Le justicier reprend les armes

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.

"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!

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.

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.