You want Action? Check. Sci-Fi? Check. A Western? Check. Romance? Check. Seriously, Cowboys and Aliens has it all. Whatever you’re in the mood for, it’s in there somewhere. If that’s a good thing or a bad thing, we’re not entirely sure, but it works. Sort of.
The Old West... it’s 1873. A stranger named Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig) stumbles into the hard desert town of Absolution. With no memory of his past, the only hint to his history is a mysterious shackle that encircles one wrist. What he discovers is that the people of Absolution don't welcome strangers, and nobody makes a move on its streets unless ordered to do so by the iron-fisted Colonel Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford).
It's a town that lives in fear. But Absolution is about to experience fear it can scarcely comprehend as the desolate city is attacked by marauders from the sky. Screaming down with breathtaking velocity and blinding lights to abduct the helpless one by one, these monsters challenge everything the residents have ever known. Now, the stranger they rejected is their only hope for salvation. As this gunslinger slowly starts to remember who he is and where he's been. (from IMDB)
There’s been a lot of hype about this movie since the trailers hit. How could there not be? Indiana Jones and James Bond banding together to fight aliens... what more could you ever want from a movie? And while we were initially sceptical of bringing together Indiana Jones and aliens once again after the last disastrous attempt, we’ve been anxiously anticipating our chance to explore this western fantasy for ourselves.
Craig can always hold his own as the lone cowboy. He doesn’t care what others think, doesn’t play by anyone’s rules but his own and is one serious bad ass. A bad ass with one hell of an ass which graciously fills out a pair of chaps like no other.
And though Ford’s looking a little more weathered and worn as his years add up, it’s fitting for the jaded and bitter role of the Colonel. You can’t help but imagine that after all these years in the business; Ford himself may be somewhat similar. But don’t underestimate him, he can still ride a horse and outsmart his enemy like that baby faced Indy we knew him as.
Olivia Wilde stands out in the almost all male cast as Ella, a beautiful cowgirl with a story of her own. She takes an unnatural interest in Lonergan and is determined to follow him on his course to track down the Aliens and the missing townsfolk.
And we must make mention of Sam Rockwell, who plays the passive bartender Doc. Rockwell always adds a bit of
comedic relief to an otherwise serious situation with his smart lines and wit. We’d never hesitate to take him along on a ride. And the familiar face of Adam Beach was seen outside of Veronica’s comic book store, loyally standing alongside Ford as Nat Colorado, the native boy the Colonel took under his wing when he lost his parents.
The movie itself has a very classic western feel to it. The pace and feel was similar with the drawn out action sequences, not exactly what you would expect in a regular action flick. They included an inevitable run in with the natives, but it was the face off against extra terrestrials that set the whole thing apart from what you would expect, obviously.
And it’s not that it doesn’t work, it’s just... odd seeing cowboys battling aliens, being thrown from horseback and shooting rifles at monsters with creepy little hands. But it does make for a unique take on your typical action/western film and it is worth watch. And maybe a couple yeehaws.
images from google images
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