McQ

Directed by John Sturges, McQ follows John Wayne’s title character as he attempts to unravel a wide-ranging conspiracy that’s left several police officers dead. Filmmaker Sturges, armed with a screenplay by Lawrence Roman, does a terrific job of initially luring the viewer into the gritty proceedings, as McQ kicks off with a stirring opening stretch that effectively establishes Wayne’s grizzled figure and the progressively complicated scenario in which he finds himself – with the promising atmosphere undoubtedly heightened by Wayne’s commanding turn as the righteous, rebellious McQ. It’s clear, then, that the picture’s overall impact is hindered rather severely by a hit-and-miss, episodic midsection, and there’s little doubt, as well, that the narrative’s increasingly convoluted bent does make it more and more difficult to wholeheartedly care about the protagonist’s recurring efforts. The sporadic emphasis on admittedly enthralling sequences and digressions, including (and especially) a heist that gives way to a foot pursuit and car chase, goes a long way towards buoying the viewer’s waning interest, while the exciting (and violent) climax ensures that the whole thing concludes on a memorable, positive note – with the final result a decent ’70s thriller that probably should’ve topped out at about an hour and a half.

**1/2 out of ****