Una magnum per McQuade

Any parents thinking of watching "Lone Wolf McQuade" with their young children because the movie got a "PG" rating should be warned - even by today's standards, it's quite violent and has plenty of profanity. Though in my book, those facts are part of what make the movie very entertaining. It's kind of an update of spaghetti westerns made in the 1960s and 1970s, right down to the catchy and tangy musical score by Francesco De Masi. There's plenty of style and action as well. And while I have certainly never thought of Chuck Norris as a good actor, this particular role - where he mostly eschews dialogue and instead communicates with action - fits him pretty well.

If the movie has a weakness, I think it's that it runs a bit too long; the 107 minute running time stretches out the movie somewhat too much. Some tightening by the editor to make a number of scenes play out more quickly would have helped considerably. But I feel I should add that even though the movie is somewhat too long, it's never boring. There's always something happening on the screen to keep your interest. If you have somehow never seen a Chuck Norris movie, this particular effort would be a good introduction to him.

This is actually a pretty nifty little action film, fashioned as a modern day "spaghetti western." Solid direction by B-Movie veteran Steve Carver and a well-written script combine with a first rate performance by Norris (his absolute best to date....this character could be seen as a prototype to his current smash hit on TV, "Walker: Texas Ranger")to make this great escapist entertainment. David Carradine is also memorable as the chief villain of the story.

I saw this film in a packed theatre when it was first released and the audience just ate it up. The scene where he drives his truck out of a grave that the bad guys have buried him in was a particular crowd-pleaser!

I don't usually like Chuck, but this one hit the spot. I thought the producers could have left out the cornball love scenes, but it still played pretty good. It was totally predictable, particularly the big kick-off between Chuck and Carradine at the end. If you like martial arts, car chases, explosions and hammy, overdone acting then you will go for this one. Funny, Chuck seems to be a crummier actor now than he did when filming this movie.

The previous posters comments about this film say something about the reviewer. Um...Chuck Norris and David Carradine??...what kind of movie did you expect with two KNOWN martial arts stars in it? High Plains Drifter?

This movie ranks as probably one of Chuck Norris' best action films of his career and was certainly the basis for his very successful series character "Walker, Texas Ranger". With this movie we saw Chuck change from his old image of the blonde, California boy to the dark haired, bearded, tough guy Chuck we know today. Chuck's movies took on a slightly tougher edge from this film forward (i.e. Invasion USA, Code of Silence). And who can fault the addition of "grasshopper" himself David Carradine to the mix? A major casting coup for the film. Carradine camps it up as a drug smuggling, karate champ who taunts and ultimately tries to kill Texas Ranger McQuade. The dialogue and action are typical of the genre and the time period but for some reason this film stands the test of time like some of the John Wayne westerns of old. Chuck clearly wished to set himself in that "lone, lawman, hero" mold of Wayne with this film.

There is one shot in the opening sequence where McQuade walks into frame in silhouette with the sun behind him, bearing down on his enemy that is right out of the classic westerns of the 50's. That's the money shot of the film. Robert Beltrane (of "Star Trek: Voyager" fame) does a nice, early career stint here as the hapless, partner who forced to tag along on McQuade's heels, but who saves the day in some small way. Much like Tyne Daly did to Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry in "The Enforcer".

And you just can't beat the final showdown between Carradine & Norris, which ranks right up there with Chuck's other famous duel with Bruce Lee. It's Action Cinema Gold.

All in all, a great little film for people who like action heroes.

What can I say? This one is a classic!! My all time favorite movie is John Carpenter's Escape from New York with Kurt Russell. Lone Wolf McQuade falls into the same genre of early 80's action movies. I saw this movie when I was a kid and thought to myself, "wow-that desert place looks cool as hell". Well now I live in El Paso.

Everything about this movie is great. It has it all. Killer fistfights, beer, explosions, gunfights, awesome scenery, an evil midget, more beer, and one damn fine senorita' played by Barbera Carrera. The fight at the end between Norris and Carradine is one of the best on film. It's up there with the fight in Roadhouse, and in Die Hard. If you like good ole' fashioned kick ass action. This is your movie!!! A Chuck Norris masterpiece!