Magnum Force: More Than Just a Dirty Harry Sequel?

Okay, so I just finished rewatching *Magnum Force* (1973). I always get a little twitchy when sequels try to one-up the original, and this one definitely goes for a more...complicated approach than the first *Dirty Harry*. But honestly, I kind of appreciate it. It's directed by Ted Post, btw, not Don Siegel like the first film. You can totally tell the difference in the visual style. Siegel's got that gritty, almost documentary feel, while Post's is smoother, more classically Hollywood. Which isn't necessarily bad, just different. What really struck me this time was the way the film plays with morality. We're used to Harry being the ultimate arbiter of 'justice,' right? But then you've got these rookie motorcycle cops acting as judges, juries, and executioners themselves. And honestly, some of their 'targets' are pretty disgusting. The whole scene where they execute the pimp was...uncomfortable to say the least. It makes you question who's *really* crossing the line, and whether the system is even capable of delivering justice. The confrontation between Harry and Charlie McCoy (Mitchell Ryan), when McCoy tries to justify the killings, is a seriously chilling and thought-provoking scene. Plus, David Soul? So good as the leader of the rogue cops. Such a creepy charisma. Obviously, it's a product of its time, and some of the attitudes re: women are pretty cringe-worthy, ngl. But as a character study of vigilante justice and the potential for corruption even within supposedly 'good' institutions, *Magnum Force* has some genuinely interesting ideas. I think I actually prefer it to the first movie? Don't @ me. Maybe I'm just a sucker for morally grey characters and plots that make you squirm. Definitely worth a rewatch if you're into 70s cop thrillers, and want something a bit more nuanced than just a revenge flick. What are your thoughts? Am I totally off-base here?