Starring: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde, Abigail Spencer, Clancy Brown, Paul Dano, Adam Beach, Sam Rockwell, Keith Carradine, Raoul Trejillo, Walton Goggins, and more…
Directed by: Jon Favreau Writing Credits: Robert Orci, Alex Kurtzman, Damon Lindelof, Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Steve Oedekerk Original Music by: Harry Gregson-Williams
Premise: In 1873 an amnesiac in the Arizona Territory, searches for his identity and past even as he finds himself in the middle of an alien conspiracy. Made more puzzling by the fact he’s the only one with a weapon that seems capable of harming the intruders.
Review: I’d been waiting for this one for a long time. A lot of people think the premise sounds insane, but I wanted to see what they did with it. Being backed by Spieldberg, I knew it could be done. I wasn’t wrong.
The movie begins and moves along where you might expect. But once things get rolling, the unexpected starts making an appearance, taking several items in directions you wouldn’t have guessed, and ratcheting the enjoyment factor.
The vistas in the film are truly breathtaking – the arid plains, the colorful skies. Now throw in some flying ships, explosions, and some good old fashioned western stuff, and voila! Loads of great visuals.
Great cast, with great performances. Cool CGI. Things about the aliens, the whys and wherefores, come out a bit at a time and they make sense. As the end nears we get to see more and more of the visitors.
Several subplots/character complications run concurrently with the mission at hand, some needed, some not, yet still satisfying in their own way. There are even several comedic moments. You might even get a flashback to the Poseidon Adventure – heh heh – you’ll know it when you see it.
Overall, nothing too brainy or complicated, but a heap of gun totting, alien butt kicking fun!
Rating: 4 out of 5 (Hubby’s Rating: Worth Full Price of Admission)
