Search - The Hunter on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 1/8/2022...

Had it's moments but required the 120X FF too to not drag along with the movie.

Underrated Action Dramatic Film with a Tinge of Melanchoy

gobirds2 | New England | 01/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an interesting and highly entertaining film of an actual modern day bounty hunter "Pappy" Thorson played by Steve McQueen in one of his best roles. McQueen gives an excellent performance of the aging bounty hunter that has outlived his usefulness and is out of place in the modern concrete world. One poignant scene has McQueen and Ben Johnson exchanging dialogue between two old lawmen. This was Steve McQueen's last film and you can detect a sense of better days long gone by. Yet he went out in the vein as the cool man of action that he was best associated. This was probably Buzz Kulik's finest directorial achievement as well. Kulik never seemed to live up to his potential, but this is his best effort. Kulik was able to get great performances from the actors and develop a camaraderie that can be felt on the screen. The cast also included Eli Wallach, Kathryn Harrold and LeVar Burton. Composer Michel Legrand who scored "The Thomas Crown Affair" was brought in to score this last film for McQueen. This film was a critical failure. I beg to differ. Knowing a little about the type of man Steve McQueen was this film demonstrates his great ability as an actor and a real human being. He knew the end was near and he wanted to go out the same door he came in."

" My friends call me Papa- you can call me MR. THORSON..."

Matthew Romanchuk | Westwood, N.J. USA | 11/29/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This was Steve McQueens' last film and is not generally held in high regard by critics and fans alike. However, it is an interesting mix of comedy and action with an array of memorable characters that the viewer will remember. McQueen plays Ralph "Papa" Thorson, a modern day bounty hunter that will employ practically any means to capture bail jumpers. ( The real Ralph Thorson has a cameo in the film as a bartender) Though McQueen was ill at the time of production,( he allegedly only found out of his terminal condition after checking into the hospital after filming was completed) he gives a multilayered performance which shows his high degree of skill as an actor. There are of course some excellent action sequences, but what is more interesting is the subtle/low key humour that McQueen employs to round out his character: he is shown to be a terrible driver in the movie, while in real life he was near professional level. Also his love of antiques shows his old school obsessions and distrust of the modern world. " Anything new is not good." he states rather ruefully. There is a sweet subplot where his girlfriend( Kathryn Harrold) is preparing to have their child which collides with the scary main plot where a former quarry turns the tables on McQueen and comes after him for revenge. Eli Wallach is very amusing in a supporting role as a bail bondsman, as Levar Burton is as a bail jumper who is befriended by McQueen and starts hanging around his house. Mixed in along the way are several other scenes which show the professionalism and determination of McQueens' character to carry out his job, but still remain an honest and decent man at the end of the day. One in particular is very disturbing where a cop friend of McQueens' gets into deep trouble and can only see a violent solution to his problem. In 1980, I was on a plane from New York to Chicago when Good Morning America showed a clip from this just released film. It was very interesting to me that when I observed the fellow passengers( practically all of them were businessmen in suits fiddling with reports and calculators) they were simply hypnotized by Steve McQueens' presense when with gun in hand, he confronts a would be escapee with grit and droll humuor. I kind of felt then that they were thinking: " Yeah, I wish I was doing something like that and was this guy." So in summary, " The Hunter" is a well made action film/character study which caps the great Steve McQueens' career. Audiences will also appreciate the subtle/sly comedy which is very deftly worked into the film. Thankyou Mr. McQueen. Your work will not be forgotten."

Fitting movie to end a career

Matthew Romanchuk | 05/13/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"McQueen is fantastic as Papa Thorson - a bounty hunter devoted to his family, friends and work. This is Steve McQueen's last film before he died, and rates as one of his best in my opinion, along with The Sand Pebbles, Papillon and The Great Escape. The Chicago chase scene is awesome, and McQueen's acting as the unlikely hunter is very believable. They don't make action flicks like this anymore, with the lead as a real person, not just a macho gun toting hero. Recommended."