We seem to love nothing more than seeing movie worlds filled with crime just so we can see a tough film cop clear up the streets. Here is a list of my personal favourite tough film cops.
- Nico Toscani – Above The Law
In his first film, Steven Seagal (“Under Siege”) stars as Nico Toscani. He’s a Chicago cop that used to be in the Special Forces. He’s also a martial arts master and his family in the Mafia. This is back when Seagal was still in good shape and doing more elaborate stunts.
- Marion Cobretti – Cobra
Sylvester Stallone (“Rocky”) has played a cop in many films such as “Tango & Cash” and “Demolition Man” but it’s in “Cobra” where he gives his most menacing performance. Viewing himself as the cure to crime, he’s going to dispense justice his way.
- RoboCop – RoboCop
I couldn’t have this list without RoboCop (Peter Weller “Naked Lunch”). After being killed in the line of duty as Alex Murphy, he’s brought back from the dead as a cyborg and he’ll obey his prime directives to rid Detroit’s streets of crime.
- John McClane – Die Hard
John McClane (Bruce Willis “Armageddon”) is cop with the worst luck in the world as he finds himself at the centre of multiple hostage situations. He has a pretty big mouth and has a way of really getting to his enemies by constantly jeering them. Whether he’s jumping off the roof of a skyscraper, blowing up a plane or stopping a bomber in New York, you don’t get much more tough than John McClane.
- Harry Callahan – Dirty Harry
Who else could it have been? Clint Eastwood (“Unforgiven”) plays the ultimate tough cop in the “Dirty Harry” franchise. Using his .44 Magnum, Harry Callahan is unstoppable as he takes down murderers, robbers and other criminals. When you think tough film cops, you think Harry Callahan.