Hot Damn…
A stroke of genius. Combining the western genre with that of today’s alien fascination. But hold it right there! Didn’t they do that back in 1999 in THE WILD, WILD WEST?
They sure did.
But in COWBOYS & ALIENS they do it a hell of a lot better job of it. Not only is the talent in front of the camera—Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford—to be reckoned with, the movie’s production credits are impressive as well.
For starters there’s executive producer Steven Spielberg and co-producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer.
But major credit here goes to IRON MAN director Jon Favreau who’s kept this movie on track without letting the two perfectly credible genre’s explored here go amok.
COWBOYS & ALIENS storyline?
Classic western. It’s 1875 in Absolution, New Mexico where cattle baron Harrison Ford is the tyrannic ruler.
Enter mysterious stranger with bad case of amnesia and unusual contraption on his arm Daniel Craig who now confronts Ford’s cowardly son Paul Dano. It’s all about to make for the ultimate showdown between the man with no name and the mighty cattle baron.
But that’s where things get dicey.
Out of nowhere these alien spacecrafts start attacking the town abducting some of the good folks of Absolution.
And to Daniel Craig’s surprise his strange armbands suddenly turns into the only credible weapon against the invaders.
And now amazingly the good guys unite with the bad apples—even with the Indians– to take on this unexplainable force from beyond.
If all this sounds pretty silly I’m here to tell you it works!
After all alien invasions could’ve happened anytime during our civilization and not just be limited to the latter part of the 20th century.
Going into the screening to see this western/sci-fi collaboration I never thought I’d end up buying into the concept. But I enjoyed it and think you’ll get a big kick out of it as well.
COWBOYS & ALIENS also featuring Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell and Keith Carradine proving that what happens in Absolution—isn’t necessarily from Absolution!
I’m raising 3-1/2 out of 5 (spoiler alert: gold grabbing) fingers, pardner.
JACK GOES TO THE MOVIES Friday’s on NewsRadio KMBZ AM & FM / the new 99.7-THE POINT / and on 1660-RADIO BACH.Also anytime on Time-Warner Cable’s K.C. ON DEMAND, Channel 411 and on NEBRASKA ON DEMAND.
Sounds Like Fun Jack
Good report, I will see this because of you. Thanks
the best wild west/space opera is Joss Whedon’s Firefly.
As usual, Fox’s suits muck where no mucking is needed and the show gets cancelled but you can watch the 14 episodes on DVD — great writing, great acting, great stories….
Thanks for the Review, Jack
I enjoy your reviews. This one has definitely convinced me to see the movie. One minor point. I don’t think The Wild, Wild West movie had anything to do with aliens. Just a bad guy who kidnaps and then forces scientists to create a technologically advanced weapon for him.
Odd Couple?
Hey Craig Glazer, it’s C&A not T&A!
Are Ford and Craig the new Matthau and Lemon? Wilford Brimley’s still alive. How come he’s not in this movie?.
I just got my AARP card and I don’t feel like I’m old enough to see this flick. Online, it’s got no buzz with the Sci-Fi kids, or Sci-Fi adults for that matter. Not a lot of retail merch on the store shelves either. Check that. I’m at Target and they’ve got some Depends with alien faces in the spot where you poop.
They’ve got a Cowboys and Aliens I used to be Happy Meal at Denny’s. Oatmeal and sugar free pudding with a Geritol chaser.
Wonder if they’ll release this on 8 mm or VHS?
Onehotgranny@nursinghome.com gives it 2 gums up!
Ouch! Hey, it may not be a Happy Meal toy candidate but I betcha lots of kids will go see it with 007 and smoking hot Olivia Wilde.
Matter of fact, I’m gonna go back right now and add her photo to the story!
Reminds me of a story I read in the Enquirer about 10 years ago with photos of Ford wasted and hanging at a strip club in Wichita. Don’t ask me why.