Alright, fellow tapeheads, let’s rewind to a dusty corner of the video store shelf, probably nestled somewhere between the big-budget blockbusters and the straight-to-video oddities. There you might find a sun-bleached cover featuring a familiar, smiling face – Terence Hill – but maybe not quite in the setting you expect. Forget the spaghetti western saloons for a moment; 1987's They Call Me Renegade puts Hill behind the wheel of a Jeep Renegade (and later, a massive big rig named "Joe Brown") cruising through the sun-drenched landscapes of Arizona. Finding this one felt like stumbling upon a forgotten favorite, a comfortable, easygoing adventure with that unmistakable late-80s flavor.
### A Different Kind of Dusty Trail
The initial vibe is surprisingly laid-back. We meet Luke "Renegade" Hill, a drifter seemingly content roaming the open road, pulling off minor scams, and generally avoiding responsibility. He’s got the familiar twinkle in his blue eyes, but there's a touch more weariness here than in his wilder Trinity days. This film, directed by E.B. Clucher (the pseudonym for Enzo Barboni, the man who helmed They Call Me Trinity (1970) and Trinity Is Still My Name (1971)), feels like a deliberate shift, an attempt to transplant Hill’s charm into a contemporary American setting. The plot ambles into gear when Renegade is tasked by an old army buddy (now imprisoned) to look after his estranged, rebellious teenage son, Matt, played by Terence Hill’s own adopted son, Ross Hill. Oh, and he needs to claim a parcel of land his buddy rightfully owns before a shady lawyer, Lawson (Robert Vaughn), can snatch it away.
### The Heart Beneath the Hood
What unfolds is part road movie, part buddy comedy, and part gentle action flick. The real core, however, lies in the developing bond between Luke and Matt. Watching Terence Hill interact with his real-life son Ross adds a layer that’s impossible to ignore, especially given the tragic circumstances that followed. Ross, full of youthful energy and sporting some truly peak 80s fashion, holds his own against his famous father. Their banter feels natural, shifting from antagonism to grudging respect and finally genuine affection. It’s this relationship that gives the film its warmth. Tragically, Ross Hill died in a car accident just three years after this film's release, making their shared screen time here incredibly poignant and bittersweet upon rewatching. Knowing this adds a layer of unintended depth to their on-screen journey of reconciliation and understanding.
### Hands-On Action, 80s Style
Don't let the mellow start fool you; They Call Me Renegade eventually delivers the goods, albeit with that specific brand of 80s action realism. When Renegade takes the wheel of that massive Kenworth truck, emblazoned with "Joe Brown," things kick up a notch. Remember how physical stunts felt back then? There's a fantastic chase sequence involving the truck, pursuing cars, and even a helicopter that feels genuinely weighty and dangerous. You see the metal crunch, the dust fly, the near misses – all captured with that slightly gritty, unpolished look that defined the era. No slick CGI smoothing things over here. The fights, too, have that classic Terence Hill touch – less brutal, more acrobatic and comedic, often involving improbable uses of everyday objects. It's not the hyper-kinetic editing of today; it’s about seeing the performers, the timing, the sheer effort involved in making it look good. E.B. Clucher, drawing on his vast experience with Hill, knows how to stage these moments for maximum charm and impact, even on what was likely a modest budget. The Arizona filming locations, places like Phoenix and Flagstaff, provide a fantastic, authentic backdrop that feels a world away from the Italian or Spanish landscapes of his earlier hits.
### Smooth Villainy
And who better to provide the sneering corporate menace than the legendary Robert Vaughn? Fresh off roles in films like Superman III (1983) and a familiar face from classics like The Magnificent Seven (1960) and TV's The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Vaughn oozes sophisticated villainy as Lawson. He’s not a physically imposing threat, but his calm, calculating demeanor makes him a perfect foil for Hill's laid-back heroics. He represents the cold, bureaucratic obstacle standing in the way of simple justice and freedom – a classic trope, delivered with effortless style.
### Still Worth the Rental Fee?
They Call Me Renegade wasn't a massive box office smash, nor did it redefine the action-comedy genre. It's a gentler film than many of its contemporaries, perhaps a bit too leisurely paced for some modern viewers. The plot is fairly predictable, and some of the humor feels distinctly of its time. But honestly? That’s part of its charm. It has a genuine heart, thanks largely to the central father-son dynamic (both fictional and real). The action, when it arrives, is satisfyingly practical and well-staged. It feels like a comfortable old sweater – familiar, warm, and perfect for a lazy afternoon when you crave something uncomplicated and good-natured.
Rating: 7/10 - A thoroughly pleasant and often charming slice of 80s road-trip action-comedy. The pacing ambles, but the central performances (especially the poignant pairing of Terence and Ross Hill) elevate it, and the practical stunt work provides genuine, old-school thrills. It earns its score through sheer likability and nostalgic warmth.
Final Take: It might not have the manic energy of Trinity or the explosive bombast of other 80s actioners, but They Call Me Renegade cruises along on pure charm and that tangible, hands-on feel of a bygone era of filmmaking – a worthy spin in any retro fan’s VCR.