AppaloosaMovie Reviews

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  Written October 1, 2008

  APPALOOSA should rope in westem-film fans. GRADE: SOLID B

  by MOVIES REVIEWER

  New Line Cinema's APPALOOSA is a 114-minutes movie-adaptation of Robert B. Parker's 2005 novel - directed/produced/starred/co-screenwritten by Ed Harris.
  
  Major themes explored were friendship, justice/revenge/vengeance, honor/betrayal, and sacrifice.
  However, do not expect cowboys. Appaloosa is about the friendship/relationship between two for-hire lawmen Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch (Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen) in a lawless 1880's town named Appaloosa.
  In the movie, their characters evolve and develop due to an adversary, Randall Bragg, and especially with the arrival of the fetching seductive Mrs. Allie French (Renee Zellweger).
  
  Tight plot, skilled editing/directing trumped average cinematography - opportunities to showcase the gorgeous - albeit bleak - landscapes were unexploited.
  Period authenticity is first-rate - glass windows, furnishings, etc.
  
  Verdict:
  Wonderful chemistry/interactions between Ed and Viggo (both SUPERB!)
  Renee's performance was average.

  • 22 out of 29 found this review helpful.
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  Written October 3, 2008

  Appaloosa-Authenic, a Real Western

  by Jasnyder56

  If you are a western movie fan, then you are always ready for a NEW movie. This movie is directed and filmed very well. Not being a Hollywood action packed stereo type is to it's credit. This movie is extremely historically correct and authenic. Much care and attention to detail in this area is made from the extruded glass windows in buildings to how gun fights in the dirt streets of town were actually done. The acting is excellent and captures an authenic glimmer into the social culture and tone of the short lived American Western Frontier.
  I recomend this movie to anyone that likes a real western movie.I t might not make an academy award, but does suggest a new standard in western movies. Kids mignt get bored, but to an educated mind it is worth seeing again on DVD. I plan to do so and catch all that I missed at the IMAX.

  • 14 out of 17 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written November 14, 2008

  Appaloosa

  by sunnyfin1

  Reviews have been sketchy for this flick, but I found it very entertaining as a western buff with accurate costuming, sets, the prevailing wind through the plains town, and the hesitating conversations, typical of true cowboys. They speak only if spoken to or if they want to say something..then it's short and sweet. The male duo was middle-aged and longed for something stable, but kept doing their thing...killing for hire under the star of a marshal. The vixen was well-cast even though critics say not. She appeared to be sincere, but was willing to do anything to be noticed and "loved." I lived in the badlands of Montana and on the high plains of Wyoming. Appaloosa was right on the money, so to speak, in portraying life in western territories before statehood. The town council of Appaloosa sadly allowed the acquitted murderer to take over, indicative of society throughout time. Most missed, I'm sure, the vixen's wrong notes in her piano playing! That was a hoot!

  • 11 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written October 15, 2008

  A great western for grownups that care about authenticity!

  by nicksinclair

  Made from the book by Robert B. Parker, creator of Spencer for Hire, you know in advance you're getting a good story underlying the script.
  As a critical viewer of Westerns I cannot find any fault with this effort! Many reviewers have commented negatively on Renee Zellwinger's role, however given the actual depth and importance to the story of the part she played, I consider she did well. Her make-up was unappealing, probably to reduce her natural charm in order to convey her sense of desperation at being the "aging beauty" stranded in the West.
  The rest of the acting was excellent, photography was first rate and the little additions that add to the feel were fabulous. Ox carts in tthe street, for example ....horse work was marvelous....believable gun fights....meaningful dialogue.
  Much, much better than 3:10 to Yuma in every way, though not at Unforgiven level.
  Go treat yourself to this on the big screen, it is well worth it.

  • 11 out of 13 found this review helpful.
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  Written November 26, 2008

  WTF

  by want_fries with that

  I went there to see a Westeren and saw a love story and a not very good one at that. Should have waited till it came out on DVD..

  • 10 out of 13 found this review helpful.
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  Written October 10, 2008

  good classic western

  by mshin

  This isn't your modernized version of a western like 3:10 to Yuma, nor the pretentious kind like assasination of Jesse James nor is it a story that deals with unusual sensitive topics like Brokeback Mountain. No, this is your Grandfathers version of how the west really was back in the day. The story was well done and intentionally slow paced. The action is smooth and deliberate (so don't expect you would see much action from it), the chemistry between the 2 cowboys is honor and the Code of the West.
  

  • 11 out of 15 found this review helpful.
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  Written October 9, 2008

  The Wild West, with a lot of humor and a touch of irony

  by jebarlow

  My wife and I loved Appaloosa. It was a good Wild West saga, but different than the usual story line in that neither the good guys or the bad guys seemed to take themselves seriously. There was a lot of humor and irony on both sides of the dispute portrayed. Ed Harris and Viggo Mortenson (spelling?) were great and fed off each other, and Jeremy Irons played the role of the lead bad guy superbly. We found the movie very entertaining, letting us leave the outside world of economic woes and lying sacks of politicians for a couple of hours. The irony, humor and sexual undertones are geared toward an adult audience, so leave the youngsters to play in traffic, freeing you to enjoy the show with a smile on your face.

  • 9 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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• Oh No!
  Written October 9, 2008

  Poor acting and slo***w story

  by needspeed

  I can wrap up this movie in two words...DONT GO! I think that my boys and myself could sit around and make up a better western story if we stole little pieces from every other western like this one tried to. The timeline is erratic and moves either way to fast or at worst way to slow. Renee Zewelger is heinous in here role as a widow whore that pretends not to be but will give it up to anyone that looks her way. Ed Harris' role as the tought guy marshall was over acted. The best performance was by Vigo Mortensen and it was average at best.Dont waste your money.

  • 6 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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  Written November 5, 2008

  Great Story With Fantastic Actors

  by MrsMomRN

  I really enjoyed this movie. I am not typically a western fan but I love Viggio and would see anything he is in. Ed Harris, Viggio, and Jeremy Irons are great is this movie. This movie had a great story line as well as suspense and action which to me, makes a complete movie. Renee Zellweger was good but you couldn't help but not like her character. I highly recommend this movie.

  • 7 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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  Written September 25, 2008

  Appaloosa

  by kma1757

  For western buffs, and especially for those familiar with Robert Parkers style of story telling, this is an enjoyable shoot 'um up. The characters are simple and straight forward. Not a lot of flashy talk, just bravado where needed and deadly action when the final line is crossed.
  Not as much action as 3:10 to Yuma but probably more realistic.

  • 8 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written September 24, 2008

  Appaloosa

  by lucyho

  Another classic to add to the Western Movie genre.
  Epic in feel but with a human touch. Everything about it is perfect, and worthy of repeat viewing.
  If you love Westerns, this is for you.

  • 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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  Written October 15, 2008

  Appaloosa

  by Chonkiz

  I was really looking forward to loving another film with Viggo and Ed Harris again since I loved History of Violence so much. But this did not deliver. There's no mystery. There's nothing unknown and what you know is hardly interesting. I didn't read the entire cast list before I went to see this so I was suprised to see Jeremy Irons and Renee Zellweger. Renee Zellweger's performance is atrocious and that character totally derails the film. I can't stand her anyway but she is totally unappealling here and her acting has always been subpar. Whoever the costume designer was they should never be hired to dress women in a film again. The men looked great in their three piece ensembles but every time Renee walked into a scene I found myself distracted by the atrociousness of the dress she was wearing and her spotty makeup. Costumes aside, the western just lacked any suspense or depth. Westerns always have suspense! I wanted it to be so good and I still can't believe how bad it was.

  • 7 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written October 4, 2008

  A great western movie!

  by bjconte

  The movie was a cinematic masterpiece. The story was very gripping. The scenes are cut at key moments to emphasize the last line spoken, or linger on allowing you to reflect on and absorb the images. All of the characters, even the minor ones added to the overall success of the movie. The dialogue was also a great aspect, supposedly relying heavily upon the novel on which it is based. The relationships were portrayed in an effective manner. I love when a movie gives the viewer a little credit and uses subtleties and symbolism to convey messages as this movie did. Harris succeeded in every way. I love Westerns and Appaloosa has significantly added to the genre in my opinion.

  • 7 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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  Written October 15, 2008

  Appaloosa

  by Lcochran13

  Good Western movie but not quite enough conflict or tension generated between the primary characters to make it a great western movie. Not in the class of Unforgiven. Ed Harris is solid as the lead. Viggo Mortensen is very good as a trusted sidekick/partner. Renée Zellweger is interesting in the role of a flawed love interest and Jeremy Irons is great as the heavy-weight bad guy until his turnaround from long-time bad guy to town leader without any apparent effort seemed contrived. All in all a good time but then isn't almost any western movie - but not in the category of clssic western.

  • 7 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written November 12, 2008

  Soooo Good!

  by SophiaEsMom

  This is a must see for any cowboy movie fan. The action is great. It's funny. And the writing and cast are amazing.

  • 8 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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