Classic Eastwood?

Rating: 5/10 (17 June 2009)

In the commentary, Eastwood states that it had been four years since he starred in a movie and that he hadn't planned on acting again until he read the script for Gran Torino. After seeing the movie, I think Clint should have stuck with his original plan.
In one of the promo's for the movie, the tag line is "Classic Eastwood". I guess this begs the question, what is classic Eastwood? He is a very versatile actor and except for a few clinkers like, Paint your Wagon, he has proved that he can easily handle a wide range of parts and they are all "classic Eastwood" in their own way.
I guess my disappointment with GT is the shift from his patented tough guy that gets justice for the weak type character, to a man finding himself close to death, and choosing to sacrifice himself without a fight. The whole "getting justice without a fight" is a noble premise, but in reality the gang members were probably going to receive a 20 year sentence, and be out in 5 to finish what they started.
Speaking for myself, if Clint starts out as "Dirty Harry" in a movie, he needs to finish that way.