Review of Appaloosa (2008) by Justin M — 23 Aug 2009

The western has been experiencing a revival in recent years. Some have been good (The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, No Country for Old Men), some have been disappointing (The Proposition, 3:10 to Yuma).

But this film is the first one in ages that conforms to the original idea of what made this American genre so popular for decades. It is the kind of simple, solid western Hollywood used to turn out 20 times a year.

Ed Harris, a terrific actor for many years, directs for the second time in his career (he also directed and starred in 'Pollack') and he has made a fine western that would make Sam Peckinpah or John Ford proud.

He also stars in this, along with Viggo Mortensen (very good), Renee Zellweger, and Jeremy Irons (a superb villain). The acting is solid across the board, and the photography has a simple beauty to it.

This doesn't break any new ground for the genre, but that's part of it's appeal. You know there will be a saloon with a piano, zealous lawmen intent on preserving justice, the lone love interest who may or may not get in between two friends, a classic Mexican standoff, and, of course, there's gonna be a shootout.

Harris handles all of this with a steady vision and (unlike 3:10 to Yuma's compromised ending) sticks to the old code of the west. Entertaining, solidly written, and occasionally exciting, this western delivers the classic goods with verve.