Death Wish 3

Death Wish 3 from 1985 is a thrilling action and crime film directed by renowned British director Michael Winner and featuring celebrated actors Charles Bronson, Deborah Raffin, and Ed Lauter. This film is the third installment of the well-known Death Wish film series which, as an ensemble, explores the moral consequences of vigilantism and self-defense.

Charles Bronson returns to his trademark role of Paul Kersey, a New York architect turned vigilante, igniting the screen with what many fans consider being the most action-packed entry of the series. His character remains every bit the steely, taciturn hero that audiences have come to adore, offering a masterclass in minimalist action despite the escalating chaos surrounding him.

In Death Wish 3, Kersey finds himself back in a lawless New York City, visiting a friend. However, soon he ends up in the deep end of the city's crime-infested underbelly, where villainy lurks around every corner. The previous films have shown Kersey's transformation from a regular man with normal problems to someone who can hold his own against heavy-handed thuggery, and this film marks the high point of that theme.

Progressing with the plot, the local gangs are causing havoc in the once peaceful neighborhood, and it's clear that the often-overmatched police can't handle the growing trouble alone. The police, overwhelmed but familiar with Kersey's semi-official work in the past, strike a deal with him to clean up the neighborhood. Accompanying Kersey in this fight against crime is the local community, creating a sense of unity and collective action against a common enemy, which imparts a new dynamic to the film.

Deborah Raffin adds a softening contrast to Bronson's hard-edged character as public defender Kathryn Davis, who, despite her opposition to Kersey's way of doing things, is unable to ignore the positive changes he brings about in the community. Ed Lauter brilliantly plays the weary yet resolute Inspector Richard Shriker who finds himself reluctantly aligned with Kersey.

Combining Bronson's iconic performance with Winner's roving camera and deft handling of the graphic action set pieces is another recognizable element of the Death Wish series — its notable score. Jimmy Page, legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist, lends his considerable talents to the creation of the film's soundtrack, which effectively captures the urban jungle's mood through a blend of haunting synthesizers and electric guitars.

Death Wish 3's charm lies not in subtlety but in its unabashed embrace of its genre. The rampant, gritty violence is not for the faint of heart; it's a film that thrives on chaos and the raw unpredictability of urban crime. The aesthetic of the movie perfectly captures the mood of its era - 1980s New York - which was seen by many as a concrete jungle full of danger and unpredictability.

Despite its gritty facade, the film isn't void of deeper themes. It delves into the socio-economic state of the time and makes biting commentary on the justice system – raising the question of what happens when the law fails to protect and serve.

Overall, Death Wish 3 is a gun-blazing, adrenaline-spiked symphony of chaos and retribution. It's a film that builds tirelessly on its predecessors' legacy while indulging in the over-the-top action and melodrama that 1980's cinema so enthusiastically embraced. For fans of intense action, dramatic storylines, and moral quandaries, this film offers an unforgettable cinematic experience. The uncompromising crime landscape of the film, coated in a gritty 80's veneer, makes it irresistibly compelling to fans of the genre and the series.