Jon Monsarrat review: a little slow, more a drama than action

Rating: 7/10 (6 September 2002)

OK, let me admit it up front. I'm an action movie guy, and I don't have a lot of patience for dramas. It isn't that I'm anti-intellectual. I just don't have the art school training to appreciate some of the subtleties if the main storyline is slow or melancholy.
That's how I found Tombstone: a fascinating true story that was just a little too slow for me. There was amazing acting, especially by Val Kilmer, but I guess I wish they'd spent a little less time on the backstory of the heroes. For anyone who thinks a true to life story can't be made more gripping, check out "October Sky", which is a true story about some kid who builds rockets -- but it is Fascinating with a capital F. Same with Almost Famous and Apollo 13.
Who should see this film:
-- drama types, go for it
-- western lovers, most definitely
-- action movie buffs, but only on a rainy day unless you have a western or historical interest
I'll give Tombstone a solid but not impressive 6 out of 10.