Ten years ago Chuck Norris took his movie tough guy routine to television. It is there that he has enjoyed far greater success than in his films. For nine years Norris brought us the ultimate Texas Ranger in a formula cops and robbers show. The show often became a parody of itself, but maintained a solid viewership throughout. Hell, Norris even sings the theme song. Truthfully, what started as a one man show had become a good working ensemble that probably kept the train going for so long.
Walker (Norris) is a tough guy Texas Ranger. He is partnered with Sydney Cooke (Peebles) and Jimmy Trivetti (Gilyard) who’s an ex-jock with a brain. Together they fight the evils that come to the high plains of Texas armed with their fists, six-shooters, and Stetsons.
Audio
Not much to be found in this minimalist Dolby Digital 2.0 audio track. The dialogue is clear and so are the gunshots. What else do you need from a Chuck Norris show. Everything is clean, just not extremely dynamic. Pans are used well at times but mostly the mains are identical.
Video
As with most 1990’s television series, Walker is presented in a standard 1.33:1 full screen format. The standard four episodes per disc leave little room for excellence in video quality. You’ll see plenty of compression artifact, particularly on blacker scenes. Colors are pretty much right on if not brilliant. The Texas vistas at times remind me of many a cowboy film. You can count on the show looking at least as good as it did when it was broadcast.
Special Features
ZIP!
Final Thoughts
I’m not exactly sure why it was decided to show the final season first. If you are using the DVD’s as a way of being introduced to the show, this is not the one to buy. The season finale reveals quite a few spoilers from previous year’s episodes. After nine long years, Walker has ridden into the sunset. A good run by any standard. Now the future lies in DVD releases, which I hope will go back to the beginning. For now if you want to see that infamous cowboy, “Look behind you, cause that’s where the ranger’s gonna be”.
