A fantastic film showing that Eastwood still has what it takes.

Rating: 9/10 (2 April 2009)

Not having seen any Eastwood films in my time (not even Dirty Harry!) I didn't know what to expect from the actor who'd built a reputation as portraying a hard-ass blowing away bad guys left right and center. I left the cinema feeling inspired and entertained at the same time. The characters, particularly Eastwood's (a hardened old war veteran with a distinct racist personality), are portrayed in such a believable, amazing manner I found myself comparing the standard of the acting to that of The Shawshank Redemption.
Whilst Gran Torino is chock full of life-important messages, they aren't merely thrown into your face whilst being tacked onto a weak, filler plot. The story, a tale of redemption and Walt's reluctance to join a war of a much smaller scale, one in his own neighborhood, is both interesting and spectacular, whilst at the same time Walt's coy racial remarks will keep the audience entertained (though I'd not be surprised if this film were to cop a bit of flak regarding the racist remarks).
After Shawshank Redemption and Forest Gump, this film has become a favorite of mine, and if it's Eastwood's last acting role, then he most definitely went out on a positively high note. Bless you, Clint Eastwood.