McQ Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

John Wayne drives a cool car and shoots bad guys because his friend died; turns out, the friend was one of the bad guys all along, so he shoots more bad guys.

🍿 McQ: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Murder of Stan Boyle

The film opens with the brutal murder of several police officers, including Stan Boyle, a close friend and partner of Lieutenant Lon McQ. McQ, a tough and unorthodox Seattle cop, immediately suspects local drug lord Manuel Santiago is behind the killings, setting him on a collision course with his superiors and the city’s criminal underworld.

McQ Goes Rogue

Frustrated by bureaucratic roadblocks and ordered to back off Santiago, McQ resigns from the police force and goes rogue, determined to bring Boyle’s killer to justice. He enlists the help of a private investigator, Pinky Farrell, and begins his own investigation, navigating the dangerous streets and shadowy figures of Seattle’s drug scene.

Uncovering Police Corruption

As McQ delves deeper, he uncovers a shocking conspiracy involving not only Santiago but also elements within the police department itself. He realizes that Boyle was involved in a scheme to steal and resell confiscated drugs, and that his murder was a result of this illicit activity. This revelation forces McQ to confront not just criminals but also the corruption within his own ranks.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• McQ (John Wayne): A tough Seattle police lieutenant who resigns to investigate his partner’s murder and uncover police corruption.
• Kosterman (Eddie Albert): McQ’s superior officer, a police captain who seems reluctant to let McQ handle the case.
• Santiago (Al Lettieri): A respectable businessman and shipyard owner who fronts for massive shipments of narcotics from Canada.
• Lois (Diana Muldaur): The widow of McQ’s murdered partner, who becomes entangled in the investigation.
• Toms (Clu Gulager): A city councilman and friend to both McQ and Boyle, who is later revealed to be corrupt.
• Myra (Colleen Dewhurst): A cocktail waitress and informant who was close to Boyle and provides McQ with information.
• J.C. (Julian Christopher): A police sergeant and friend of McQ who helps with the investigation.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jack: “Lon, it’s not licensed!” – The gun shop owner’s concern when McQ ‘borrows’ the MAC-10.
• McQ: “Jack, neither am I.” – McQ’s reply to the gun shop owner, after ‘borrowing’ the unlicensed MAC-10, highlighting his rebellious nature.
• McQ: “Get some foam on this thing. I’m up to my butt in gas!” – McQ’s urgent call for help after his car is crushed between two semi-trucks.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $240,350
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 McQ Reviews

Personal Review

I watched McQ because I’m a John Wayne fan, and I was curious to see him in a different kind of role. While it’s not his best movie, I still enjoyed it. The car chase on the beach was awesome, and it’s always fun to see Wayne kick some butt. I think it’s a fun watch if you don’t take it too seriously. There was a scene where he basically pimped himself to this drugged out woman for information, which was uncomfortable to watch and took away from my enjoyment. Overall, I liked it, but would recommend Brannigan instead.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of John Wayne”
  • “Viewers interested in 1970s crime dramas”
  • “Those who appreciate films with car chases and shootouts”
  • “People who like stories about police corruption”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Brief sexual content”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite Wayne’s undeniable screen presence, McQ feels like a forced attempt to modernize his image. The plot is convoluted, and the action, while present, lacks the punch of its contemporaries. A misfire for both Wayne and Sturges.
• IMDB: “McQ is a decent, but ultimately unmemorable, entry in the 70s cop thriller genre. Wayne’s age is noticeable, but he still delivers a solid performance. The car chases are fun, and the supporting cast is strong. Worth a watch for Wayne fans, but not essential viewing.

Audience Reactions

The car chases are exciting and well-choreographed.: Many viewers appreciate seeing John Wayne in a modern setting, even if the film is dated.

The twist involving the corrupt cops is unexpected.: Al Lettieri’s performance as the drug kingpin is memorable.

Overall Consensus: McQ is a decent but flawed 70s cop thriller with John Wayne trying his hand at a ‘Dirty Harry’-esque role. It’s a fun watch for fans of the genre or the Duke, but it doesn’t quite reach the heights of its contemporaries.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “John Wayne initially missed out on playing Dirty Harry, making ‘McQ’ an attempt to capture that tough-cop archetype later in his career.”
• “The movie features the Ingram MAC-10 submachine gun, introducing it to the general public and creating a demand for it.”
• “The car chase sequence on the beach is notable for being one of the first to feature a cannon roll car stunt in a film.”
• “The boat McQ lives on in the movie actually belonged to John Wayne in real life.”

🖥️ How to Watch McQ?

McQ is currently available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray can be found through online retailers like Amazon and at major brick-and-mortar stores. Check your local listings for potential television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed McQ, you might like these similar films:

• Bullitt (1968): Features a no-nonsense cop and groundbreaking car chase sequences that influenced ‘McQ’.
• Dirty Harry (1971): Explores a similarly rogue cop battling crime within a corrupt system and served as inspiration for McQ’s character.
• The French Connection (1971): A gritty crime drama with a focus on drug trafficking and a determined cop, sharing thematic similarities with ‘McQ’.
• Brannigan (1975): Another John Wayne cop movie, this time set in London, offering a similar blend of action and detective work.

🛒 McQ Related Products

• McQ [Blu-ray]: Own the gritty 70s cop thriller in stunning high definition, with bonus features and behind-the-scenes content.
• 1973 Pontiac Trans Am – McQ Movie Car Replica: A detailed die-cast model of McQ’s iconic ‘Green Hornet’ Trans Am, perfect for collectors and fans of the film.
• Ingram MAC-10 Replica: A non-firing replica of the Ingram MAC-10 submachine gun, as used by McQ in the film, makes a great addition to a costume or a movie collection.
• John Wayne: The Iconic Collection [DVD]: A collection of John Wayne’s greatest hits, including McQ, offering hours of entertainment.

🎧 Soundtrack

McQ features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Elmer Bernstein
• “The Set Up” – performed by Elmer Bernstein
• “End Title” – performed by Elmer Bernstein

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

John Wayne’s Coolest Scenes #11: Taking A Shower, “McQ” (1974)

Ever wondered what a tough guy like John Wayne does to unwind after a long day of fighting crime? This clip from ‘McQ’ gives you a peek – and it’s surprisingly cool!

’73 Trans Am chase in McQ

Check out this awesome car chase scene from ‘McQ’ featuring a classic ’73 Trans Am! Honestly, these older car chases are so much cooler than today’s CGI-filled scenes.

✨ Rate