McQueen...Cool to the End

Story-wise, The Hunter is about as good as a solid episode of The Rockford Files. But McQueen's performance as real-life bounty hunter Papa Thorson elevates the material. There's also a truly exceptional action sequence set in Chicago (features a rooftop foot chase, L train hostage standoff, and a parking garage demolition derby) that seems to cover half the city. Guessing they might've drawn some inspiration from the finale of "The Naked City."

Aside from Paul Newman, I'm not sure there's ever been an American actor as cool as McQueen. He could do more with a look than most actors could with a page of dialogue.

Inspired comedy: McQueen was obviously an accomplished driver so the decision to make Papa terrible at parallel parking was a fun wink to the audience.