What's the cool factor worth? Steve McQueen is cool as Ralph "Papa" Thorson, a modern day bounty hunter with a heart. It's Steve McQueen's last movie. Is that worth something? It is if you like McQueen and who did not like McQueen.
     That said, The Hunter is only mildly entertaining. The script is little more than a half dozen of Thorson's captures strung together like pearls on the strand of Thorson's domestic life combined with a death threat from a former detainee. The action is variable, depending on McQueen's charisma to carry the day. A running joke about Thorson's terrible driving keeps cropping up like a line-up of left lane Sunday drivers.  There's a generous side to Thorson that's merely touched upon when he helps a young black man he picks up get off through a promise of a job to the judge. Thorson's name carries lots of weight in this flick. The script is based on the real life adventures of Thorson. You've gotta believe his life was lots more interesting the workmanlike script.

Papa don't do no Lamaze. ©Paramount

     Source material for The Hunter is quite good. There a few minor specs of dirt, but the transfer is very sharp. Details are easily discernible. McQueen's cool look is delivered with maximum cool, but his drawn face reveals his age more than you'd like.  Color saturation is fine and black level consistently good. Shadow detail is evenly balanced. Skin tones have a nice range. The mono soundtrack is adequate.

Selections from the Feature Archive include articles on Akira Kurosawa,  Blonde Bimbos,  Frank Darabont, Steven Culp, John Herzfeld or Vietnam: The Hollywood Pariah, and many more....
Robert A. Harris
Tilting at Hollywood
He's part of the dynamic duo that restored Lawrence of Arabia, Spartacus, My Fair Lady and Vertigo. Harris rides a white horse into the for the cause of preserving our film legacy. Click on the image to read more.

L.A. Confidential (SE) /A,A

 Unquestionably the best picture of 1997. Top-notch entertainment with superb acting. 

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