12/27/2022 0 Comments Cowboys and aliens extended![]() Olivia Wilde is decent, although a little awkward at first, in her role as Ella, while Sam Rockwell proves reliable yet again, this time playing the timid Doc who gets a chance to shine when forced into action. Harrison Ford does his usual grumpy old man schtick, but adapts it nicely into a grumpy old cowboy with the chance to be something greater. It’s strange to hear the British actor speaking without his signature accent, but he pulls off the American speech really well. The physical sets and on-location filming really encourage that.ĭaniel Craig is excellent as a tough cowboy with a dark, mysterious past. In the end, no matter what sci-fi detours the film takes, it keeps its roots in a western base that never strays too far to lose that genuine vibe. Not only does it make for a fantastic setpiece, but it makes for some great moments in a truly unique setting (although, I feel like it could have been used to a greater extent, but I guess it would have felt a little like The Poseidon Adventure set in the west?). One of the most impressive scenes is when the posse tracking an alien come upon the wreckage of an overturned ferryboat in the middle of the desert, far from where any water would be. Favreau also opts for some great on-location filming which really aids in creating the western vibe, and only relies on CG as needed. Where Spielberg could sometimes be a bit heavy-handed with such material, Favreau gets a great performance out of his actors to get the job done right (whereas Spielberg might wrangle an A-list actor to mediocre results). However, Favreau actually tackles character development in a much more natural way than the famed filmmaker. Aspects of the action/adventure segments brought to mind a strange Jurassic Park feel at times, which reminded me that this movie seems like something I could have seen Spielberg doing in the 90’s. It’s strange to think a film like this works as well as it does, but it has a whole lot to do with its strong execution.īut Jon Favreau is no stranger to great action or sci-fi. Lead by Daniel Craig (most known as the current James Bond) and then the legendary Harrison Ford, the pair are joined by TRON Legacy‘s Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell ( Moon, Galaxy Quest, Iron Man 2) and a plethora of familiar faces and quality actors. But to really make this work, the director has enlisted the aid of an A-list cast. As aliens enter the picture, the western culture can only describe them as “demons.” They react convincingly to this out-of-this-world threat and it helps sell the concept well. ![]() At the same time, Favreau takes the genre into a head-on collision with science fiction. From the costumes, the grit and dirt of the lifestyle, to the weapons, posses and law keepers, it’s all there. With Cowboys & Aliens, Favreau completely embraces an authentic wild west feel. But what’s the real icing on this proverbial cake? Getting James Bond and Indiana Jones together to face-off with the creepy extraterrestrials. He’s scored with such gems as Elf, Zathura and Iron Man, so the thought of placing this kind of material in his hands is intriguing. Also, skilled actor-turned-director Jon Favreau has proven he can handle the camera quite well. However, knowing that the source material for Cowboys & Aliens is a graphic novel with a cult following makes a whole lot more sense. Of course, that feel can also be blamed on having the director of the sci-fi comedy helming the project in the first place, but the idea of full-on merging “cowboys” with “aliens” might send shivers up some film fans’ spines as being just one bad idea. The 1999 big screen adaptation of the TV show Wild Wild West was a bizarre and sloppy mix of Men In Black and a western. The last time sci-fi and westerns held hands, it ended in tears. Mixing genres is risky business when it comes to making movies. Now, the stranger they rejected is their only hope for salvation… Screaming down with breathtaking velocity and blinding lights to abduct the helpless one by one, these monsters challenge everything the residents have ever known. It’s a town that lives in fear.īut Absolution is about to experience fear it can scarcely comprehend as the desolate city is attacked by marauders from the sky. What he discovers is that the people of Absolution don’t welcome strangers, and nobody makes a move on its streets unless ordered to do so by the iron-fisted Colonel Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford). The only hint to his history is a mysterious shackle that encircles one wrist. A stranger (Daniel Craig) with no memory of his past stumbles into the hard desert town of Absolution. Running Time: 1 hour, 58 minutes / 2 hours, 15 minutesġ875. Starring: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde ![]() ![]() – for intense sequences of western and sci-fi action and violence, some partial nudity and a brief crude reference.
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