This can't be a western!

Rating: 8/10 (27 April 2003)

This can't be a western, because I hate westerns, and I LOVE this movie! It's a powerhouse film of sheer acting talent, with Val Kilmer in what is undoubtedly his finest performance (overshadowing his triumphs in The Doors and the more recent The Salton Sea), the always enjoyable Bill Paxton, the rock-steady Sam Elliott, and a surprisingly intense Kurt Russell. Dana Delaney is also stunning, striking the perfect balance beween the free spirit and the vulnerable artist, and making even the most jaded man-of-the-world's heart melt for her. Michael Biehn's villain is chilling, and it's such a treasure to see this journeyman character actor show off his dark side for once. My only complaint about this film (other than wanting it to last forever!) is the direction, which is sterling in most cases, but fails to maintain the various moods in the different "acts" of the film. The audience feels the foreshadowing of evil a bit too early, and then the intensity of the hunt-and-slaughter episode leading to the climax is broken by a lack of sufficient atmosphere. Bear in mind, however, that this inconsistency is not enough to ruin the film, only a minor blemish in what is otherwise a triumphant success. No, this is not a western. This is a great film, that just happens to be set in the old west. I give it 8 stars!