McQuade, o Lobo Solitário

Chuck Norris and David Carradine make this one heck of an action movie by virtue of their performances, alone. It's dated, and in serious need of a remake, but above average for its time. While seriously dated, this film has become an institution among action fans, so if you are a fan of the genre and haven't seen this, you should really give it a viewing.

The performances and execution of this work are typical of the age, and the dialog is pretty stiff, especially when "at the station," but otherwise, it's a decent Chuck Norris film.

Some say it's his best. Unfortunately, I cannot agree with that assessment. He got better, as he grew more mature, in my opinion, but this is the first of the best, at any rate.

It rates a 6.8/10 from...

the Fiend :.

Among all Chuck Norris movies I've watched so far, there were a few I rather liked (especially "Missing In Action" was so hilarious they had to quote it in "Hot Shots 2"), but "Lone Wolf McQuade" is the first time I actually loved every minute. I confess. There are many good reasons for it, though. Already in the opening scene, I noticed the excellent music by Francesco De Masi. The guitars, bells, trumpets, harmonicas are straight from the school of spaghetti western and turn every close-up into larger-than-life drama. David Carradine is a opponent way ahead of the villains Chuck battled in other flicks. Barbara Carrera ("Never Say Never Again") catches the eye as a widow falling in love with Chuck. The story is (intentionally or not) kept as basic as possible: hero meets bad guys, tries a solution with violence, doesn't work, tries MORE violence, then it works. Much in this movie defies reason and logic, but don't ask "why?", just view it as a kind of ritualistic fantasy western in a modern day decoration, thus it can be great fun. And you learn a lot of useful things, for example: you can revive a seemingly dead and definitely buried man with two cans of beer. And don't miss one of the first computer hacking scenes in film history, you won't believe your eyes.

Released in 1983, "Lone Wolf McQuade" inspired the TV series Walker, Texas Ranger that came out a decade later. Chuck Norris stars as the eponymous McQuade, a kick-axx ranger from El Paso who's known for being a 'lone wolf.' He takes on a drug kingpin (David Carradine) whose gang uses automatic weapons while protecting his daughter (Dana Kimmell) and romancing the kingpin's babe (Barbara Carrera).

While it's easy to write off this film because it's so cartoony, melodramatic and unrealistic, it's a quality action flick if you can embrace it for what it is. The action's good, which includes a few martial arts sequences, and the screenwriter at least attempts to add some depth to the characters. Carradine hams it up as the villain dripping with evil while Norris plays an effective loner protagonist. Kimmell is cute and Carrera is ravishing, but they could've done more with them. The spaghetti Western score by Francesco De Masi is excellent and the authentic Southwest cinematography is a plus.

The film runs 107 minutes and was shot in El Paso, Texas.

GRADE: B-

Why do 90 percent of the people writing reviews on this site have to tell the entire synopsis of the movie?

It's a waste of time. Just tell us what you liked/disliked of the movie and go about your business!

When I was growing up, I would watch Eye For An Eye a million times a year. That was my favorite Norris movie, until I came across Lone Wolf McQuade in the video stores in 1987. I love that movie SO MUCH! The acting isn't that great (I don't think any of his movies have 1st rate acting), but being an action Norris movie, it's right on target! The musical theme to Lone Wolf McQuade fit very much in the movie. It sounds a bit like those Eastwood spaghetti western themes, but better! If anyone didn't like this movie, they're brain dead! (Anyone who's a Norris fan that is) :) If you're a TRUE Norris fan & if you love action flicks, rent this movie today, you'll love it!