Review of Cowboys & Aliens (2011) by Conner R — 13 Jan 2014

I'll admit that Cowboys and Aliens might have some issues here and there, but I thought it was a lot of fun. This showcases some of the best elements from classic westerns like The Searchers and Rio Bravo, while also having some new things to say.

The idea of blending a western with sci-fi has been attempted before with the instant classic known as Wild Wild West, but ultimately doesn't blow over well with audiences and critics alike. I feel like this is basically the same situations.

For those who do get it and enjoy the style, it will be a great movie full of great action and genre taboos. Stepping up the game with aliens actually works a lot in my opinion, unlike the lame comic this is based on.

Somehow it just works due to the way the story is written and executed. John Favreau did a great job in my opinion at making this look great and have the feeling of a classy action movie and not a cheesy b-movie.

Then there's the unstoppable brute force known as Daniel Craig that gives intensity a new meaning. I'm a huge fan of him and this highlights all of his main qualities as an actor. It's also nice to see Harrison Ford in anything really, but his character was completely priceless and unique in terms of the types of people he usually plays.

The two together feel like a team up of Clint Eastwood and John Wayne battling bloodthirsty aliens. However, there's no getting around the goddess Olivia Wilde who enters each frame with unparalleled hotness.

This also has a great supporting cast that includes The Kurgen and a Windtalker.Overall, this movie is as fun as you allow it to be. If you don't just accept the reality of the movie, you will be a cynic throughout.

The intent was not to show why Aliens could have existed in the west, but to show an action-fueled adventure with an incredibly unique feeling. I think people are taking stabs at this for basically no reason.

Maybe it's a little outlandish, but that shouldn't distract you from having a good time. The movie doesn't constantly make you aware of the reality, it's easy to lose yourself in the beautiful visuals, fun characters and storytelling.

I also like that Cowboys and Aliens doesn't take itself as a joke or some kind of spoof, it really plants itself within a very realistic and serious setting. Most film-makers would've tried to make light of the situation and to me that's a cop out.

Jon Favreau is just fine with having a fantastical story and going with it. To me, it worked well in this case and I think this is a really great movie because of that.