Critics may not have been fond of this 1980sChuck NorrisWestern, but it’s one of my guilty pleasures. Norris was part of a wave of action stars to emerge during the 1970s and 1980s, with his roundhouse kicks and trademark beard becoming part of his star persona. The ’80s featured some ofChuck Norris' best action movieslike theMissing in Actiontrilogy or, my personal favorite,Code of Silence, but his film career faltered by the time the 1990s arrived. While Norris had a compelling look, he just wasn’t that great of an actor.
That’s why his most successful movies leaned on his physicality and cut way back on his dialogue. His appearance inThe Expendables 2really exposed this, as the veteran star badly fumbles his ownChuck Norris joke meme. Despite his limits as a performer,I still think Norris made some gems in his career, including 1983’sLone Wolf McQuade. This macho modern-day Western cast Norris as the titular Texas Ranger, chasing after drug lord Rawley (David Carradine).
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Lone Wolf McQuade Is One Of Chuck Norris' Best Movies
It’s impossible to not have a good time with Lone Wolf McQuade
Growing up, I was more into the movies of Jean-Claude Van Damme or Sylvester Stallone, so I didn’t watch much of Norris' output. Right from the opening ofLone Wolf McQuade- where Norris' stoic ranger shoots down about ten horse thieves on his own before having a sweaty, barechested practice session at a firing range - I knew I was in for a good time.Lone Wolf McQuadewants to be a Sergio Leone-style Western, but it’s far too bombastic and over the top to scale such heights.
Instead,it’s a slick, fast-moving ride that plays to all ofChuck Norris' strengths as a martial artistandactor. It’s got well-shot setpieces, a hissable villain in Carradine and Norris even shares some romantic chemistry with co-star Barbara Carrera. Director Steve Carver wisely surrounded his leading man with a great ensemble to do the heavy lifting in terms of dramatic scenes, including Carrera andStar Trek: Voyager’sRobert Beltran.
Reportedly,Lone Wolf McQuadewas offered to Clint Eastwood first, so it makes sense that Norris' character wields a .44 Magnum throughout. I feel Norris is particularly well-suited to the Western genre too andLone Wolf McQuadefinds a good balance between being a modern action thriller and a Western throwback.
Lone Wolf McQuade’sBarbara Carrera also appeared in the unofficial James Bond movieNever Say Never Againin 1983.
Why Lone Wolf McQuade Doesn’t Have A Higher Rotten Tomatoes Score
Lone Wolf McQuade’scritics' score onRotten Tomatoessits at a tepid 57%, with the consensus being that it was a silly B-action movie with little substance. That said,the late, greatRoger Ebertactually gave it a 3-and-a-half-star review, praising the action and pacing, even as he pointed out the plot is “essentially meaningless.” He’s right on every count becauseLone Wolf McQuadedoesn’t have much of anything to say - but I find it impossible not to enjoy its charms.
87%
67%
68%
72%
The Expendables 2(2012)
It’s a martial arts Western with great, quippy dialogue and little concern about the plot getting too outlandish. The story makes less sense the more I think about it, but it moves too fast to become a problem. The reasonLone Wolf McQuadedoesn’t have a higher rating is that martial arts action movies were largely regarded as junk during this era, so despite the film’s many virtues, many critics dismissed it out of hand.
Lone Wolf McQuade Is A Perfect Snapshot Of Chuck Norris' Career
Lone Wolf McQuade was Norris' gateway to mainstream stardom
While researchingLone Wolf McQuade, I was surprised to learn it was the first film where he donned his beard. It’s almost hard to picture himwithoutit now, but Norris' look and the movie’s success helped him break through to the mainstream for a time.AfterLone Wolf McQuade, Norris enjoyed a period of hits likeMissing in ActionorThe Delta Force, which went on to become perennial VHS rentals in the years ahead. Outside of being one of my favorite Norris outings, the movie really captured the star at his apex.
For those who missed out on the whole Chuck Norris thing, then I recommend Lone Wolf McQuadeas the best sampler.
When movie work dried up, he moved to television in the 1990s, playing a character not unlike McQuaod inWalker, Texas Ranger. For those who missed out on the wholeChuck Norristhing, then I recommendLone Wolf McQuadeas the best sampler. It’s macho to the point of self-parody and would never get made now, but it also captures what made Norris such a star and it’s never once dull - which I can’t say for much of his later work.
Lone Wolf McQuade
Cast
J.J. McQuade is a reclusive Texas Ranger known for his rough and unconventional methods and penchant for working alone. His world is turned upside down when his daughter is kidnapped by a notorious arms dealer. Forced to collaborate with a by-the-book FBI agent, McQuade heads off on a warpath of revenge to save his daughter.
