Foxtrot: It's a Saturday night, theater is packed and I'm sitting back row (my t.v. looks bigger at this point). Lucky me gets to sit next to a five year old commentator and his obnoxious father. So you can see how well I recieved Cowboys and Aliens. Initially I thought Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford would be a great match up but once they appeared on screen together the Bond/Indy reputations were just to much to take in at once. Although Ford did a brilliant job as usual his character itself was hard to accept, going from cocky young hero to old father figure. Craig seemed to of went in and did his job and left, nothing over the top and certaintly nothing to remember with exception of that bulge. I was excited to see Olivia Wilde would be hitting the big screen in a big way but she indeed disappointed, only to prove she's not ready for something this big. Some of the more enjoyable acting in this film was Sam Rockwell's right dosage of comic relief.
Motherbird: First of all, I found out that Robert Downey Jr. was signed on as Jack Longergan but, dropped out because of scheduling. I'm glad I found that out before or else I'd have watched the movie completely differently. I think Downey would have rocked it. Even more than Daniel Craig whose Merican talk was real good but, he lacked a certain charisma that Downey never fails to bring. Second, Eva Green was offered the role of Ella but, turned it down. Again, I think first choice would have rocked it. Eva has something exotic going for that Oliva lacks. Even though Robert and Eva are two of my favorite actors, the cast was larger than life and performed well. I agree that Daniel Craig gave the impression that he walked on set, delivered his lines, ran around, rode a horse and then collected his check and left. His bulge and his butt had more screen time than he did. They deserve their own credits. Olivia was by no means spectacular. I'm not saying she did a bad job... she was just.. there. I still feel like Olivia is still Quorra from Tron... but, I'm sure she did her best. Harrison Ford is still the man. He delivered. It was nice to seem him in a role that everyone, at the beginning, thought he was kind of a jerk. I think we are a little used to sassy, sexy Indy/Han. My favorite characters/actors were the smaller roles. Sam Rockwell owned the comic relief corner and looked delish with a 'stache. Scruffy and Dirty is a good look for him. Clancy Brown. Very happy with that one. I'm glad Favreau and Clancy decided on a NORMAL Christian guy. None of that damning us all to hell, fire and brimstone that so often gives us Jesus lovers a bad rap. I liked it. And for some strange reason I was disappointed that Wes Studi wasn't the Indian chief. Isn't he ALWAYS the Indian chief?!
Foxtrot: Alien films have increasingly become more popular within the past five years but their the same stories playing on repeat. So the most enjoyable part about this film is it's overall originality. With this originality comes some great action sequences especially when you sprinkle in some indians. What I liked the most about the story was that it wasn't a constant "Why are they here?", "What do they want?", "How are we possibly going to defeat them?", etc. The story is fast pace and the film reveals answers quickly and gets down to kicking alien ass. Now that we're on the subject of the alien, it was a major disappointment. The creature design was poor and unoriginal. The one enjoyable part about the alien was the revealing, unlike most alien films they didn't make you wait unitl the end for the disappointment.
Motherbird: Oh those aliens. I've got a love/hate relationship with them. Now, I don't want to go around shouting "RIP OFF" but... I was getting a strong whiff of District 9 mixed with Cloverfield and a hint of Independence day. Which makes them slightly unoriginal but, nevertheless cool. I think we need to get some fresh, new minds in Hollywood thinking of some new monsters and aliens. The fight scenes betweens the Cowboys/Indians and the Aliens were some of my favorite parts. Nothing beats of good hand to clay combat. Although, for not being able to see well in the day they sure could woop some cowpoke booty. (thanks for telling us they couldn't see well during the day, Ella. Sheesh.) Which brings me around to Ella. First of all, in a western, never trust a single woman with a gun who doesn't ride side saddle. Ever. She's bound to be trouble. I am always a little leary about these heroines. They can make or break a movie. I feel like Ella busted this one up. As soon as she said she was an alien, I gave her an eye roll and started to worry more about he dog.
Foxtrot: Now down to the technical aspects. Most critics will agree the special effects were near flawless. To the ships to the aliens themselves it was very well done. As far as the cinematography done by Matthew Libatique (Iron Man, Black Swan), it was executed beautifully. Some of my favorite shots were of Craig in the desert scenes or of the alien attack on the town. The cinematography and editing was so well done it made the film look a little to clean cut. And clean cut isn't my first thought that comes to mind with a western/sci-fi film. But one of the greatest things about the film is that they didn't lower themselves into slapping 3D on it.
Motherbird: I concur. I'm glad we didn't have 3D. So many movies are too focused on what can we make stick out that they forget to work on anything else. Everything in moderation.
Foxtrot: Overall, under my circumstances I enjoyed the films originality, cast and development of the story. Jon Favreau did an excellent job and by no means did not disappoint.
Motherbird: Agree. In a state (North Dakota) where this movie wasn't very anticipated because of its "far fetched-ness" I highly enjoyed the movie. Its a movie I'll buy and add to the collection. Definitely one for a movie night with your buds.
Over and Out.
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