I saw an advert for the Ed Harris western Appaloosa tonight. Is the film any good? The Telegraph review is pretty mixed and seems to lay the blame at Renée Zellweger’s feet (well her character’s anyway):
A pity that Harris’s homage to westerns should be compromised so intrusively. For most of its length, in terms of its themes, pacing and visual sweep, it’s a treat.
I have to say the trailer does look promising and Viggo Mortensen is always a welcome addition to any film. He even managed to inject some quality into the Demi Moore one-handed press-up fest that is GI Jane !
You can check out the trailer below:
I like the fact the western has become cool again. Many might disagree with me but just stop to consider the most recent additions to the genre:
There are some top quality actors donning a cowboy hat and turning in some pretty impressive performances in those films.
Even the recent Coen brothers masterpiece No Country For Old Men was a modern-day western taking Cormac McCarthy’s novel and turning it into a truly eerie experience. Made me appreciate the risks country Sheriffs face today.
I doubt I’ll get to see Appaloosa for several weeks so if you do go and see it leave a comment and let me know what you thought.
PLUS: Browse all the westerns at Amazon.co.uk and see which films you’re missing from your DVD collection.

September 29th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
The Evening Standard review is better http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/film/film-23368993-details/Appaloosa/filmReview.do?reviewId=23560148 and says widescreen makes the movie
October 21st, 2008 at 5:15 pm
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