Another Day in the Old West

Read Time:4 Minute, 13 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Cowboys & Aliens (4KUHD)
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Genre: Sci-Fi, Western, Action, Thriller, Drama
Year Released: 2011, 2024 Kino Lorber 4K
Runtime: 1h 59m
Director(s): Jon Favreau
Writer(s): Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, Damon Lindelof, Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Steve Oedekerk, Scott Mitchell Rosenberg
Cast: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde, Paul Dano, Clancy Brown, Keith Carradine, Sam Rockwell, Adam Beach, Walter Goggins, Abigail Spencer, Wyatt Russell
Where To Watch: available October 15, 2024; pre-order your copy here: www.kinolorber.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: In the genre-bending ride COWBOYS & ALIENS, we saddle up for a merging dusty, gun-slinging antics of the Wild West with the flash of science fiction. The desert skies of the old frontier offer a perfect backdrop for our hero, Jake Lonergan, portrayed by Daniel Craig. He emerges shrouded in mystery, grappling with amnesia, and tethered to a peculiar technological artifact—a curious twist that lays the groundwork for this cinematic venture.

The narrative is set in Absolution, a town clenched in the iron fist of Colonel Woodrow Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford.) While Ford delivers a formidable presence, his portrayal stays closely within the archetype of the hardened Western patriarch, leaving a trail of untapped potential. Characters like Olivia Wilde’s Ella and Sam Rockwell’s saloon owner, Doc, strive to introduce a layered complexity to the tale. Yet, their narratives often unravel amidst the broader plot distractions the film cannot quite corral.

As night falls over the frontier, the sudden intrusion of extraterrestrial forces sends a jolt of the unknown across the plains. Yet, these visitors, depicted with conventional sci-fi standards, lack the innovation to distinguish them from stereotypical intergalactic foes. Their pursuit of earthly riches serves more as a convenient plot trap than anything else.

Director Jon Favreau steers the film with a firm hand, yet his serious approach often muzzles the whimsical potential inherent in such a fantastical premise. The fleeting sparks of humor—mostly in terse exchanges between Craig and Ford—are smothered by the film's broader tone. Furthermore, the plot ambles through its paces, padding out its runtime with scenes that add little substance to its characters or themes, a far cry from the multidimensional experience that could have been.

Despite these missteps, COWBOYS & ALIENS is not without its triumphs. The film renders the desert's barren vistas, capturing the landscape's harsh beauty with cinematic finesse that nods to the Western genre's grand tradition. These visuals and a dynamic score elevate the moments that resonate. Craig shines through the dust, his performance finely tuned to the Western hero archetype yet imbued with a compelling depth that promises more than the script delivers. Conversely, Ford’s character starts on a solid note but is hemmed in by the script, curtailing any substantial character development and the resultant emotional depth.

Ultimately, COWBOYS & ALIENS straddles the divide between homage and innovation but commits fully to neither, its serious tone clashing with the outlandish premise. While it might be a diversion for audiences seeking a straightforward genre mash-up, it stops short of revolutionizing or deeply exploring the genres it aims to unite. Favreau’s ambitious melding of Western and sci-fi motifs highlights the challenges of genre fusion, showcasing the delicate balance required to meld distinct cinematic elements without diluting their essence.

Product Extras:
DISC 1 (4KUHD):
Brand New UHD SDR Master of the Theatrical Cut (119 Minutes)
Audio Commentary by Director Jon Favreau
5.1 Surround & Lossless 2.0 Stereo Audio
Triple-Layered UHD100 Disc
Optional English Subtitles

DISC 2 (Blu-ray):
HD Master of the Extended Cut (135 Minutes)
Audio Commentary by Director Jon Favreau
Conversations with Jon Favreau
Igniting the Sky: The Making of Cowboys & Aliens
3 Theatrical Trailers (2 Newly Mastered in 2K)
14 TV Spots
5.1 Surround & Lossless 2.0 Stereo Audio
Dual-Layered BD50 Disc
Optional English Subtitles

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[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER]

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