Leofwine_draca The 1970s saw John Wayne's long-running career come to an end with the actor's death in 1979, but before that point he made two contemporary police thrillers, the only ones of his lengthy career. These were made in response to his missing out on Clint Eastwood's role in DIRTY HARRY. Of the two, I have a huge fondness for BRANNIGAN due to the London setting, but MCQ turns out to be a serviceable little picture that feels heavily indebted to BULLITT with plenty of car-focused mayhem and chasing taking place on the streets of Seattle. Wayne plays a cop in the usual maverick mould, hunting down the killers of his partner who is executed in the film's violent opening sequence. Police corruption and drug dealing are the elements of the story here, and it's all stylish and fast-paced enough to be watchable. Wayne does feel long in the tooth but his trademark charisma and charm shine through and there's very little to dislike overall.

KtheC2001 McQ is somewhat of a change of pace for John Wayne, as he trades in his horse for a Trans Am and plays a Seattle cop looking for the men who gunned down his partner. Wayne brings his trademark style into the role of Lon McQ, a no-nonsense type who is not above smacking around suspects in order to get to the truth. While it's kind of an odd fit, Wayne does deliver a credible performance, and he's assisted by a strong supporting cast, with Diana Muldaur and Colleen Dewhurst delivering standout performances in particular.The plot of McQ is filled with twists and turns, but it's also kind of thin in certain parts. I will say that the cinematography is top-notch, and really gets the most out of its location of Seattle. There are a couple of good chase scenes, which while obviously borrowing from Bullitt and The French Connection, still add quite a bit to the movie as a whole.Overall, while McQ may not be as good as say, Dirty Harry, it's still a good movie which provides a different type of role for one of Hollywood's most legendary actors.

mark.waltz When John Wayne's law enforcement partner is brutally murdered, he comes out of semi-retirement to find the people responsible. Along the way, he finds more than he bargained for, including corruption in his police department and a possible personal connection that is never confirmed. Having spent the first half of the 1970's in westerns, Wayne took on a modern setting for this and one other film ("Brannigan") in the last years of his career. The role he plays is typical of what the slightly younger Robert Mitchum or Burt Lancaster were playing at the time, and an obvious attempt to duplicate the success of the much younger Clint Eastwood's "Dirty Harry".Wayne is likable as always, and shows a sentimental family side when he goes to visit his beautiful ex-wife (the stunning Julie Adams), her extremely rich husband (Richard Eastham), and his teenage daughter (Kim Sanford) for a loan. Diana Muldaur is featured as the widow of the murdered partner who may not have been as devoted to her husband as it initially appeared. In a Thelma Ritter "Pickup on South Street" type role, the always amazing Colleen Dewhurst is excellent as the sad older woman Wayne utilizes to force out the culprits. Dewhurst's character is one of those heartbreaking creatures whose tough exterior is hiding many wounds. Her few scenes make you long for more of her. Eddie Albert is also featured in an important role, dependable as always.The chase sequence at the end was obviously influenced by "Bullett" and "The French Connection" and builds into an explosive action sequence at the conclusion where Wayne singlehandedly takes on the bad guys while Muldaur hides nearby trying to avoid being shot. The film barely succeeds with its moments more memorable than the films ultimate lack of structure.

cordaro9418 Originally turning down the role of 'Dirty Harry Callahan', Wayne was given another shot by Warner Bros. to play his first 'policeman' role in the legendary career.Not out of his league by any means, the Duke definitely fills the bitter seen it all lost my partners kill some drug dealers genre cop of the early 1970's.Not so much a rip-off of 'Dirty Harry' as a different take on the idea. Just as Eastwood's character was another take on 'Bullit'.The story moves along and doesn't skimp on much, definitely bring the popcorn and maybe one quick bathroom break.