The Unforgettable Plothole in Dirty Harry Movies: Jim Carrey and Guns 'n Roses Connection
A surprising twist in Jim Carrey's early career as he belts out a Guns 'N Roses hit in 'The Dead Pool' - a pivotal film that marked his transition into dramatic roles
The Big Picture
Despite incorporating more snarky one-liners and deviating from its original realistic crime thriller format, The Dirty Harry series continued to entertain throughout its various installments, including The Dead Pool, which managed to captivate audiences despite its inclusion of unrealistic elements.
Jim Carrey demonstrated his dramatic range in The Dead Pool, showcasing his talent for serious acting before his rise to fame as a comedian.
Despite a peculiar plot hole involving Guns 'n Roses, The Dead Pool effectively concludes the Dirty Harry series and provides Clint Eastwood with a graceful exit from the iconic character.
Like many action film sagas, the Dirty Harry series gradually became more lighthearted with each installment. While the original Dirty Harry and its first sequel Magnum Force presented themselves as realistic crime thrillers, the succeeding sequels shifted their focus towards showcasing Clint Eastwood's snarky one-liners. However, this shift in tone did not necessarily make the later Dirty Harry sequels any less entertaining. In fact, the majority of these films managed to maintain the viewer's engagement, despite incorporating elements that may be considered unrealistic. The only exception to this is The Dead Pool from 1988, the final film in the series. It features a peculiar plot hole that involves both Jim Carrey and Guns 'n Roses.
Jim Carrey Performs a Song by Guns ‘N Roses in 'The Dead Pool'
Warner Brothers
The Dead Pool follows Inspector Harry Callahan (Eastwood), now older, as he testifies against a mobster in hopes of securing a conviction. Despite previous speculations of retirement in the Dirty Harry sequels, The Dead Pool establishes that Harry remains actively involved in his duties, even with his advancing age. Assigned to investigate the death of rock singer Jimmy Squares (Jim Carrey), whose body was found shortly after filming a music video with director Peter Swan (Liam Neeson), Harry suspects foul play behind the seemingly accidental overdose reported by authorities.
In The Dead Pool, Carrey's character, Squares, is quickly killed off, yet director Buddy Van Horn tries to create a sense of sympathy for him. The film aims to give a glimpse into Squares' life and artistic talent prior to his untimely demise, enhancing the intrigue of the mystery and adding pressure for Harry to solve the crime. To showcase Squares' artistic abilities, the movie incorporates footage from a music video he was shooting with Swan. In this sequence, Carrey sings along to Guns ‘n Roses' renowned track, "Welcome to the Jungle."
Interestingly, this implies that Squares himself wrote the song, which might confuse fans of Guns ‘n Roses since it's one of their most iconic pieces. Furthermore, actual members of Guns ‘n Roses appear later in the film during Squares' funeral scene. So, does Guns ‘n Roses have no connection to Squares within the context of The Dead Pool? The artistic origin of "Welcome to the Jungle" being a topic of discussion in a Dirty Harry sequel raises questions about the film's realism. Although the first Dirty Harry film loosely drew inspiration from a true story, it is evident that the series no longer aims for a realistic portrayal.
Despite this unusual plot contrivance, The Dead Pool remains an extremely entertaining Dirty Harry film, allowing Clint Eastwood to gracefully exit the character. It is uncommon for a film franchise to conclude on its own terms without a major box office failure or critical disappointment; The Dead Pool avoids both. Moreover, the film cleverly adds a sense of self-awareness to the series by introducing a serial killer who targets Harry himself. While Eastwood came close to reprising the role a decade later, The Dead Pool serves as a fitting conclusion to one of his most iconic character portrayals.
‘The Dead Pool’ Was Jim Carrey’s First Dramatic Role
Image via Paramount Pictures
Prior to Jim Carrey’s breakthrough as a comedic superstar, he appeared in The Dead Pool. Unlike his later roles in Dumb & Dumber or Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Carrey's performance in this film was not as distracting. Released in the late 1990s, audiences were surprised to see Carrey take on a dramatic role. The Dead Pool marked Carrey's first venture into more serious work, showcasing his ability to be more than just a physical comedian.
In the late 1990s, Jim Carrey showcased his ability to blend humor with serious acting in films like Man on the Moon and The Truman Show. In Man on the Moon, Carrey brilliantly portrayed comedian Andy Kaufman, managing to be funny without becoming a mere caricature. Likewise, The Truman Show utilized Carrey's charismatic presence to highlight the negative impact of being a television star. These movies, along with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, shattered the perception that Carrey was simply a goofy jokester, proving his talent and versatility. Rent The Dead Pool on Amazon in the U.S.
