Lone Wolf McQuade Blu-ray Review

MGM delivers a robust transfer for the 1983 action film "Lone Wolf McQuade," now presented in 1080p/AVC at the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The visual quality varies but remains largely impressive, capturing the rugged texture and distinctive grain of the original 35mm film stock. While some sequences appear soft and murky—particularly during the opening dusty desert scenes—the majority of the film benefits from well-defined close-ups and intricate details. Noteworthy are the vivid colors, especially the punchy reds and oranges, which shine through elements like Chuck Norris' iconic red bandana and David Carradine's bright karate suit. The print stands out for its cleanliness, with minimal white specks or scratches and a lack of unnecessary digital alterations like DNR or edge enhancement.

The transfer excels in rendering skin textures and hair details—Chuck Norris' beard, facial sweat, and even chest hair are meticulously captured, indicative of the film’s gritty aesthetic. This transfer showcases a balanced color palette with striking primaries without any overt oversaturation, maintaining natural-looking flesh tones. However, black levels are inconsistent, sometimes showing mild crush, particularly in night scenes. The print exhibits some inherent judder and occasional softness in mid-range shots, expected for a film of its era.

Overall, the film maintains a filmic look with consistent grain and minimal compression artifacts despite being on a single-layer disc. MGM's handling ensures that "Lone Wolf McQuade" retains its original charm while offering an upgraded visual experience that highlights both minute details and broad scenic elements. Fans of Chuck Norris will appreciate the visual fidelity, which preserves the authenticity of this cult classic.

The audio presentation for "Lone Wolf McQuade" on Blu-ray is delivered via a DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track. While this format remains true to the film's original audio experience, it's clear that opinions differ on whether it best serves this action-packed film. The mono track effectively avoids any artificial surround sound issues, maintaining clean and clear dialogue without distortion or hiss. Each distinctive weapon sound, from McQuade’s sawn-off shotgun to Uzi’s rapid fire, retains character and clarity. Explosions and hand-to-hand combat scenes, however, sometimes lack the expected dynamic impact, with sounds occasionally coming off as hollow and lacking depth.

The De Masi score, inspired by Ennio Morricone, benefits from the centralized mix, allowing the Western orchestral motifs and synthesizer arrangements to shine through. Despite this, the overall audio experience may feel slightly constrained, with a noticeable lack of low-end treatment in many action sequences. This limitation can result in an underwhelming portrayal of explosive effects and vehicle sounds. It's worth noting that despite these limitations, the mono track does avoid age-related audio artifacts like hiss or drop-out, maintaining a steady and reliable audio consistency.

It is evident that a mono track brings certain authenticity to an 80s action film but also restricts the breadth of audio dynamism that a multi-channel mix could offer. Fans might find themselves wishing for a more expansive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix to fully realize the film’s sonic potential. The soundtrack does deliver an adequate experience, albeit one that could be significantly enhanced with a more modern multi-channel treatment to elevate its impact and immersion.

The Blu-ray release of "Lone Wolf McQuade" is disappointingly sparse on extras, including only the film’s theatrical trailer. Although presented in high definition, it is a super-long trailer that essentially reveals the entire story in chronological order. For fans seeking in-depth special features or behind-the-scenes content, this release offers little added value.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: A high-definition trailer that gives away the entire plotline.

"Lone Wolf McQuade" stands as a quintessential piece in Chuck Norris’ filmography and serves as a testbed for his later role in "Walker, Texas Ranger." The film is an action-packed extravaganza fusing Spaghetti Western sensibilities with martial arts flair. Norris is thoroughly in his element as J.J. McQuade, a rugged Texas Ranger preferring solitude but inevitably drawn into battles against insurmountable odds. Sporting his iconic sweaty, shirtless-under-a-sleeveless-vest look, Norris exudes relentless machismo, positioning himself as the archetypal lone wolf hero. The plot echoes the era's penchant for grandiose and campy narratives as McQuade takes on dastardly villains in the form of David Carradine's smug arms dealer, Rawley Wilkes. The movie captures its '80s charm through exaggerated pyrotechnics, comic-book action sequences, and groan-worthy one-liners.

Barbara Carrera’s Lola Richardson offers a sultry counterbalance to Norris’ rugged persona, contributing to one of the film’s laughably awkward romantic subplots. Amid the dusty, sun-baked vistas, their chemistry feels more obligatory than organic, aligning well with the movie’s over-the-top vibe. Meanwhile, supporting characters like L.Q. Jones’ Dakota and Robert Beltran’s rookie Ramos provide additional color and depth. Ramos’ wide-eyed idealism contrasts sharply with McQuade’s grizzled demeanor, making their partnership incrementally compelling. With plot points curving towards unintentional hilarity—such as McQuade resurrecting his buried Bronco—the film embraces its absurdity wholeheartedly, providing relentless entertainment.

Noteworthy technical aspects include an operatic Spaghetti Western score that amplifies the film's dramatic flair and a Blu-ray transfer that provides a crisp, film-like experience. The audio remains faithful to the original, contributing to a nostalgic ambiance that fans will appreciate. While the Blu-ray release lacks substantial extras, the streamlined presentation ensures that the raw essence of "Lone Wolf McQuade" remains intact—an earnest, sweaty homage to the golden era of action films where sincerity met sheer absurdity head-on.

"Lone Wolf McQuade" on Blu-ray reaffirms its status as one of Chuck Norris' most memorable ventures into the realm of hybrid western/martial arts action films. Set against a backdrop of '80s over-the-top action, this release delivers on both nostalgia and spectacle. The film, which showcases Norris in his prime, features a notable performance by David Carradine as the antagonist, further elevating its cult status. Although the plot is predictably filled with clichés, viewers seeking light-hearted, explosive fun will find plenty to enjoy.

Technically, MGM's Blu-ray edition brings "Lone Wolf McQuade" its best visual treatment to date, with a clear improvement in video quality over previous versions. However, the audio remains a weak point, lacking the enhancement that could have made it truly standout. Additionally, the Blu-ray is sparse in terms of extras, offering only a solitary trailer. While it may not be packed with bonus content, this release is nevertheless a treat for die-hard fans of Chuck Norris and those nostalgic for 80s action cinema.

Though it isn't saying much, "Lone Wolf McQuade" is one of Chuck Norris' best beat-em-up/shoot-em-ups, a hybrid western/martial arts action movie that's over-the-top in all the right ways. No one's gonna mistake this one for "No Country for Old Men," but it's goofy fun and it hits the spot if you're nostalgic for '80s cheese. MGM's Blu-ray release is bare-boned, with only a trailer in the extras tab, but the film certainly looks better here than it ever has on home video. Is it worth the cost of the upgrade for Chuck Norris fans? Probably. All others would best be served adding "Lone Wolf McQuade" to their Netflix queues.