"I hate Kurt Russell and Jason Priestley, but damn it, this rules."
"I beweive I'm your hucklebewwy.." - Val Kilmer may be a complete prick, but he shall never be more suited to any role than he was to this one right here. Kilmer IS Doc Holliday and I'd pay to go see him in this role again and again. The dude manages to act green. How did he do that?So who else is there? Kurt Russell as Wyatt. He's the guy with way too much eye make-up trying to look like he has less wrinkles than Goldie Hawn. (Fat chance, bub.)
Sam Elliott as his brother Virgil. Nobody else in the world can wear a cowboy hat, leather pants and handlebar moustache and not look like he's cruising for hot times with a well hung fella.
Bill Paxton? He plays the dumb ass sidekick. Go figure.
But just when you figure this is a helluva ride it get's better! Powers Boothe! Michael Biehn (who will play Mad Max 4, mark my words)! Chuck Heston! Jason Priestl... uhh.. Dana Delan.. umm.. Billy Zan... God no.. OH! Thomas Haden Church!! Yes! It's Ned in a western! He always was too good for Stacey.
So what's the story? Well you've read about Wyatt Earp, gunufight at the OK Corral and such. Well here's how Hollywood sees it. Of course it's nothing like the actuality of events, but heck, at least Tombstone isn't a total Congo-isation of same.
In reality, Earp and his kin were a nasty bunch of creeps. They weren't looking for peace, quiet and a family way of life, they were into extortion, prostitution, guns and booze. The famed story of their showdown at OK was kind of loose with the facts, in as much as when their opponents stopped firing and surrendered, they were butchered unarmed. But why let reality spoil a damn good story?
Enough of the history lesson. This is how it should have been, because the idea of real folks screaming "YOU CALLED DOWN THE THUNDER... WELL NOW YOU'RE GONNA GET IT!" is just too cool for words.
This is a real ensemble piece. Every character has a story and a dillemma (well, except for some of the "wimmin", but hey, this is Hollywood). The story travels many differents and the performances are stand-out all over.
Michael Biehn as Johnny Ringo is God damned sublime. "I want your blood... and I want your soul. And I want 'em both... right now.."
Powers Boothe is just cocky as hell, even Delany and Priestley don't shame themselves. This is just one hell of a tight ship all round and anyone from action fans, to western buffs, to just folks who like decent films should bring plenty home from this puppy.
If for no other reason than seeing Kilmer ("ain't that a dandy?") in the role of his existence, you must see this movie.
A Paxton movie without special effects? YES! It is true!"YOU TELL THEM I'M COMING! AND HELL'S COMING WITH ME!!"
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