Alright, fellow tape travelers, slide that well-worn cassette into the VCR, ignore the slightly wobbly tracking for a second, and let's talk about a film that probably landed in your weekend rental pile purely on the strength of its cover star: 1995's Top Dog. Yes, it’s the one where Chuck Norris gets partnered with… well, a dog. It sounds like a Saturday morning cartoon pitch, and honestly, sometimes it plays like one, but there's a weird, undeniable 90s sincerity baked into this oddity.
Coming hot off the heels (or maybe slightly tripping over them) of hits like Turner & Hooch (1989) and K-9 (1989), Top Dog felt like Norris throwing his roundhouse kick into the "cop and unlikely animal partner" ring. Here, he's Jake Wilder, a tough San Diego cop mourning his previous partner (killed in a genuinely grim opening sequence involving white supremacists – more on that jarring tone later). Enter Reno, a highly intelligent Briard whose police handler was also killed by the same villains. Naturally, they team up. Because, 90s action logic!
A Norris Family Affair
What makes Top Dog interesting right off the bat is that it’s directed by Aaron Norris, Chuck's younger brother, who helmed several of his sibling's later vehicles like Delta Force 2 (1990) and TV's Walker, Texas Ranger. You can feel that familiar, straightforward Norris style here – lots of medium shots, clear action staging, and an emphasis on Chuck doing his thing. There's a certain no-nonsense efficiency to it, even when the plot involves Reno the dog uncovering clues with his super-smell or commandeering a police car. Reportedly, Chuck Norris was actually quite involved with the dog's training and action scenes, wanting to ensure Reno (played by a canine actor also named Reno, conveniently) looked convincing alongside him.
The plot itself involves stopping a domestic terrorist plot orchestrated by neo-Nazis planning to bomb a racial unity rally. This is where the film gets... weird. The villains are cartoonishly evil, spouting racist bile that feels genuinely nasty, clashing awkwardly with scenes of Reno playfully interfering with Jake's disastrous attempts at dating or chewing on crucial evidence. It’s a tonal rollercoaster that never quite settles. Tragically, the film’s release coincided almost exactly with the horrific Oklahoma City bombing in April 1995. Dealing with domestic terrorism, this timing couldn't have been worse, and it understandably tanked the film's already slim chances at the box office, grossing just over $5 million against an estimated $10 million budget. Critics were savage, audiences stayed away, and it quickly faded into video store obscurity.
That 90s Action Feel
But let's talk action, because that's why you rented a Chuck Norris flick, right? While Top Dog isn't exactly Missing in Action (1984) levels of explosive mayhem, it delivers Norris's signature brand of practical martial arts and gunplay. Remember how real those punches and kicks felt back then? There's a groundedness to the fights – no excessive wire-fu or CGI enhancements here. When Norris throws a kick, you feel the impact (or at least, the sound effect Foley artist wants you to). There are car chases through San Diego streets, warehouse shootouts, and the obligatory final confrontation. It’s competent stuff, staged clearly by Aaron Norris, even if it lacks the high-octane thrills of Norris's Cannon Films heyday. The practical effects, like bullet hits sparking off metal or small explosions, have that tangible, pre-digital quality that just hits different on a CRT screen. Compared to today's often weightless digital effects, there's a charm to seeing real squibs and real stunt performers taking falls.
Man and His Best (Canine) Partner
Chuck Norris plays Jake Wilder pretty much as you'd expect: stoic, tough, but with a glimmer of heart, especially as he bonds with Reno. Their chemistry is… functional. Reno steals most scenes he's in, partly because a big fluffy dog doing police work is inherently amusing, and partly because the script gives him all the best moments. Michele Lamar Richards does her best as Detective Savannah Harper, trying to inject some sense into the proceedings, and a very young Erik von Detten plays Jake’s nephew, providing the requisite kid-in-peril moments. It's not exactly Shakespeare, but the cast commits to the premise. Did anyone else find it funny how Reno seemed smarter than most of the human characters?
One fun retro fact: the specific breed chosen, the Briard, isn't your typical movie police dog like a German Shepherd. They're known for being intelligent and loyal herding dogs, which maybe lent Reno that slightly aloof, super-competent air. It was a slightly off-beat choice that adds to the film's quirky character.
The Verdict on Rewind
Top Dog is undeniably a lesser entry in the Chuck Norris filmography. It's tonally confused, the script is predictable, and the premise stretches credibility thinner than a worn-out VHS tape ribbon. Yet… there’s an earnest charm here. It’s a product of its time, attempting to blend family-friendly animal antics with serious action stakes, and mostly fumbling it, but doing so with a certain guileless conviction. Seeing Norris navigate scenes with his canine co-star provides unintentional comedy gold at times. It’s the kind of movie you’d catch late at night on cable, shake your head at, but maybe keep watching anyway.
Rating: 4/10 - The rating reflects the film's significant flaws – the jarring tone, weak script, and unfortunate timing hurt it badly. However, the 4 points acknowledge the simple nostalgic pleasure of seeing Chuck Norris in action, the amusing dog antics, and the earnest (if clumsy) attempt at a 90s action-comedy formula. It's objectively not good, but for hardcore Norris fans or lovers of weird VHS-era curios, it offers some unintentional laughs and predictable action beats.
Final Thought: Forget high-tech K9 units; Top Dog is a reminder of a time when all an action hero needed was fists, fury, and a surprisingly well-trained Briard to take a bite out of crime, even if the movie itself barely left a mark. Still good for a chuckle if you manage expectations.