Il giustiziere della notte 5

Gangsters have bullied and murdered a woman. Now they had better watch out, because her fiancée is none other than Paul Kersey – and it's time for Mr. Bronson to dispense some more swift justice!

While this entry in the Death Wish series doesn't have the highest body count (see part 3 for that) and isn't the most grim and gritty (see part 2), it is the most sadistic. You see, in previous films Bronson got his wrathful business done with his trusty sidearm – but we get some variation in this one. Here he breaks out a marvelous assortment of deadly amusements such as the exploding soccer ball and poisoned pasta mentioned in other reviews – all seen in graphic detail as they work their murderous magic. Add to that the stress on facial disfigurement and scenes involving torture by steam press, plastic wrapping machine, and radial saw – and you have a new and wonderfully vicious formula for more Death Wish mayhem.

This is not the best in the series, but Bronson's presence alone gives it distinction, and it manages to make the most of the obviously very limited budget. If you're a fan of the series like me, you'll enjoy it in all its unpleasant, uncompromising glory.

Whatever you do, don't shack up with Paul Kersey, or you'll regret it - The fifth outing for Bronson in his famous vigilante series. Even in his 70's gunning down scum is never on the bottom of his priorities list. Now any movie ending with a Roman numeral may put off some people, but this movie is totally enjoyable and you'll cheer Charles everytime he guns down members of the mob headed by a very nasty mob boss. The Death Wish quintology ranks right up there with the Godfather and Star Wars Trilogy.

With his cousin and long-time partner Yoram Globus gone after the private feud that errupted when Cannon Films went bankrupt, Menahem Golan turned to schlock producers Ami Artzi and Damian Lee to produce the fifth entry of the series. Surprisingly, especially considering the general quality of their output, they manage to improve on the poor quality of DEATH WISH 4. The production values (as low budget as they may be) aren't as cheap as they were before, Bronson is a bit more lively in his performance, and the screenplay tries more for a story of substance. What really makes the movie fun at times is its twisted sense of humor. There's some nice black comic-moments, such as with one particular mobster's funeral scene, or the later plastic wrap sequence. Even better is Michael Parks' performance as the chief bad guy. His various comments (improvised?) about anything are hilarious, and he lays on the ham very thickly to be a lot of fun to watch.

It still could have been better. One of the two big problems with the movie is that it takes about half of the movie for Bronson to start his rampage of vengeance. Even with Parks' entertaining performance, you'll likely be squirming in your seat with impatience for Bronson to get it on. And when he *does* get it on, it's kind of underwhelming - there's not much of a body count, and the length of time between kills is relentlessly padded. At least the end results are not the worst way the series could have ended. (By the way, Golan actually announced "Death Wish 6: The New Vigilante" in the trade papers not long after this one was released, though his company going bankrupt put an end to that plan.)

Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) is in witness protection working as an architecture professor. He's dating New York fashion designer Olivia Regent (Lesley-Anne Down). The problem is that her gangster ex-husband Tommy O'Shea (Michael Parks) and father of her daughter Chelsea has pushed his way into her garment business. Tommy sends Flakes (Robert Joy) to attack her. Paul goes to DA Brian Hoyle (Saul Rubinek) for help. Police Lt. Vasquez has been trying to put away Tommy for 16 years. Tommy starts killing Olivia's workers who were cooperating with the police and the cops themselves. He kills Olivia and takes custody of Chelsea. Paul has no choice but to take on the mobster his way.

The story is not bad. There are some very good actors. Michael Parks is always a good villain. However, the franchise is tired and old. The grittiness has been replaced with cheesiness. Trying to do high fashion looks silly. The biggest problem may be doing the Toronto for New York bit. It simply devalues the reality of this world. It's also a little repetitive for his girlfriends to always have problems. Charles Bronson does what he does best but there is nothing new left. Also the ending is abrupt as if they ran out of money.

Charles Bronsan is back for the last time playing Paul Kersey. This outing he's fighting the Mafiso backed Unions after his fiancé gets disfigured and later killed. He also must save his fiancé's daughter who is also the daughter of the head Union boss. Contary to public perception, this isn't the worst of the series (that dubious honor would go to part 4). No this film is a step up from the previous one, and while it's not as great as part 3 was, it's still a pretty good watch. This was also Bronson's last theatrical film and I shed a tear when I heard of the great actors passing. He will be missed.

My Grade: B-

Eye Candy: Sharolyn Sparrow gets topless, as do some extras.