Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

”I’m getting too old for this kind of &^%$.” Papa Thorson

Steve McQueen earned an enviable reputation as an action star during the sixties and early 70s in films like The Great Escape, Bullitt, and The Getaway. Sadly, The Hunter, his last film, does not add to that reputation.

McQueen stars as Ralph "Papa" Thorson, a bail enforcement officer or bounty hunter who relies on an archaic law to cross state lines and apprehend bail jumpers using any force necessary. Much is made of Thorson’s aversion to things new – he drives an ancient jalopy and listens to classical music on the radio and can’t drive for #$%^ - and these elements do work in the movie’s favor providing some comic relief from the prevailing pattern of action punctuated by long periods of sheer boredom as the befuddled Thorson tries to relate to his live-in pregnant and frustrated girlfriend (Kathryn Harold) and house full of freeloaders who run a 24/7 card game.

For Steve McQueen, who began his career as a TeeVee bounty hunter in Wanted: Dead or Alive, (remember that?) the role of Papa Thorson meant his career had come full circle. The action sequences run fair to middling, considering McQueen himself was dying from lung cancer his slowing down can perhaps be forgiven. His shabby nomex flight jacket is a major turn off and appears far too frequently so costuming gets a thumbs down. It did have an inside pocket to carry Steve’s old reliable Colt 45 Automatic that he used in so many films so that was no doubt why he wore it rain or shine, day or night.

The action sequences show glimmers of the old Steve McQueen and I particularly liked the chase between the car and the combine in the cornfield but the interim parts of the film showing Papa’s home life drag and drag. The screenwriting does little to provide a narrative drive or continuity and the score lays irritating stress at the obvious places.

The one thing I can say for this is pure speculation: The Hunter is interesting in the sense that it shows a man befuddled by the present world and wishing he lived in a simpler time as evidenced by his surrounding himself with antiquated toys and so on. For Steve McQueen, who could foresee his own death, perhaps he was looking into the abyss and wishing he didn’t have to cross over? In that way, the film would be autobiographical, but as I said I’m guessing.

The Paramount DVD is presented in 1.85:1 theatrical format and contains only the theatrical trailer as an extra.

I would only recommend The Hunter for die-hard Steve McQueen fans or those interested in bounty hunters.

Luckily for the rest of us, Steve McQueen left a riveting series of action films, like

Hell is for Heroes

The Great Escape

The Getaway

The Sand Pebbles

Enjoy a good action film tonight!




Recommended: No

Viewing Format: DVD