Lone Wolf McQuade (1983)

Great 80's western with spectacular unique action scenes never before seen and probably never to be seen again. I think the cinematography is very good and the acting is decent enough. Chuck Norris adopts his role of a Texas Ranger in this film that he later reshapes to a similar character in the television series Walker Texas Ranger.

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.

In one of his very best vehicles, Chuck Norris plays Texas Ranger J.J. McQuade, a solitary man with his own way of doing things. In this tale he must do battle with a nefarious arms dealer, Rawley Wilkes (David Carradine). His boss tries to saddle him with a partner, nicknamed "Kayo" (Robert Beltran). J.J. is naturally resistant to this arrangement, but Kayo is determined to prove himself worthy. J.J. also finds himself another ally when F.B.I. agent Jackson (Leon Isaac Kennedy) shows his own willingness to not do things strictly by the book.The decision by director Steve Carver (who'd previously worked with Chuck on the formulaic but fun "An Eye for an Eye") and his filmmaking company to play this like a Spaghetti Western is an inspired choice. Carver directs with a real flair, the rural scenery is breathtaking to behold, the action scenes are extremely well executed, and the Chuck vs. Carradine title fight is an irresistible hook. Certainly one man who understands the tone of the whole thing is composer Francesco De Masi, whose score is just perfect.What's nice to see is that Carradine, who often slummed in B fare and basically phoned in his performances, makes for a truly effective villain here. He actually looks like he's enjoying playing this over confident, egomaniacal creep. Much eye candy is supplied by the luscious Barbara Carrera, who has the role of Wilkes's uneasy "partner". Chuck and Carrera do have some sexy scenes together. Beltran is fine as the eager beaver young cop who is initially something of a nuisance but who will prove his worth by the end. Much praise goes to the uniformly solid supporting cast, including such luminaries as L.Q. Jones, R.G. Armstrong, Sharon Farrell, and William Sanderson. The lovely Dana Kimmell of "Friday the 13th Part III" fame plays Chucks' frequently imperiled daughter. Daniel Frishman has the most delicious role in the picture as the diminutive crook Falcon; this is another guy who looks like he's having a good time.Rough, tough, and rousing, "Lone Wolf McQuade" makes for completely agreeable entertainment, delivering to us a finale that we can savour. Chuck and Carradine performed the stunts themselves, to the chagrin of the producers.This would make a fine double bill with "Code of Silence", another of Chucks' best features.Eight out of 10.

I can't comprehend how underrated LWM is. First I have to say that the opening seen is a heck of a way to open an action movie. At the opening scene J.J. McQuade seems invincible. He just stands there as bullets whiz past him not looking worried at all. This scene has to go down in the action books for one of the best openings to an action movie. The next part of the movie shows J.J. McQuade as a tough but fragile Ranger because he has his family and friends, whom he deeply cares about, to look out for. There's nothing much to the villain in LWM. He's played by David Carradine and only there when necessary but it doesn't take anything away from the experience. It focuses more on McQuade than the villain. McQuade is a slob and a beer guzzler but extremely good at what he does. A crack shot and an expert at martial arts despite his unhealthy lifestyle. The villain eventually pushes McQuade to his limit and McQuade must hunt down Carradine to save his daughter with the help of a few friends. The music in LWM sounds like something you would hear out of a spaghetti western which really sets the western mood for the movie. The Final fight scene is an epic mono e mono showdown between Chuck Norris and David Carradine. What an awesome way to end a movie! A great great edition to the Norris collection and I would recommend it to any fan of action movies period.