Review of Appaloosa (2008) by Jay L — 11 Feb 2011

Ed Harris, a screen great and one of my favorite actors wrote and directed this slow-moving, but somewhat entertaining western. More of a romantic western than a traditional western, Appaloosa struggles to get off the ground and never really hits its stride. It features great cinematography and excellent set pieces, Harris shot the film beautifully. The story, however, suffers throughout from it's slow-progressing plot, and it never really caught my interest. It does have an originality factor going for it. The action is few and far between, but pretty intense and realistic. Hardcore western fans will be pleased with this, but otherwise it's not worth multiple viewings.

The cast is strong and the acting is good, it stars Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen alongside each other for the first time since David Cronenberg's A History Of Violence. These two have great chemistry together that's for sure. Renee Zellwegger and Jeremy Irons co-star and are good as well. The acting isn't lacking any talent, the story just didn't work for me.