Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Writer: S.S. Wilson, Brent Maddock, Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman (Screenplay) Jim Thomas, John Thomas (Story)
Starring: Will Smith, Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh, Salma Hayek, M Emmt Walsh, Ted Levine
Plot: Jim West is a guns-a-blazing former Civil War hero. Artemus Gordon is an inventive U.S. Marshal who excels in disguise. When the United States is threatened by psychotic Confederate Arliss Loveless, President Ulysses Grant teams the duo up to bring him to justice. On a hazard-packed train journey from Washington D.C. to Utah, West and Gordon must combine their skills to best Loveless and his diabolical machines.
Verdict: Western Comedy, Minus the Laughs
Story: When it comes to odd couple comedies the story is usually easy to work with. This is that, we have a villain who wants power and they are the only hope. We get awkward comedy throughout though, with the cross dressing, a PG level short or racial jokes. We have very little support characters that offer much more than just something for the leads to use for comedy. You don’t get full convinced by the partnership but the overall works to make things fun on first watch. (7/10)
Actor Review
Will Smith: James West the African American US army who is all about shooting first asking questions later. He will always run in first guns a blazing but this leads to more problems most of the time. Solid performance with Will using his charm and momentum at the time. (7/10)
Kevin Kline: Artemus Gordon the master of disguise who also dresses up and plays the President. He tries to use his brain while solving problems and to good results, his inventions help the couple get through most of the predicaments. Good performance in the most convincing side of the double act. (7/10)
Kenneth Branagh: Arliss Loveless the long thought dead Doctor who wants to take over the United States and rebuild it his own way. Good villain performance which is the strongest part of the film. (8/10)
Salma Hayek: Rita the young lady looking for her father who goes along the journey. Not really in the film as much as should have been, used in a couple of attempted comedy lines. Very under used supporting character. (4/10)
Ted Levine: General Bloodbath McGrath a ruthless general who has killed many people during the war while being on the losing side. He arranges for Loveless to get what he wants but gets betrayed when it comes to the full payment. Good supporting performance in what is a villain that is an easy target to be chasing. (7/10)
Director Review: Barry Sonnenfeld – Struggles to get all the laughs out and never really decides which genre it wants to be. (5/10)
Comedy: Has a couple of laughs but never really gets enough. (5/10)
Western: Never uses enough of the real western themes. (5/10)
Settings: The settings are also lost in the film which should be very strong. (5/10)
Special Effects: Solid special effects with Loveless and his giant spider. (8/10)
Suggestion: I think this one is only worth trying you would have to be a fan on the stars to really enjoy. (Try It)
Best Part: Spider
Worst Part: Lack of comedy
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $222 Million
Budget: $170 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 47 Minutes
Tagline: On July 2nd, it’s a whole new west
Trivia: Will Smith has openly said that doing this film instead of the role of Neo in The Matrix is “the biggest mistake of his career” and his life.
Overall: Forgettable Comedy Western
Rating 60
