. But a big actor? Indeed!

Right why is people saying "Bronson can't move like he used to, Clint can and he's the same age". Well first of all he's 78 when doing this, and Clint Eastwood whom i'm a big fan of also is 69 or 70 at the time this was made. I'm saying this because someone said he can't move like Clint and they are in the same age group. Well 9 years is a big difference when you get in your 70's. I mean look at Bronson in Kinjite, Death Wish 5. He's knocking on and he still moves great and fast for he's age, the same as Clint. So i hope i've made my point on that one. As for this film, it's is great to see Bronson ending a great career with some good acting. I mean come on he's acting great there, what wrong with it. Nothing... But this is only a film for the Bronson fans to watch, But they might be some millions of people who will like too. And it's also horrible knowing it's he's last film. But still he's made a lot of films to watch the keep us happy. I hoped that he'd apear in a film with Arnold and Sly but looks like theres no chance now. But any way enough of everyone slagging it off, it's a great detective film.

CHARLIE YOU'VE HAD A GREAT CAREER AND YOU'VE MADE MILLIONS AT THE BOX OFFICE.

8/10

The Apollo Movie Guide was right. Since I hadn't seen the first two, I was lost during this one, but Blockbuster still has that "30-Rental's, $30" special running and I saw a title I'd never heard of, saw it starred one of my favorite actors (Bronson), so I picked it up.

Within the first few minutes I realized that this was not the Charles Bronson I knew. I really hope not to insult an icon I highly respect, but all I could think of was how the same thing had happened to Rutger Hauer (in "Tactical Assault"). Where had the lean, athletic, handsome, complex, and versatile man gone? Marlon Brando also came to mind for the same reasons. I know people do get older, but Charles seemed to be struggling to get out each and every line and his movements seemed slow and cautious, like he was afraid he'd fall and break. There wasn't even the slightest bit of the fire that has burned in him in every movie he's done since 1951. It hurt me to see him this way. In the same age group is Clint Eastwood. Now, he is visibly aged, but the edge is still there as evidenced in "Space Cowboys".

What has happened, Charlie? Will this be your last movie? Can you ever be Paul Kersey again? I sincerely hope so.

Watching this last Family Of Cops film I have to wonder whether the Feins are the models for the Reagans of Blue Bloods. Certainly they are the Milwaukee Jewish version of the Irish Catholic Reagans. One also wonders if Charles Bronson would have done a future film where he became Chief of the Milwaukee PD. if bad health hadn't made this his farewell film.

Mayor Art Hindle brought that possibility up with Bronson as Bronson's eldest son Detective Joe Penny is investigating the shooting deaths of a prominent banker and Milwaukee mover and shaker and his wife in the bedroom of their home. Suspicion falls on the son, but then he's killed.

Years earlier Bronson was doing an investigation of the victim's bank for money laundering and was told to stop by the now outgoing Chief of the Milwaukee PD. When Bronson questions the chief they are attacked and the chief dies. Someone is most certainly tying up loose ends. But for the moment the whole Fein family is under a cloud.

No doubt Bronson was showing age and infirmity. Still the patriarchal role fits him well. Family Of Cops: Under Suspicion is not the greatest film to go out on, but hardly a disgrace.

And who knows if it weren't for the Feins we might not be enjoying Tom Selleck and his clan the Reagans.

Enjoyed this TV series starring Charles Bronson as Paul Fein and in this particular series I enjoyed him even more. Bronson played his role to perfection and acted like a professional cop who had almost served 40 years of service. In this picture Paul Fein is investigating different aspects of a banker's death, as well as, Ben Fein, (Joe Penny) and the fact that their is corruption in the police department and even the Mayor of the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin where this film is suppose to take place. One of his daughter's is expecting a child and the father of the baby does not want to marry her, so she is going to raise the child as a single mom with all the family supporting her. There is plenty of action with bullets flying all over the place and car chases over a bridge that opens up. It was great seeing this picture with Charles Bronson at the age of 77 years making a great TV series as a final swan song, he sure was a great actor and I am glad he was able to keep acting which was the love of his life.