Predrag This is another cop film from the 70's, (probably the best decade for this genre). If you've seen Brannigan and enjoyed that, then you'll know what to expect. The plot is surprisingly cleverly worked out, the clues casually planted along the way and never given too much attention until they fall into place even if one of the villains among the boys in blue seems rather obvious. John Wayne plays McQ, a Seattle cop. When his friend, also a cop, gets killed McQ sets out to find his killers, and has no ethics about how he does it. As the plot leads him into the seedy underworld, (what 70's cop film doesn't) he quits the police force and becomes a private eye in order to catch and bring the killers to justice.This is by no means a great John Wayne action picture. It does, however, hold its own and hold interest. Wayne, as usual, take the high moral ground and refuses to compromise on what he believes to be right. Lettieri is a terrific villain, underplaying the menace, and there's a decent funky Elmer Bernstein score, but it's a solid film rather than an inspired one. Director Sturges creates an uncomplicated sense of flow, keeping the story moving along, using the backdrop of Seattle very well. Some parts that would normally seem slow (character development) are kept afloat by better than average performances by Watkins, Muldaur and Dewhurst, who, incidentally, doesn't do any skag. I liked the hot pursuit car chase sequences (there were three) not because they were car chase sequences, but thoughtfully done, well-planned, professionally shot, highly exciting car chase sequences. It may not have all the CGI special effects and fancy stuff newer movies have, but some of the best movies ever made were made before computers.Overall rating: 8 out of 10.

ma-cortes This thrilling movie is a genuine ripping yarn with intrigue , mystery , tension and outstanding twists plots . An agreeable all action seventies nostalgia trip , being fast paced and rightly developed . The picture is packed with a stuffed ragbag of drugs , heavy arms and cars . Seattle cop Lon McQ (aging Wayne , he was 66 when he played a cop for the first time) investigates the murder of his best friend , Stan Boyle (William Bryant) , and the corruption within the police department . McQ believes Manuel Santiago (Al Lettieri) is behind this killing . McQ is a peculiar cop who lives on a boat (this boat McQ lives on actually belonged to John Wayne) and using mercilessly weapons (introducing the MAC-10 submachine gun to the general public and creating a demand for it) against enemy . As defying the orders of his superior , Captain Ed Kosterman (Eddie Albert) , lieutenant McQ takes justice on his own hands , he resigns to track them down . McQ enlists the help of private detective "Pinky" (David Huddleston) and J . C. (Jordan Christopher) . Meanwhile , McQ becomes involved with a twisted intrigue filled with narcotics , corrupt people , big dope dealers , shotguns and traitors . McQ driving his car Brewster Green 1973 Pontiac pursues and shoots nasties , mobsters and corrupt police officers . Including an exciting and breathtaking finale car chase .One of Duke's last movies with a more work modern day assignment than most . Stepping out of his ordinary Westerns and into the character of a Seattle police man , here Big Duke goes in search of revenge on the gangsters who killed his best friend . Although , it was originally intended as a vehicle for Steve McQueen , it was heavily rewritten for John Wayne . John Wayne starred in this film , along with Brannigan (1975) , because he missed out on starring in Dirty Harry (1971). Stirring film in which there are nail-biting action scenes , intrigue , blasts , suspenseful set pieces and a big star as well as an excellent plethora of secondaries such as : Eddie Albert , Colleen Dewhurst , Clu Gulager , David Huddleston , Al Lettieri , Roger E. Mosley , Julian Christopher , and Julie Adams . This thrilling film is just a rip-off of Bullit (1968) and Dirty Harry , taking parts here and there . Colorful and atmospheric cinematography by Harry Stradling . Including the spectacular ending sequence in which McQ (Wayne) and Lois (Diana Muldaur) driving along the coast , it was filmed on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State ; there were filming delays when the beach was foggy . Original musical score by the classic Elmer Bernstein , including a catching leitmotif . The motion picture was compelling and forcefully directed , thanks capable hands of filmmaker John Sturges , if not much continuity , though at the beginning he was opposed to the casting of John Wayne in the title role , due to the actor's age . This is the only movie westerns director John Sturges and westerns film actor John Wayne made together . The redoubtable John demonstrates his skill and mettle here . Sturges was a warlike genre expert (Great escape , Never so few , The Eagle has landed) and Western master (Gunfight OK Corral , Last train of Gun Hill , The law and Jake Wade , Magnificent Seven , Escape from Fort Bravo ). McQ rating: 6.5/10 , Acceptable and passable. It is like Dirty Harry done with a veteran Big Duke . Well worth seeing , the movie will appeal to John Wayne fans .

Milan Sure, he maybe over the hill, and he maybe miscast in a role that was tailor made for Steve McQueen or Clint Eastwood, but the Duke is still good as a crusader police detective, fighting the department and the crooks at the same time, and, as in any good crime picture, he wins on both fronts. McQ is no better or worse than most of 70's cop movies, and it's crafty pace and looks have a lot to do with two veteran professionals, John Sturges directing, and John Wayne's portrayal of action roles, that he does strictly by the numbers.If you're a fan of police & thieves genre crime movies of the 70's, you won't be disappointed with this showcase for the Duke, and may even enjoy it. Be sure to give it a look.

ianlouisiana Mr Wayne was 67 years old and suffering from "The Big C" when he made "McQ".Think about that for a moment.Ostensibly in "Denial",he must,in his most secret thoughts,had vivid visions of his own mortality, and it shows in the movie where,just occasionally,his eyes appear distracted,his mind momentarily elsewhere.This serves to add piquancy to a performance of sensitivity and intelligence from the twilight of the career of one of America's finest screen actors - no question. In this criminally underrated piece Mr Wayne works with many familiar faces old and new,some of whom were about to enter careers as bastions of the burgeoning industry of TV movie production. There are a lot of car chases,imaginatively photographed and superbly recorded ,that are as good as any in the genre.Mr Wayne exhibits self - deprecating humour,strength,compassion,vulnerability and confusion with consummate professionalism. Viewed with the benefit of a third of a century of hindsight "McQ" might seem quaint,corny and fearfully non - PC and it certainly isn't an immortal work of art,but judged - as it surely should be - by the criteria of its time,it's an exciting and entertaining movie with an excellent big star performance.