McQuade, der Wolf (1983)

McQuade, der Wolf: Directed by Steve Carver. With Chuck Norris, David Carradine, Barbara Carrera, Leon Isaac Kennedy. After helping the local police with some horse thieves, a Texas Ranger aims at a drug lord with arms trade as well. They’re interested in the same woman and they’re both into martial arts.

“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? u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis movie ranks as probably one of Chuck Norrisu0026#39; best action films of his career and was certainly the basis for his very successful series character u0026quot;Walker, Texas Rangeru0026quot;. 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. Chucku0026#39;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 u0026quot;grasshopperu0026quot; 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 u0026quot;lone, lawman, herou0026quot; mold of Wayne with this film.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThere 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 50u0026#39;s. Thatu0026#39;s the money shot of the film. Robert Beltrane (of u0026quot;Star Trek: Voyageru0026quot; fame) does a nice, early career stint here as the hapless, partner who forced to tag along on McQuadeu0026#39;s heels, but who saves the day in some small way. Much like Tyne Daly did to Clint Eastwoodu0026#39;s Dirty Harry in u0026quot;The Enforceru0026quot;.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAnd you just canu0026#39;t beat the final showdown between Carradine u0026amp; Norris, which ranks right up there with Chucku0026#39;s other famous duel with Bruce Lee. Itu0026#39;s Action Cinema Gold.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAll in all, a great little film for people who like action heroes.”