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Review #125: Appaloosa
Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch, two experienced lawmen are brought into the town of Appaloosa, to clean up the place from a hard-handed rancher called Randall Bragg and his band of gunslingers.
Upon near completion of their task, things go wrong for the two lawmen and Virgil's new ladyfriend Allie gets kidnapped, and Bragg is rescued from the noose by his men.
It's up to Virgil and Everett to clean up this mess and return order to Appaloosa, once and for all.
For what could have been an action packed Western, Appaloosa is actually a rather quiet set of affairs with only the odd hit of gunplay and excitement.
The movie is based mainly around the relationship between Virgil, Allie and Everett.
Everything else comes in second to the trio of lead characters.
When the action gets going, it's short, but not really very sweet, sadly. There are some pretty nice little twists and turns that lead to the more exciting scenes, but there's not enough to keep an action fan interested.
The screenplay, plot and overall story however, are absolutely tip top. The rounded character writing and air of history that's built around the main duo of Virgil and Everett is also very well put together. Sadly, that's about it.
Some of the dialogue is a little contrived though. Occasionally it borders cringe-worthy.
Ed Harris (who also directed) as Virgil Cole, is very well placed in the film. He's believable and plays the mildly funny role perfectly.
Viggo Mortensen as Everett Hitch is also perfectly placed in the 'quiet Western' setting. His on screen chemistry with Harris is brilliant though.
Jeremy Irons as Randall Bragg is ok, but nothing that really stands out and his Irish accent is abysmal. He's barely threatening either for a bad guy.
Renee Zellweger as love interest Allie French, however, is seriously out of place. The character of Allie is well written, it's Zellweger that's the big mistake. I didn't realise botox was invented back in the 1800s, let alone so much that a person's face could be distorted in such a way... it puts a dampener on pretty much any facial expression she tries to express. Her acting is also lacklustre.
All in all, one of the most forgettable modern Westerns and really not worth the time to watch unless you're after a relatively well written screenplay and a couple of good lead actors. It's dull in tone and lacking in excitement and tension.
My rating 38%
Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch, two experienced lawmen are brought into the town of Appaloosa, to clean up the place from a hard-handed rancher called Randall Bragg and his band of gunslingers.
Upon near completion of their task, things go wrong for the two lawmen and Virgil's new ladyfriend Allie gets kidnapped, and Bragg is rescued from the noose by his men.
It's up to Virgil and Everett to clean up this mess and return order to Appaloosa, once and for all.
For what could have been an action packed Western, Appaloosa is actually a rather quiet set of affairs with only the odd hit of gunplay and excitement.
The movie is based mainly around the relationship between Virgil, Allie and Everett.
Everything else comes in second to the trio of lead characters.
When the action gets going, it's short, but not really very sweet, sadly. There are some pretty nice little twists and turns that lead to the more exciting scenes, but there's not enough to keep an action fan interested.
The screenplay, plot and overall story however, are absolutely tip top. The rounded character writing and air of history that's built around the main duo of Virgil and Everett is also very well put together. Sadly, that's about it.
Some of the dialogue is a little contrived though. Occasionally it borders cringe-worthy.
Ed Harris (who also directed) as Virgil Cole, is very well placed in the film. He's believable and plays the mildly funny role perfectly.
Viggo Mortensen as Everett Hitch is also perfectly placed in the 'quiet Western' setting. His on screen chemistry with Harris is brilliant though.
Jeremy Irons as Randall Bragg is ok, but nothing that really stands out and his Irish accent is abysmal. He's barely threatening either for a bad guy.
Renee Zellweger as love interest Allie French, however, is seriously out of place. The character of Allie is well written, it's Zellweger that's the big mistake. I didn't realise botox was invented back in the 1800s, let alone so much that a person's face could be distorted in such a way... it puts a dampener on pretty much any facial expression she tries to express. Her acting is also lacklustre.
All in all, one of the most forgettable modern Westerns and really not worth the time to watch unless you're after a relatively well written screenplay and a couple of good lead actors. It's dull in tone and lacking in excitement and tension.
My rating 38%
