User reviews

The beginning of this final installment of the long-running "Death Wish" series is shaky with inappropriate humor (even the title comes off as a tasteless pun, as a central character is disfigured by having her face bashed into a mirror) and a lot of mobster-movie clichés (the henchmen to Michael Parks' villain are howling stereotypes), writer-director Allan Goldstein transforms "Death Wish 5" into a surprisingly entertaining little crime thriller. Though frequently riddled with inept moments (the mobsters unload round after round into walls after their target has jumped out of sight) and plot holes (how is Kersey tracking the bad guys, and since when did he become an explosives expert?), the film is the most well-developed of the series in terms of character, plot, and pacing. I've never seen Charles Bronson more convincingly expressive than he is here, and Michael Parks ("Kill Bill, Volume 2") is utterly reptilian in his loathsomeness. While the plot is essentially a repeat of the previous films, it contains a confident gloss that lifts it out of exploitation and closer to a mainstream film--it isn't entirely successful, but rooting for Bronson never gets old.

After years in L.A., Paul Kersey is back in New York with his new fashion-based designer fiancée Olivia Regent and along with her young daughter Chelsea. Kersey has put away his old habits, until Olivia's ex-husband Tommy O'Shea (who happens to be mob figure) uses her business to run an illegal money laundry scheme and tries at every optometry of scary her from testifying against him in court. They go one step to far when they disfigure and then later on kill Olivia. By law Chelsea is to live with her father. This tips Kersey's world up side down and vengeance mode comes kicking back in.

What a crying shame. I'm shocked to see the user rating for this "Death Wish" instalment to be so low. Making it by far the weakest of the series. I don't agree, but hey you can't have it all your own way, right. Anyhow, this was the filth and final "Death Wish" to date and it was actually the first one I ever saw. Maybe that's why I seem to cut it a bit more slack then say number four.

So, it's been going on for twenty years and Charles Bronson (who was around 70 at time) is still around looking to quite fit and rather animated. Definitely more so than his two previous efforts. Back to form with his dry, ice-cool persona and showing some feeling along the way. What I like about this outing (other than being a improvement over "Death Wish 4") is that it seems to go back to the dark underbelly and cruel vibe (maybe more so) that worked in the earlier forays. Kersey is up against more upper-class foes, than the usual street pests. At heart is goes back to the basic, heavy-handed revenge yarn, where the detailed situations are harrowing and the violence is simply cold-blooded. He might not want to return the favour (as firstly he lets the cop do their job), but his finally forced back into his beloved side-trade, as it's in the blood and the loved ones are taken away from him… again. Once you start, there is no going back… even when the police know his secret. The way he subtly toys around with the guilty criminals to get them rather anxious, waiting for their turn to be mowed down. Only adds to that ominously nasty touch that waits and the dark humour has real snappiness to it here. The deaths scenes are at times wickedly inventive (well it beats going up to someone and just shooting them) and rapid stunt work is exceptionally pulled off with such thrilling poise. Oh and how can I forget about the gratuitous slow motion? Some times it works and other times your thinking… "Oh why?". Anyhow you gotta love it on this occasion!

As director (and writer) Allan Goldstein stylishly tailored it on a much larger scale that seemed to pay dividends with its competently showy set pieces and crisp pacing. There's always something there to hold your interest. In all, there's no denying it's by the numbers and the predictable plot has a fair share of clichés grounding it. Although it goes out there to delve a little deeper into the material (a highly witty and concise script: "Idiots with guns, make me nervous".) and truly making you feel for the characters. The hammy bad guys are typically portrayed as slimy, ruthless tyrants that deserve what they get. You'll sure be cheering on Kersey here, after you cop a taste of the lively performances of Michael Parks (who's tremendously scummy as Tommy O'Shea) and Robert Joy (makes light work as the paranoid nutter Freddie 'Flakes'). Lesley-Anne Down's presence simply glows and is credibly good as Olivia Regent. Giving able support are Saul Rubinek, Kenneth Welsh and Miguel Sandoval. The technical side of the production is soundly staged. The special effects are put to good use and come off well. What is nailed down is a traditionally sounding music score that likes too flutter about with loud echoing cues and the standard camera-work sufficiently frames every shot with nice scope.

By me saying it shares some common ground with the original films. I guess you'll be hoping for something rough around the edges and some exploitation to fit right in. Too bad, as that isn't going to happen. Those looking for the obligatory rape scene too (which appears in basically all four), forget it. This one is going for the mainstream pool. Even the ending has that cop-out feel about it with what has gone all before it.

For all your troubles it's nothing more than a glossed up, blunt action/crime vehicle for Bronson, which manages to mix the good and not-so-good aspects of the series. Only fans should bother.

Charles Bronson here doesn't act, just coasts - even more than usual. Perhas we can't blame him - because the script is so poor, and the supporting actors so mediocre at best, with not a few laughably bad. The film's full of mobster clichés, to the extent that you wonder whether this is self-parody. It isn't - it's just dire; 'camp' in a kind of trashy way. By this forth sequel the franchise appears totally to have run out of steam, such that every barrel's been scraped to supply the content. You imagine that even the cast knew it, collected their cheques and ran...

I quite enjoyed some of the earlier films: this is so poor it's unworthy.

Extremely violent follow-up to the successful 1974 movie based on the characters written by Brian Garfield , whose novel the picture is based on . Last entry in the original five film series in which Kersey takes the law on his own hands , searching for vengeance against mobsters when his girlfriend is victimized again . The five-times-weary urban vigilant hits gangsters , this time , hard . Death Wish : The face of death¨(1994) that would be the last and it was then not made for about another seven years , being starred by with Leslie Anne Down , Michael Parks , Chuck Shamata , Saul Rubinek and Miguel Sandoval . Sequel to successful crime thriller that created the Vigilante genre with Bronson as the main star as architect Paul Kersey (wooding acting by Bronson who looks bored and tired with this rehash material) turned the one-man vigilante when his sweetheart , a clothing manufacturer (Leslie Anne Down) , has her business threatened , being attacked by mobsters , one of whom turns out to be her sadistic ex (Michael Parks) and a hired killer (Robert Joy) hitting her on a mirror .

This fifth entry with excessive violence concerns about Paul Kersey , an ageing architect who becomes again into vigilante and wiping out the band of mobsters . The main amusement results to be to guess the kinds of deaths that Bronson executes against the villains , as he carries out retribution and vendetta . This 5º outing from the novel ¨Death wish¨ by Brian Garfield in which an architect taking the law into his own revengeful hands and acting as judge , jury and executioner . It contains suspense, noisy action-packed , intrigue , thrills and lots of violence . Initial excitement at the welter of violence son palls into boredom , only intermittently relieved by the preposterousness . Mediocre screenplay manages a couple of nice twists , but it's too formulary to pursue the ambiguities it reveals . Here filmmaker emphasising a hostile , nightmare terrain and relying his virtually sympathies with the confused , violent Paul Kersey . Bronson with his usual stoic acting displays efficiently his weapons such as ¨Harry the Dirty¨ and killing mercilessly nasties . Screenwriter re-wrote the entire script while filming but Charles Bronson constantly had problems with the dialog . It's certainly thrilling , though the morality may be questionable , even in this time, as the spectators were clearly on the Kersey-Bronson's side . Furthermore , it benefits from some good support actors , as here appears a nice secondary cast , such as : Chuck Shamata , Michael Parks , Saul Rubinek , Miguel Sandoval , Kenneth Welsh , among others . It packs a screeching musical score composed, orchestrated and performed by Terry Plumeri . The studio, Cannon : Yoram Globus, Menahem and Damián Lee produced this one in enough budget . The motion picture was poorly directed by Allan Goldstein (2001 a space travesty , When Justice Fails , Home team , Jungle boy , Chain dance , Private lessons) .

The original film ¨Death wish¨ had great commercial hit , it was followed by various extremely violent sequels to this successful 1974 movie , that's , of course , the best from the series , being starred by Hope Lange , Stuart Margolin , William Redfield and Jeff Goldblum . This first big hit motion picture was middling directed by Michael Winner such as the successive films with his main star, Charles Bronson , usually giving wooden performance . In the mid-70 Winner , in need to other hit smashes attempted with the sequels , but both , Bronson and Winner , looked increasingly passionless and mechanical in the later years of their partnership in this cheap as well as worn-out final series . The worst sequels in which Kersey goes on to torture robbers , all of them inferior and the violence could be deemed exaggerated , they are the followings : ¨Death wish II¨ by Michael Winner with Jill Ireland , Anthony Franciosa , JD Cannon and Vincent Gardenia , ¨Death Wish III¨ by Winner with Ed Lauter , Martin Balsam , Gavan O'Herlihy and Deborah Raffin . However , Michael Winner showed no interest in directing Death Wish 4 because he had heard that Charles Bronson had a terrible experience filming Death Wish III (1985). Following ¨Death Wish 4 : The crackdown¨(1987) with Kay Lenz , John P Ryan , Perry López , Soon-Teck-Oh directed by J.Lee Thompson . In addition , an intended but unfilmed sixth movie was also to have a subtitle: 'Death Wish 6: The New Vigilante'.

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.

I don't know what's wrong with people. This installment has the lowest rating of the five films. Personally, I loved it. It's very well shot, lighting's great, lots of cheesecake supermodels, mannequins everywhere, a cool story idea, and a really well-acted villain.

With over 2300 viewed films under my belt and having worked in the film and television industry, I think I know a good movie when I see one.

So to those who were thinking of passing this one up, think again.

"Death Wish V: The Face of Death" only has one problem: It's pretty dumb. I'm a big fan of Charles Bronson. He made several classic movies. However, he did mail it in towards the end of his career. "Dearth Wish V" is one of his weaker efforts. Bronson is given some pretty good dialogue but it's not nearly enough to save this movie. It's just too dumb to take seriously. Because it's Bronson, it's almost watchable.

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.

I have noticed in the previous parts that Charles Bronson's character is himself a total psycho/mentally "ill" person. And that's totally understandable knowing what he's been through. So both the bad and the good guys are real extremes also in their sickness (in these movies). You have to be "freakin'" crazy to fight these crazies. "Fight evil with evil". "If you "have" to fight, you have to fight dirty." "Because war in itself is bad, evil and crazy." (These citings are not from this movie, they're just clichés.) Is there any other way? But compared to the bad guys Bronson's character is also very, very sad and sympathetic. It's sad that some people have to see and experience so much evil in this world. It is a very interesting character and portrait of a time and a frame of mind.

And the bad guys are not as comical as in some other Death Wishes, they are somehow more realistic.

From the start setting of this film some mental professional would suggest that Bronson's character is begging for blood and violence in his life: He has hooked up with some psycho-sadist-mob boss's ex-wife, who has a daughter with the mentioned. But let's not be shrinks. Shrinks (both amateur and pro) seem to be wrong very often, maybe as often as non-shrinks. Maybe it's just because they have fallen in love. And maybe Bronson/Kersey has heard about this only later.

One of the most important questions that these movies rise is: What would YOU do? Would ethics and philosophy of forgiveness be enough, if some person would for example kill some of your loved ones with no reason. Would you think that that person has deserved forgiveness and is worth of that? If that person would be a repeated killer, who has been in jail a couple of times already for his/her former crimes/killings? Would you think of that person as an equal to some person you love, and who you know is trying to be as good person as he/she possibly can? The movie is very well directed, shot, acted. Good editing and music. The atmosphere is whole. Some nice pictures. It's also more sexy than all the other parts combined. This might be one of the 3 best of the 5 Death Wishes, but wouldn't 3 have been enough? Obviously not, because these movies are just a small glimpse of the "vigilante"/revenge-movies genre... Worth seeing.

people like jonathan dabell are the reason the action genre is dead.

acid baths are all the rage you fool...but I'm sure your much happy watching your CGI Vin diesel crap !!... Your type are the kind who moan about tom & jerry cartoon characters smoking ... and strive to see them delete history to appease god knows who !!!

at the end of the day ... Death wish 5 ...Bronson is about 74 and hasn't lost his knack of knocking off the villains ...sum good graphic violence and typically vile villains ...( played to perfection by Michael parks) they don't make stuff like this anymore ...becoz u idiots prefare Borefests like " Miami vice " and weak soft core crap like the transporter

check this one out its Better than number 4 !!

Well, it's easy to be scornful of this movie, after all it is "Part V" of a disreputable series, and Charles Bronson is so old to be playing in an action picture it's almost funny, but the fact remains that it's actually competently made, and possibly the most mean-spirited, sadistic "Death Wish" chapter of them all. Predictable and ultra-violent, but still better than parts "II" or "III". (**)

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.

Charles Bronson is one of the great icons of late 20th Century cinema . Born Charles Buchinsky in 1921 he first started appearing in films in uncredited walk on roles in the early 1950s . By the late 1960s we became a well known face in supporting roles and as the 1970s dawned was a film star in his own right . Something strange happened during the cultural change in this period of American film making known as " The New Hollywood " . Actors no longer needed pretty boy good looks to be a star , audiences demanded a rugged machismo etched on an actors face and in no other decade except the 1970s would you have an unlikely actor like Bronson become a major star ? DEATH WISH saw him play Paul Kersey , a mild mannered family man who after his wife is murdered and his daughter raped turns in to a one man vigilante army . It was a highly influential film and it was the role of Kersey that cemented his legend . How fitting then that DEATH WISH V was his last theatrical cinema release

The downside is that DEATH WISH V isn't much of a thriller in its own right never mind as a sequel . No one with any sanity can claim DEATH WISH 3 is a good film or a credible thriller but as deranged entertainment whose prime function is to entertain its audience it does its job superbly . DEATH WISH V tries to be a sensible revenge thriller but the genie had long been let out of the bottle . By this I mean if you have a vigilante who is dating a middle aged woman young enough to be his daughter that alone is problematic . You perhaps speculate that the makers of this are trying change the formula by having a smaller body count whilst making the deaths of the villains have a bigger impact in their novelty value but this is a gimmick that doesn't work . Having a smaller body count also means it's a much slower paced film that is borderline boring in the first half . As it stands Bronson's last three movies were TV productions in the FAMILY OF COPS franchise and Bronson's career ended not with a well deserved bang but a whimper

After working my way through all 5 death wishes I was surprised by how much I liked the finale. Jammed with action and more gruesome violence and maybe the first villian who truly deserves the Paul Kearsey treatment. Although this movie was more competently made it didn't have the Cannon Golan-Globus charm of 2 and 3 but much more enjoyable than 4! Also a perfect sendoff shot for Bronson.

"If you need me, give me a call"

Ah yes, the Death Wish series of films, each and every one guaranteed to invoke some ire and even hatred from critical circles and film lovers alike. Yet to think that they don't have fans from movie land would be wrong - case in point Death Wish 5: The Face of Death.

Often considered to be the runt of the litter, it's actually better than what some would have you believe. OK! So the formula is the same as usual, Charles Bronson's Paul Kersey will have to take up his vigilante arms once again when someone close to him falls by the wayside. The law is still an ass and the bad guys can literally get away with murder, but they can't get away from crossing the path of Kersey.

It is what it is in that respect, another chance for Bronson to please fans of the series, to attack his role with machismo and a quip on the tongue. Where inventive deaths are conjured with a side order of vigilante relish. There's even strains of film noir in here, with a henchman as a transvestite and another with a dandruff problem that bothers him so. There's even a mannequin factory for added noirish flavours.

The production isn't exactly high end (tongue in cheek folks), and the usual suspension of disbelief is very much required, but for fans of Chuck and the series, then this delivers the goods. Bloodily so. 7/10

This not the best "Death Wish" film, but who can resist seeing Bronson go nuts...especially when he was well into his 70s??!!! The plot of this movie is not unlike something that would appear on Lifetime. A fashionista's abusive, mobster ex-husband starts trouble for her and it's up to the vigilante architect Paul Kersey to help. The film is a little slow and the plot is pretty thin, but the supporting cast isn't too bad. Michael Parks and Robert Joy make very sleazy villains. So much so, the audience can't wait for Bronson to lay down the law on them. Not a fitting end to the "Death Wish" series, but it's nice to see that Bronson was still at it at this late stage in his career.

What will YOU be doing at the honorable age of 72? Enjoy retirement by doing a little bit of work in the garden? Play cards and drink beers with the buddies? Pretend you're still in shape and run after your grandchildren at the playground until you narrowly get a heart-attack? Whatever it'll be, you (and certainly not I) will never be as cool and tough as Charles "Charlie" Bronson who was still ridding the New York streets of filthy criminals & taking the law into his own hands! Legend.

Well, the character of Paul Kersey was doing all this, obviously, but still Bronson kept appearing in hard-boiled action movies until less than a decade before his death, and this without making a fool of himself and even though he allegedly was not pleased with how explicitly violent the "Death Wish" series was. Legend.

Although I cherish a deep love for the whole series, number 5 is probably my third favorite, after the first and the second. Why so good? Said it before and I'll say it again, in my crazy world the entertainment value of an action flick is directly proportional with the sheer evilness of the main villains. In other words, the more loathsome the bad guys, the more awesome the movie. And "Death Wish 5" features a couple of delightfully loathsome villains. Underrated actor Michael Parks is terrific as the narcissist crime lord, and Robert Joy is possibly even better as the psychotic killer who loves to dress up as a woman and who is obsessed with his dandruff. His street name is Freddie Flakes, ha!

The plot is formulaic, of course, with yet another nice lady (Lesley-Anne Down) realizing that hooking up with former architect Paul Kersey leads to a certain and painful death, since this man simply is a magnet for criminals that are too sly and clever for the police to apprehend. Mobster boss Tommy O'Shea uses his ex-wife's fashion house as legal cover for his money-laundering and smuggling activities, but not on new boyfriend Kersey's watch! There are plenty of clichés (like police snitches, Italian gangsters living with their mommies, ...) and stuff that doesn't make sense (remote-controlled footballs, anyone?) but the explicit violence and imaginative killing methods compensate for all the minor defaults.

After this, Charlie starred in the TV-trilogy "Family of Cops" and then enjoyed a well-deserved but far too short retirement.

A 74 year old and puffy-faced Charles Bronson made his theatrical exit in DW 5, a movie that is so bad that it is hard to classify it as a movie. This time around, Paul Kersey is engaged to a woman (the very dull Lesley-Anne Down)) whose business is being threatened by a mobster (the seemingly perpetually stoned Michael Parks). Only after Parks badly hurts one of her employees, kills a second one and then kills her does Kersey decide to limp into action. By then, two-thirds of the movie has expired and I felt like I had expired as well. Kersey's first kill is not by gun but by poison. What the hell is this? Kersey poisons someone? Anyhow, I was just happy to see Bronsons still working, but watching him and this movie was painful beyond belief. A must-avoid.

Every Death Wish movie is a classic. They continue to get higher body counts and plenty of action. I never get sick of watching Bronson blow away these scumbags. All of Bronson's movies are great and I think he is by far the greatest actor that ever lived. My favorite films of Bronson have to be the later ones. Kinjite, Death Wish 1-5, Murphy's Law etc. Bronson had big budgets to work with and plenty of people to blow away. The ending of each Death Wish just gets better and better. Blowing people away with Rocket Launcher's, Cannon's, Bazooka's, throwing villain's into Acid. How can any action fan not love this stuff? My favorite Death Wish film is part 4. What a great plot and plenty of Bronson action but Part 5 is also very good and the Villian played by Parks does a really great job. I saw this film in a packed theater and fans were clapping and cheering for each Bronson kill, It was great! The DVD was even better. Death Wish 5 had a good plot and plenty of bad guys for Bronson to play with. I would really like to see Bronson make at least on more Death Wish movie. In part 5 his closing line was "Call me if you ever need any help." Well, Mr. Bronson today's action heroes are a joke and we could use your help to mop up these clowns. Guys like Vin Disel, Arnold, Stallone, Van Dam, Siegal to name a few. Even at your age these punks can't hold a candle to your acting or screen presence. I hope to see you again on the silver screen soon. That is my "Wish"

Let's face it: if you have made it this far in the 'Death Wish' franchise, you are not watching this fourth sequel expecting Oscar worthy dialogue or three dimensional supporting characters. Chances are, the drawing factor is either Charles Bronson's on-screen presence, his creative killing methods, charismatic villains, or a combination of all three, and 'The Face of Death' delightfully has all three elements in spades. Considering his advanced age at the time, Bronson does well in the lead role with a genuine gleam in his eyes when taking out those who have wronged him. From cyanide sprinkled on cannoli, to choking in cling wrap, to a remote control soccer ball (!), Bronson also does his dirty business in highly inventive ways, and to top it off, Michael Parks is electric as the chief antagonist. The basic story admittedly recycles too much from previous entries for its own good with yet another wife/girlfriend attacked, yet another (surrogate) daughter in peril and yet another ineffective police force, but everything essentially works here since the focus is on the violence and the extent of the reign of terror from Parks and his underlings. The film also boasts lots of imaginative female attire with a couple of zany fashion shows in the mix. With some effective point-of-view camera- work in a hospital section, the film additionally has better technical credentials than one might expect given its reputation. Sure, 'The Face of Death' does not take the basic story in any real fresh or new directions, but what worked once before still suffices if one is in the mood.

This film begins with a woman named "Olivia Regent" (Lesley Anne-Down) who owns a fashion business in New York City and is engaged to a man by the name of Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson). As it so happens, however, she was once married to a mobster boss named "Tommy O'Shea" (Michael Parks) who is in the process of expanding his territory and is especially interested in his former wife's business. Additionally, he also wants to become more involved in the life of his young daughter "Chelsea Regent" (Erica Fairfield) who lives with her mother. Needless to say, Olivia has no desire to have Tommy come back into her life and this puts her and Tommy on a collision course. Naturally-being being the thug that he is-Tommy quickly resorts to violence which in turn results in Paul initially going to the police to protect her. But as things soon go from bad to worse it quickly becomes apparent that the police cannot be trusted and with few other options he reverts to his former ways to make things right. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that, even though this movie lacked the necessary realism, it still turned out better than the previous two films in the series and for that reason I have rated it accordingly. Average.