Cowboys and Aliens

Directed By: Jon Favreau
Screenplay By: Damon Lindelof, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Mark Fergus, and Hawk Ostby

Genre: Western/Sci-fi

Release Date: July 29, 2011

Running Time: 118 minutes

7.1/10 Dropps

There were plenty of warning signs attached to Cowboys & Aliens. The fact that it is a film based off a graphic novel based off a failed movie pitch. A plethora of writers attached to the script, including the guy from Lost. And the big issue, the film contains cowboys fighting aliens. However, I must admit that Cowboys & Aliens is not a bad film.

It’s far from a cinematic marvel as well, but it fits the bill as a summer action movie that wanted to take some risks. The film takes place in 1875, where an unnamed mystery man (Daniel Craig) wakes up in the middle of nowhere with no idea who he is, and a strange metallic bracelet on his arm. He makes enemies in the town of Absolution, the biggest of whom is Col. Woodrow Dolorhyde (Harrison Ford), but all those hostilities are put to rest when aliens begin to attack and abduct the townspeople. A posse is formed and a select few battle with the aliens.

The plot has its holes but that’s to be expected given the subject matter, so I tried my best to ignore it. For Cowboys & Aliens the biggest test was whether or not the blending of the western and sci-fi genres would work well enough on the screen… which it does, for the most part. Although, there are several instances where the movie begins to fall flat because it cannot choose which way to go. Movies should normally be graded on a pass or fail basis if they attempt this but i’ll give them a decent passing grade.

The best way to describe the acting is efficient, due to the fact that the actors have played these roles before. Daniel Craig as a brooding yet confidant protector (James Bond), Olivia Wilde as an innocent looking citizen with a secret (House), Harrison Ford with a grizzled outlook searching for a loved one (see career), and Sam Rockwell giving a great performance that will go overlooked (see career as well).

In terms of the summer action movie slate, Cowboys & Aliens is probably worth your time, it is action packed with some recognizable leads. The most I can complement about Cowboys & Aliens is that it was worth taking a risk. When I first saw the trailers it looked as appealing as a Mega-Shark VS Giant Octopus movie, but the film won me over with its effort; not an easy accomplishment.