As the Death Wish franchise reaches its fifth installment, Paul Kersey's reputation as a vigilante begins to fade. Death Wish V: The Face of Death (1994) attempts to revive the brutality but gets stuck in the same old formula. Charles Bronson, aged 73, still dons the role of the avenger, but this time the story lacks power and realism, making it a film worth watching only to close the legend of the iconic character.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) lives peacefully with his fiancée, Olivia Regent (Lesley-Anne Down), a fashion designer. But her business is threatened by a mafia gang led by Tommy O'Shea (Michael Parks). Paul must resort to violence again to protect his loved one and to end the escalating intimidation.
The story follows the typical vigilante formula: confrontation with criminals, loss, and cold-blooded revenge. But this time, the script misses the chance to create excitement because the villains are weak and charmless. The pacing is flat, lacking memorable twists.
Acting and Characters
Charles Bronson still delivers his trademark tough and fierce demeanor, but due to his age, his movements appear slow and unrealistic in action scenes. Lesley-Anne Down is elegant, but her role barely contributes to the story, serving only as motivation for Paul's revenge. Michael Parks plays a villain who seems more comical than menacing, lacking the depth that good action films should have. Other characters like Freddie Flakes (Robert Joy) and Sal Paconi (Chuck Shamata) are merely one-dimensional extras.
Direction, Cinematography, and Music
Director Allan A. Goldstein fails to create a tense or thrilling atmosphere. Action scenes are shot in a mundane manner, lacking sharp editing techniques. The score by Terry Plumeri sounds dated and does not enhance the film's emotions. Overall, the movie feels old and lifeless, even for a 90s production.
Editorial Analysis
Death Wish V: The Face of Death is an example of a film that follows the formula too closely. This installment lacks innovation and freshness that an action film should have. Violence is presented blatantly but fails to create an emotional impact on the audience. Paul Kersey in this installment seems like a tired old man, lacking the charm of earlier vigilantes. Moreover, the film attempts to incorporate themes of love and protection but does so superficially, making the story forgettable. For fans who have followed Paul Kersey from the beginning, this installment may disappoint. But from the perspective of closing the legend, it is worth watching for the sake of franchise completeness.
Verdict
Suitable for die-hard fans who want to complete all installments of Charles Bronson as Paul Kersey. But for general viewers expecting a quality action film, Death Wish V: The Face of Death may disappoint. The film lacks both intensity and the charm of previous installments. Recommended only to close the legend.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Charles Bronson's performance still carries a legendary aura
- +Die-hard fans get to see the closure of Paul Kersey's story
- +Runtime of only 95 minutes, not dragged out
👎 Cons
- −Repetitive plot lacking excitement
- −Weak villains, not intimidating
- −Action scenes are slow and lack energy
Top Cast
FAQ
Yes, because the story is independent, only sharing the same main character. But it's recommended to watch previous parts for background.
The Death Wish series has 5 installments, with this being the last featuring Charles Bronson.
No, this installment is an original screenplay, not adapted from Brian Garfield's novel.
The film is rated R by the MPAA due to violence and inappropriate language.
