Blue-Ray hd movie review of Appaloosa
January 12, 2009
Ed Harris writes, directs, and acts in Appaloosa, a western adapted from a book by Robert Parker. I did not read this book so I can not compare the movie to the book. I don't think you need to read the book to fully enjoy this film. Ed Harris has always been one of my favorite actors. He has portrayed variety of characters throughout his movie career with very assured acting. In his second effort as director, Ed Harris delivers a very old school western about friendship and loyalty.
The movie starts off in New Mexico 1882. The town named Appaloosa is under the control of outlaw/rancher named Randall Bragg, played by Jeremy Irons. Three lawmen are dispatched to arrest one of the henchman working for Bragg. Bragg refuses to hand him over and kills the three lawmen on the spot. The town enlists Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch, played by Viggo Mortensen. The plot is fairly straight forward. Mix in a love interest for Cole by the way of Renne Zellweger. Ultimately, this is a story about friendship and loyalty more than gun fights. There are no slow motion worthy gun fight sequences. The gun fight scenes are brutal and quick. Just the way it was in the west. The friendship between Cole and Hitch is the center piece of the movie.
There's not much to say about Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Jeremy Irons, or Renee Zellweger. They are all Oscar caliber actors. The plot is simple and straight forward. This does not mean it's boring movie. It is very entertaining film. Ultimately, the bad guys get shot and the good guys triumph. But, not in the traditional way. One of the friend sacrifices himself for his friend. It is a perfect ending to a great old school western flick. This is highly recommended to any movie lovers.
What do you think about this movie? Please leave your thoughts below.
Click here to buy above blu ray movie at 20% off or more on Amazon.com!!
Good Character Study
This is a superbly acted and beautifully filmed film. The pacing is a little slow, especially when compared to most Westerns out there but the writing is top notch. It is a drama and character study. The characters in the film and their relationships with another are deep and I found myself glued to the screen. The action scenes that were in the film were quick but satisfying. The only problem for me is that with all the build up throught out the film and all the time spent on character development, I wasn’t quite satisfied with how everything wrapped out. Still worth a watch and nice to see a well made Western which isn’t the same as all the others.
Not good….Spoilers
This was a big disappointment. The characters actions in this film border on idiotic. Ed Harris is supposed to be a tough gun-for-hire who has only been with prostitutes and a squaw, yet he ends up buying a house for Renee Z within hours of meeting her? Mrs. Zellwegger seems to have had a frightening amount of plastic surgery for any role, let alone a western. Viggo is the most likable character, but he is also dragged down by the horrific script. There were some good lines, hinting that maybe the book was far better.
I like westerns and I almost turned this off several times.
And why is there a picture of a marlin fighting on a big game rig on the wall of the sheriffs’ office in 1800’s New Mexico?
Cast of characters…
The only regret I have with this movie is renting instead of buying it. For recent westerns this one was loaded with better known actors who played the characters fittingly. Great directing and cinematography. A good storyline too. It’s a ‘got-to-see’ movie.
Probably better rent before buying
Actually, it is really 3 and one-half stars for a rating. . .
I was not aware of the movie until I picked up a recent copy of “Guns of the Old West,” a periodical put out by Harris Publications. In it was an article about the guns used in “Appaloosa.” That got my interest going.
Comparing the movie to the book is a little difficult for me, even though most of the book was transferred into the movie. I understand, as the director, co-producer, co-writer Ed Harris easily choose who he wanted for what parts and while I’m not complaining about most parts, I just didn’t think Rene Zellwegger was right for the part, as it was written anyway. The character needed to be fleshed out more (literally and figuratively) to better fit the Book to movie transformation. Yes, I understand it was shot with a limited budget, but it was a weak point. Some have stated why they couldn’t understand her even being a part of it; well it’s simple. She throws the monkey wrench into the “keep focused on the job at hand” that Virgil and Everett had been doing for years. Love can be like that!
The relationship between the lead male characters is a bit similar to Gus and Woodrow in Lonesome Dove, most notable when Everett is grabbing Virgil off the Teamster.
I bought the movie, in all honesty, because of the article in the gun magazine, and the interest in the 8-gauge. Sometimes, it’s better to have a movie in your “personal library” than to go off to the rental store, or library, and get it.
shocked
I love westerns ,I like Ed Harris ,I like Rene Zellweger.What happened.The rolling stone reviewer who thought it was thunderous with action and nail biting suspense,must have just gotten out of a coma and never saw a western in his life.this was an embarrassment to watch.I usually do not write comments about films but this was BAD.