The idea of morphing genres is from the ground point, doomed for failure. Reality strikes when we open our eyes and see too many themes blending, characters misunderstood, and plot points being far too expository. Jon Favreau’s attempt to do such, combining a Western with a Sci-fi flick, is the worst kinds of films: one that doesn’t even attempt to be bold or original.
So now, what are we left with ladies and gentlemen? I’ll tell you: a sitting duck of a film, filled with blanks faces, clichéd dialect, ridiculous smack-downs, and an infusing of genres that mold with zero fluency.
To give a plot synopsis of a film so miscalculated and sporadically plotted is next to impossible – but, never the less, I’ll give it a go. Set in 1873 (why I have no clue) Favreau focuses on a spaceship that arrives in Arizona, planning to take over the Earth – starting with the Western region. The battle is, as the title clearly states, Cowboys vs. Aliens. But really, it should be Cowboys, Indians, Policemen, Animals, and 10-Year Old kids vs. Aliens. Though honestly, there’s no need to question the logistics of a film.
In every person there’s a bit of a bias. I’ll be the first one to tell you what genres I’m not the biggest fan of. In particular the Sci-Fi and Western genres are undoubtedly my least favorite. Cowboys & Aliens, while desperately attempting to be a mixture of both, ends up in the middle of nowhere.
But (there’s always a but in these type of reviews) they’re a few things that work here. While Favreau still has little direction in his films, he has no problems gathering in two key components in all of his pictures: a roundabout of big name actors and bombastic, still pleasingly entertaining action sequences. Both objects of affection are delivered in spades.
And yet, while the action is popping, it also symbolizes a double-egged sword. Anytime Favreau can’t figure out what to do with his story (and boy, does that happen far too often) he just bumps up the action and places it every which way. By this point – it’s not even interesting, but just plain redundant.
With such an engaging premise, you’d expect more pay off. However, it doesn’t come. Instead, it’s like a T.V. show in the way it ends: The lone ranger riding off on his horse, giving us a cliffhanger as if any of the audience’s members actually care about the story on screen. The only point in which I was surprised by Cowboys & Aliens is that before the end credits, there wasn’t a “To be continued” caption.
Rating: 
Cowboys & Aliens (2011)
Cast: Daniel Craig, Olivia Wilde, Harrison Ford
Director: Jon Favreau
Writer: Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, Steve Oedekerk
Runtime: 118 minutes
Genre: western, thriller, sf
I think the blending of scifi and western is actually pretty original to an extent. It’s not been done before (at least, not that I know of). The trailer makes it look like an intentionally ridiculous but fun movie. I once again have to wait until August 10 to see it because I live in Belgium. Sigh.
The idea may original, but the way it was produced is far from it.
I’m so disappointed that this film isn’t the success that first trailer indicated it might be. An interesting concept, spoiled by an overdose of writers and producers.
Oh well, bring on the next Bond film.
I’m very excited for the next Bond film – thanks for reminding me.
Feels like a flick that was poked, tweaked, reformatted and re-edited at least a dozen times. But there is still some deal of fun to be had here, this just shouldn’t have taken itself so seriously. Good Review Sam my man!
That’s another point I didn’t even brush on: the fact that the film is far too serious. Thanks for reading Dan.
When I saw the trailer, I couldn’t get why everyone was quite interested in this flick. Having read your review (the first review of this movie I’ve actually read), I assume that I wouldn’t like it either. And I can only imagine how terrible it was for you personally, regarding it’s your two least fav genres.
Yeah, me either – the trailer was lackluster.
@Vic V
Firefly was basically a sci-fi western, but focused more on the sci-fi aspect. However the laws of that universe were sometimes left out in the dust, and it’s even stated: You have a ship, you have a job, you have a gun, you’ll keep it”. Firefly was a great show that got cancelled, and even spawned the movie “Serenity”
Very resourceful you are Ryan S.
I saw the movie about two weeks ago, it was decent. I like Daniel and Harrison, but I do agree it made itself too serious..
Brothers finally agreeing on a film. Look at that.
Can’t say I was even excited by the action. The stuff with Craig at the beginning was good, but the climax was just an uninteresting blur for me.
I do look to SERENITY (and FIREFLY) as a western/sci-fi hybrid done right. But this was just a bad idea transformed into a bad film
Craig was just a bit too stoic for me.
Neighbors saw the film and it entertained them. They are really not who I go to for film recommendations and I already expressed my opinion about this summers movie line up!! HUGGGGh!
[...] Second viewings for pictures I typically didn’t enjoy the first time around are far and few. That’s not to say my opinion cannot be swayed after one viewing, because it can. However Jon Favreau’s sweeping stoic epic Cowboys and Aliens is still – upon repeated inspection – a dull, unoriginal, plodding mess. For your reading fulfillment a full review. C- [...]
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