Death Wish II

Architect Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) once again becomes a vigilante when he tries to find the five street punks who murdered his daughter and housekeeper, this time on the dark streets of Los Angeles.

Early on, we have a nasty rape scene with Larry Fishburne. I mean really, really nasty. So much so that this film goes above and beyond the darkness from the first film.

That aside, I would say this is every bit as good as the original, and now with more of the 1980s feel (for good reason). We have Bronson kicking more butt, and even with more of a focus (and less moral ambiguity) than before... and Mr. Gardenia returns to really cap off the pure awesome of this series.

Well, we don't get the great Herbie Hancock score of the first movie, but we do get Jill Ireland, Mrs. Bronson, in one of her last films, directed as Death Wish I and III, by Michael Winner.

We also get what I feel is the biggest collection of scumbags ever assembled. Thomas F. Duffy as Nirvana, Kevyn Major Howard as Stomper, Stuart K. Robinson as Jiver, Laurence Fishburne as Cutter, and E. Lamont Johnson as Punkut. It was fitting that the first kill occurred in a rat- infested building, and the last was an electrocution.

Vincent Gardenia is back to track down Kersey after he starts again in Los Angeles.

Unlike the serious and tragic first film, this is more focused and revenge-oriented. A good film, nonetheless.

Of all the Death Wish sequels, this was the best. I think once they got to up part 3 with all the machine guns and rocket launchers, then it started to get a little stupid. The story almost has an identical plot outline as the first one and the action is just as good, if not, then even better. The shootout at San Pedro park was awesome!!! The only difference is that they make Paul Kersey have more emotional interaction with the creeps he kills which makes it seem to be more "Hollywood". In the first Death Wish, Kersey would just kill them stone cold without having a conversation. That's why the original was so good as so realistic.

Death wish 2 is about Paul Kersey (Played by Charles Bronson) moving to California after giving up his vigilante ways in New York. When Paul's daughter is killed by muggers however he once again resumes his vigilante identity.

After watching the original Death wish movie I was a little un sure if I wanted to watch any of the sequels.

Mostly because while I liked the 1st movie I thought it was still pretty standard compared to other crime movies at the time like Dirty Harry.

Thankfully though the sequel Death Wish 2 blew everything out of the park.

Everything I felt that was lacking in the 1st movie was improved on and expanded in the sequel.

For example in the 1st movie the muggers kill Paul Kersey's wife and attack his daughter. You would think Paul would go after the muggers when he takes up being a vigilante but no he kills random muggers on the street which while more realistic feels a lot less satisfying.

In the second one not only does he go after the muggers that killed his loved one but he also does so in creative ways. In fact all the shoot em up scenes in the movie are far better in this movie.

The climax also a 100 times better as well and more personal.

There's also a nice romance in the movie with the love interest played by Charles Bronson's real life wife Jill Ireland. Its very fulfilling.

In fact that's the best way to describe Death Wish 2. Its very fulfilling.

Everything from the 1st movie that was lacking is back and improved upon making for a very fun and fulfilling action movie.

It's hard to believe that anyone who didn't like the first one wouldn't like this one. Bronson is back, this time avenging the death of his daughter and he's angrier than he's ever been. This one takes more of a action hero approach than the first one, but that's okay, you see, Bronson is a bad ass and that's all that matters. Movies like this aren't made to win best picture or best screenplay, they're made to be entertaining and filled with action, and that's what this is. Bronson has a great line he give to a punk just before he blows him away; he asks the punk if he believes in Jesus as the punk clutches a cross around his neck. The punk says "yes sir" so Bronson pauses and then tells him "you're going to meet him." Then he shoots him twice, it's great. Classic. I found no insight in this film, all I found was an awesome character who you can't get enough of that gets away with killing pieces of trash that rape, mug, and murder civilians. This formula is timeless, and the whole Death Wish series should be appreciated for proving so, because I'd watch one of these films before I watch any action film that may be produced today.