Quartile rating: 5/10 · 1 rating
After the death of his girlfriend's daughter from a drug overdose, Paul Kersey takes on the local drug cartel.
Death Wish 4 is a deeply formulaic fourth entry in a declining franchise. The plot mechanically recycles the vigilante revenge template with minimal variation — Kersey is triggered by yet another personal tragedy and wages war on drug dealers with little dramatic nuance. Acting is serviceable at best, with Charles Bronson coasting on his stoic persona. Cinematography is competent mid-80s action fare with nothing visually distinctive. Novelty is very low — this is an archetypal by-the-numbers sequel that adds nothing new to the series or the genre. The ending resolves predictably with no dramatic weight or surprise.