sudden impact tend to be treat a eastwood artistic failure at a point in his career when he have establish a good reputation a a director . the reason be actually not the film itself but the attitude it take towards vigilantism which it seem to support . in some place it actually owe more to death wish than the original dirty harry film . one might argue if that be so at the end of the day it a film about guilt and justice and retribution . for me and at the end of the day it more empathy than sympathy . however and in view of all these argument it be easily overlook that sudden impact be an awfully well make film . forget the go ahead punk and make my day scene and that iconic but not original . but look at the view of san fransisco take from the air and zooming in on the city . the first 15 or 20 minute be quite spectacular . or have a look at the brilliantly make scene where sondra locke character visit her mentally ill sister in hospital . eastwood make great use of the juxtaposition of face . so all in all sudden impact be a very visual film that really show how mature eastwood be a a director . and if i remember correctly it be actually the first time eastwood put that on screen albeit in an action film of debatable ideology . also and i think this be the first well pace film eastwood direct . although eastwood have enormous talent a a director and dramaturgy have always be his weak point ( see play misty for me and breezy etc . ) thepace of the narrative lead to the visual element be well integrate into the film and not distract from the story . the only thing that be really annoying be the fart dog .