Great production values, story not so hot

Rating: 5/10 (28 February 2004)

The movie looks amazing- vast crowds of extras in period costumes on streets that just scream, "bygone era." It has an epic scope, but when it comes down to it, the end is kind of lame. I just didn't buy it. For all the running time, it felt a bit under-developed. The incidents that drive the story are a mixed bag; some clever, some funny, some silly. The vast scope and production values are in the service of a story that can't justify them.
I'm not much of a fan of James Woods, but he was good here.

I find "Once Upon a Time in the West" a completely satisfying experience, so I think I get the Leone thing. This just seems like an honorable misfire, more so than "Heaven's Gate."