When I stumbled upon the 1997 Western "The Shooter" here in 2024, I had never heard about it. And seeing that it was directed by Fred Olen Ray, I have to admit that I wasn't really harboring much of any grand expectations to the movie. But with it being a movie that I hadn't already seen, of course I opted to give the movie a fair chance.
Writer Tony Giglio put together a rather enjoyable script and storyline. It was pretty straightforward, sure, but I liked it.
The only familiar faces on the screen were leading actor Michael Dudikoff, and also Kane Hodder and Nils Allen Stewart. I have to say that Michael Dudikoff carried the movie quite nicely, and it was nice to see him in a movie such as this; one that wasn't the archetypical action movies he starred in earlier. I was surprised to see the likes of Kane Hodder and Nils Allen Stewart in the movie, despite it being in small roles only. But their presence was most welcomed, nonetheless. The acting performances in the movie were good.
If you enjoy Western movies, then I will say that this movie is actually worth watching. I was genuinely entertained throughout the course of the movie.
I will actually go as far as to saying that this is by far the best movie from director Fred Olen Ray that I've seen.
My rating of "The Shooter" lands on a six out of ten stars.