What's up, Doc?

Rating: 8/10 (13 May 2000)

Even if you're not at all familiar with the Wyatt Earp legend, or with Westerns particularly, this remarkable film can easily draw you in to an obsession with both. The depiction of the time and place seems thoroughly authentic, and the acting is top-class - while Kurt Russell makes a fine central character, Val Kilmer displays effortless cool as Doc Holliday, and Michael Biehn is suitably menacing as gunslinger Johnny Ringo. The fabulous script allows every actor to shine, and many of Doc's lines especially will stick in your mind, such as "I'm your huckleberry" and "Isn't that a daisy?"
My only criticism would have to be the love story in this film - it just doesn't work. And while I would praise it for trying, the fact is, there just isn't room for much romance in the genre.
Should Val have won an Oscar? Of course he should. But the one thing we all know is that the best man rarely wins. But never mind - justice is coming, and hell will follow with it!