Craig and Ford team up in Cowboys & Aliens

[Marvel]

5/10

A movie with this title that delivers zero amount of fun really has to be considered a failure. The concept starts out fine but almost every scene that goes by peels away an uncomfortable layer and the film slowly degenerates in to an unpleasant time at the cinema. How did they end up doing that to this concept? Both leads start off as genuinely unlikable characters. As they move through the film, they slowly find redemption and win over the audience. By that time, as mentioned, the movie itself fizzles. The writers try and flesh out Harrison Ford’s character but fail. Olivia Wilde’s character is truly a contrivance and really makes no sense at all. The makers of this film in the absence of fun jam in death and semi-horror in hopes that something sticks. Overall, this is a mess of a movie from a cast, director and producers that really should know better.

 

[BatmanInc]

James Bond and Han Solo fighting aliens.


Specifically, aliens that appear to be Atrocitus.

 

[green]

Not impressed. I found the movie to be kind of bad actually. The cast is fantastic and the acting was alright though I have to say the voice over work for Craig was atrocious. There were scenes where the dialog didn't even sync not to mention it didn't even sound like him at times. Did they originally film him with his British accent and then change their minds? Pretty much a letdown that had a ton of potential.

 

[Secret Fawful]

What happened to this movie. I saw it today and it was such a turd. Wow, it was bad.

 

[Batjag]

It looks from the critics they wanted something silly and goofy and everyone involved plays this pretty close to straight the entire film. This isn't a big budget version of planet terror, it's a sci fi version of a good western.

This was my take as well. I had a blast and was glad that everyone played it straight. Craig and Ford were both excellent hardasses, but Clancy Brown had the best line, "Don't yank on it, it's not your pecker."

I doubt it will do too well at the box-office, because western genre mash-ups never do, but I am glad they made it, glad I saw it, and I'll be buying the disc as soon as it comes out. I think I'll get a lot of re-watches out of it

 

[Gold Samurai]

So far it's looking to have a moderate opening

http://www.deadline.com/2011/07/fir...-aliens-40m-smurfs-29m-crazy-stupid-love-18m/

12 PM: It's still very early so I'm not prepared yet to definitively say that DreamWorks/Imagine/Universal's mashup Cowboys & Aliens is dramatically underperforming because older audiences come out later. But sources are telling me that today's seeming $15M debut may add up to at most a $40M weekend which is below the studio's own lowball projections of $45+M

 

[Doc Ock]

Just got back from seeing it. I really enjoyed. A good reason why going to the movies is so great!

8/10

It was pretty intense at some moments, one part even really freaked me out and disturbed me. James Bond and Indiana Jones fighting aliens, whats not to like? I loved Sam Rockwell. Hilarious!

 

[Tony Stark]

Not horrible, but not great either. It's kind of odd to have two big actors with Craig and Ford and the really interesting characters in the whole film are Clancy Brown and Sam Rockwell.

The Good: Lighthearted fun that doesn't take itself too seriously

The Bad: Not much in the way of plot or explanation, just a bunch of randomly scattered events happening.

The Ugly: The whole design of the aliens was stupid. Honestly after Super 8, Battle L.A., and Mars needs moms, can no one freaking design cool looking aliens anymore?

6.5/10

 

[RolandDaggett]

I saw it this morning. I went in expecting to have fun and that's what I got. Craig and Ford were both great and looked like they were enjoying themselves.

As for the aliens I thought the designs were good. They reminded me of LOTR trolls combined with lobsters.

Rating: 8.5/10

 

[Frodo]

It was a fun popcorn flick and a good way to spend the afternoon. Will I still be thinking about a few days from now? No, but the audience I saw it with had a good time , and in the end, that's all I wanted. I don't think you have to rush out to the thearters for it , but its solid entertainment .

It kinda gives me a sense of what The Gunslinger from the Dark Tower saga could look like given the mixture of Western, Sci Fi and Horror the film has. I'd give it a B.

 

[CelticPredator]

Very meh movie....

Could've been great....but the cliche's, and bland look didnt really help.

Decent.

 

[LostSon88]

^ Seconded.

It wasn't bad. But it wasn't great. Started off slow for me and dragged in a few parts. I found the final battle to be the saving grace as I thought it was pretty cool to see the Cowboys and Aliens finally throw down.

7/10

 

[Punisher Rising]

I'm headed to catch the AM showing for this later, can't wait.

 

[DocHoliday]

I really do not understand what people are complaining about. Particularly about the motives and explanations. But with the reviews I was expecting something far worse. 7.5/10

 

[Tony Stark]

I really do not understand what people are complaining about. Particularly about the motives and explanations. But with the reviews I was expecting something far worse. 7.5/10

It's not a horrible film, it's just not great either. Ford and Craig did alot with absolutely nothing.

 

[DocHoliday]

Oh I agree... it isn't all time great, but it's a solid movie. that's why I said like 7.5 I don't understand why it has to be the a Top 250 movie to justify it's existence. It's not horrible. I am not sure everyone would enjoy it but if you like westerns I think you might.

 

[Percu Taneous]

5/10

A movie with this title that delivers zero amount of fun really has to be considered a failure. The concept starts out fine but almost every scene that goes by peels away an uncomfortable layer and the film slowly degenerates in to an unpleasant time at the cinema. How did they end up doing that to this concept? Overall, this is a mess of a movie from a cast, director and producers that really should know better.

Good questions. I haven't seen it yet but will this week. Unquestionably if they'd stuck to the original 1989 script they would've had a much better movie. Or at least the makings of one.

That said, given the dearth of excellent films these days I expect it will do well.

 

[Secret Fawful]

"James Bond and Indiana Jones team up to fight cave trolls from Lord of the Rings who've come to Earth in the Black Fortress from Krull."

 

[Frodo]

Oh I agree... it isn't all time great, but it's a solid movie. that's why I said like 7.5 I don't understand why it has to be the a Top 250 movie to justify it's existence. It's not horrible. I am not sure everyone would enjoy it but if you like westerns I think you might.

I agree. Its a popcorn film . Like any other film, it depends on your expectations really. When I go into a film called Cowboys and Aliens expecting some good entertainment, not this year's potential Academy Award nominee. While its not as good as Thor, XMFC, CA, and HPATDHP2, it was a solid fun flick for me at least.

 

[danoyse]

Saw it this morning. Thought it was actually pretty damn awesome.

 

[RolandDaggett]

Good questions. I haven't seen it yet but will this week. Unquestionably if they'd stuck to the original 1989 script they would've had a much better movie. Or at least the makings of one.

That said, given the dearth of excellent films these days I expect it will do well.

1989 script for what movie?

 

[Secret Fawful]

I agree. Its a popcorn film . Like any other film, it depends on your expectations really. When I go into a film called Cowboys and Aliens expecting some good entertainment, not this year's potential Academy Award nominee. While its not as good as Thor, XMFC, CA, and HPATDHP2, it was a solid fun flick for me at least.

I went expecting good entertainment. I came away feeling like this...in a bad way.

 

[CelticPredator]

I feel similar...but not the same. I did LIKE the movie. I just didnt LOVE IT. And I wanted to love it.

What was I expecting? Iron Man. That kind of fun.

 

[Doc Ock]

Saw it this morning. Thought it was actually pretty damn awesome.

*high fives*

 

[Punisher Rising]

Got back from this and quite enjoyed it. It wasn't perfect but it definitely kept me entertained. Ford and Craig were both great and I enjoyed the action scenes and the alien designs were awesome, too. Definitely worth seeing in the theater. I'd give it a 7/10 for now, but can see it being bumped another point after another watch or two.