Family of Cops III: Under Suspicion

This may be the best of the 3 Family of Cops movies. The story is very good, and Charles Bronson shows a sense of humor. I wish that Angela Featherstone would have returned as his daughter, but that is a minor complaint. I would recommend this movie to anyone who likes a solid mystery.

"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!

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.

FAMILY OF COPS III marks the final film of Charles Bronson's career, made just before the onset of Alzheimer's caused him to retire from acting for good. It's something of an ignoble end, not because it's particularly awful, but because it's just so unmemorable. Sadly, Bronson went out with a fizzle rather than a bang.

The story follows on from the last two movies in the trilogy, with head honcho cop Bronson now in line for the role of police chief (isn't he a little long in the tooth?) while assisting his son in hunting for a murderer. Despite a few moments of interest scattered here and there, this is strictly paint-by-numbers film-making, devoid of any real suspense, excitement or thrills.

Bronson is old and frail and barely on screen, and the supporting cast just didn't do enough to gain my interest. The murder mystery storyline is predictable and aside from a decent car stunt there's little here to enjoy. Looks like I'll be remembering Bronson for his glory days in the '70s and '80s rather than for his roles in this safe, family-friendly fare.

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