Craig and Ford team up in Cowboys & Aliens

[DACrowe]

i dont read threads when the movie is out. because i know that someone could spoil something. so i am not angry because of me. but someone else is not like this and maybe checked something since the movie is not out yet.

talking how you spoiled without any warning that Wilde dies. t:

Eh...it's been out a week, I figured. Honestly, it wasn't even that big a deal. I loved the trailer and thought this would be a POTC type box of fun, but it ended up being pretty generic. So, it's not that big of a reveal to the overall plot.

 

[GhostPoet]

I was impressed with the film. It kept me entertained all the way through. I posted my full review on my site (linked below) Only had one real issue with it, but otherwise awesome.

 

[GhostPoet]

Thor certainly was as weak as GL in story, action and dialogue, but it at least had the benefit of better acting and a character that was different than most other superheroes. GL was the most basic, obvious, confused superhero origin story probably ever. Thor was just lame, which is less of an offense.

I could even see people not liking Cap for being too Saturday morning cartoon-ish -- though I loved it -- but thinking First Class was crap really is going too far.

Thor weak? What alternate universe are you from again?

 

[DACrowe]

Thor didn't have a lot of action, so that has turned some off. However, I didn't really realize this until after the movie was over....because it was so entertaining, it didn't need the action. The actors had such good chemistry and Branagh induced such a dreamy, snappy tone that it was pure escapism entertainment. With that said, the actual writing of how Thor and Jane fell in love with each other in what seems to be about two days left a lot to be desired.

 

[GhostPoet]

Thor didn't have a lot of action, so that has turned some off. However, I didn't really realize this until after the movie was over....because it was so entertaining, it didn't need the action. The actors had such good chemistry and Branagh induced such a dreamy, snappy tone that it was pure escapism entertainment. With that said, the actual writing of how Thor and Jane fell in love with each other in what seems to be about two days left a lot to be desired.

I agree. It was great escapism. It entertained me. That's all that matters.
Yeah, the love aspect did seem a bit rushed. It could have used a couple more scenes to show them getting closer.

 

[Percu Taneous]

I was impressed with the film. It kept me entertained all the way through. I posted my full review on my site (linked below) Only had one real issue with it, but otherwise awesome.

So... your ONLY criticism was that the Indians are introduced too late and fleetingly (if I'm reading your review correctly)?

The fact that, oh, I don't know, a hugely advanced alien species capable of interstellar travel and thought-controlled weaponry, among other fun stuff, but yet who inexplicably act like hyenas in person (and don't seem to keep more than one wrist rocket around the old ship, which they conveniently leave lying next to a guy who also inexplicably is able to wriggle out of a rigid restraint bed - twice!) come all these umpteen miles across space to mine gold because "it's just as rare to them as to you (the humans)", running into same pesky humans in the process, when all they'd have had to do is land on the nearest rocky planet in their own or a nearby system and mine all the gold they needed. Or, failing that for any reason, stop by our own asteroid belt - where, at least according to solar system formation theory - there ought to be many more times the gold available in even the most fecund earthbound mine. To say nothing of Mars. I'm no geologist, but I bet there's LOTS of gold under them red sands.

Then of course there's the issue of why capture humans "to probe your weaknesses" when a good old laser blast from above seems to take care of the problem nicely.

 

[GhostPoet]

So... your ONLY criticism was that the Indians are introduced too late and fleetingly (if I'm reading your review correctly)?

The fact that, oh, I don't know, a hugely advanced alien species capable of interstellar travel and thought-controlled weaponry, among other fun stuff, but yet who inexplicably act like hyenas in person (and don't seem to keep more than one wrist rocket around the old ship, which they conveniently leave lying next to a guy who also inexplicably is able to wriggle out of a rigid restraint bed - twice!) come all these umpteen miles across space to mine gold because "it's just as rare to them as to you (the humans)", running into same pesky humans in the process, when all they'd have had to do is land on the nearest rocky planet in their own or a nearby system and mine all the gold they needed. Or, failing that for any reason, stop by our own asteroid belt - where, at least according to solar system formation theory - there ought to be many more times the gold available in even the most fecund earthbound mine. To say nothing of Mars. I'm no geologist, but I bet there's LOTS of gold under them red sands.

Then of course there's the issue of why capture humans "to probe your weaknesses" when a good old laser blast from above seems to take care of the problem nicely.

Yes, my only issue were the introduction of the Indians. The other stuff to me is just nitpick that I can look past in order to be entertained.

If we were to look at things from your logic...then pretty much any sci-fi movie or fantasy film would end in 20 mins because the bad guys were more powerful. :P

 

[Rowsdower!]

Saw this last night. It was okay. Could have been a lot better though, with so many good actors that were just wasted due to poor character development in the script. Craig and Ford were pretty decent, but I couldn't help but feel like something was lacking with each of them... maybe just a need of better dialogue. Olivia Wilde and Sam Rockwell make the most of what their given, unfortunately, it's not much. Paul Dano and Walton Goggins are great actors and could have added a lot if they were used more.

And yeah, I'm always amazed how aliens appear to be brilliant weapons techs and yet seem to be impractical dumbasses at the same time. The best thing about the movie though (IMO) had to be the revelation that the aliens are after gold, because it was so unintentionally funny. With the way the FX markets are right now, gold's value has skyrocketed. So hey, maybe these aliens aren't so dumb after all.

 

[UltimateJustin]

Thor weak? What alternate universe are you from again?

It wasn't so much the action being underwhelming (I'm not a huge action master) but the story was just flat to me. There were only a few sparks of any life or believability in what was going on imo. Asgaard never felt like another world/realm, just like a solitary cartoon throne room.

Also, I had to step out to make wang water at one point -- is there a scene other than the battle against the Destroyer that I may have missed that explains Thor's change in attitude toward the Frost Giants, or his overall growth from arrogant man-child to totally respectable hero? All that happens on earth prior to the Destroyer battle is he enjoys some drinks, and has two conversations. The story of Thor comes off as a tale of a dad taking his sons toy away and the child throwing a fit until suddenly 'becoming a good guy', without showing the emotional journey that would lead someone from staging a brutal assault indiscriminately against all Frost Giants (in their own one-room cartoon realm) to being disgusted at Loki's plan for Frost Giant genocide.

It appears Thor protected Jane from the Destroyer solely because he wanted that booty, which is respectable but a weak story.

I didn't hate it or anything, but honestly it was about as good as Cowboys & Aliens story and entertainment-wise. Passably mediocre, and though I love the character of Thor and comic book movies in general, it seems like 'Thor' got a pass just for being a Marvel Studios film (much like Iron Man 2, which was barely anything).

 

[DACrowe]

The difference between Thor, which did have a generic script, and Green Lantern, Cowboys and Aliens, Transformers 3 and a number of other generic summer fare is execution. Branagh made it highly entertaining and directed it with an attention to detail for the characters and illiciting smart performances from all his actors. The direction and acting elevated an average screenplay into an above average entertainment. The movies you compare it to were just mediocre.

 

[weezerspider]

I loved the film. I don't get the hate. The acting was well done, the plot was solid, the action was good. It wasn't the greatest film of all time, but I liked it.

 

[Percu Taneous]

If we were to look at things from your logic...then pretty much any sci-fi movie or fantasy film would end in 20 mins because the bad guys were more powerful. :P

I don't agree. Good fiction, whether science or not, plays well because it has internal logic. I don't disagree that Hollywood has changed quite a bit, to the degree, for instance, that it's the rare film anymore where the good guy dies in the end (like, for instance, Hamlet). I can't think of one in fact, but maybe someone else can.

The good guy or guys has to triumph over difficult odds. That's what makes him, or her, the hero. But equally so, the bad guy has to have a motivation that makes sense. To me these aliens didn't make sense, which made them even more of a comic book villain than any comic book villain.

 

[GhostPoet]

I don't agree. Good fiction, whether science or not, plays well because it has internal logic. I don't disagree that Hollywood has changed quite a bit, to the degree, for instance, that it's the rare film anymore where the good guy dies in the end (like, for instance, Hamlet). I can't think of one in fact, but maybe someone else can.

The good guy or guys has to triumph over difficult odds. That's what makes him, or her, the hero. But equally so, the bad guy has to have a motivation that makes sense. To me these aliens didn't make sense, which made them even more of a comic book villain than any comic book villain.

And it really is a point of view. Everyone sees films differently.
I find it a waste to go to a film only to pick it apart. I prefer to just sit back, relax and enjoy it as entertainment. If I really wanted to I could come up with a host of reasons why the aliens did what they did how they did. Or even "why didn't they..." But in the end i'm just wasting my time and prefer to just enjoy it.

I was in a film class a while back and I remember how the teacher prided himself on being able to pick apart ANY film...even films most would consider "solid". Some films are just easier to pick apart than others, but they all have major flaws that one could find in them.

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

I saw this movie earlier today and it was, to put it mildly, simply decent. I was entertained by the first 30-40 minutes but after that, it went downhill and I was, actually, looking forward till the movie ended. Each actors did well in their roles, especially Craig and Ford, but I thought that the characters development were poor, as I didn't care about any of the characters nor was I concerned about what will happen to them. However, one of the movie's redeeming qualities is that the action sequences were pretty good, but the finale were a bit dull to watch.

All in all, I thought the movie was, as mentioned earlier, simply decent and, as I had low exceptions for this, I wasn't completely disappointed by it.

2/5

 

[signalman]

Glad to see Buck Taylor from GUNSMOKE have a small role in the opening scene with his real-life sons.

Disappointing nude scene from Olivia Wilde.

Overall I would give this movie a, C+.

 

[RoughNTumble]

This movie bored the crap out of me.

Everything it tried to do, it failed hard at. It wasn't funny, it wasn't exciting, it wasn't dramatic. The only thing it made me feel was sleepy.

I love all of the actors in it, and I hate to see them get a black mark on their careers like this. What a shame.

 

[CelticPredator]

Agreed. Not a good movie.

 

[Octoberist]

I agree that it's so strange that this movie is loaded with talent but failed to deliver.

 

[Mace Bloodstone]

Why do all aliens in every movie look the same? When will someone come up with an original look?

 

[rashad]

Why do all aliens in every movie look the same? When will someone come up with an original look?

I miss Stan Winston.

 

[Octoberist]

All aliens now are brown and generic. The last iconic alien designs came from Avatar and Disrict 9.

 

[LostSon88]

The Lone Ranger movie was cancelled due to it's ridiculously high budget (230+).

Can't help but think that C&A "success" had Disney thinking twice about committing to a big budget Western.

 

[CelticPredator]

^ It's still on. Last time I heard.

But still..the problem isn't the fact it's a western, or sci fi flick....it's that it was a Western AND a Sci fi flick. It has to mesh. If it dont mesh, it dont work.

Look at Brisco County Jr., that worked. That worked well.

This movie needed more style. It was just boring. Not really interesting to look at, not cool to look at....pretty stale in that regard.

The action was bland, aside from a few moments that were cool....but yeah. Not a fun movie at all.

I wanted to like it. So very, very much. But Goddamn....

 

[terry78]

More or less it actually NEEDED to be more tongue in cheek, something fanboys claimed would hurt it. More POTC type of stuff.

 

[Percu Taneous]

More or less it actually NEEDED to be more tongue in cheek, something fanboys claimed would hurt it. More POTC type of stuff.

Hear, hear. The original 1989 script had the tone just right (to say nothing of much of the plot outlines).