Review of Hostiles (2017) by James R — 03 Jul 2018

This movie surprised me a bit. I didn't know what to expect from it since the trailer itself seemed pretty straight forward, but this being a Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart (2009), Out of the Furnace (2013)) I knew this would have a deeper meaning over all.

A very well done Western that follows a captain in the army during the late 1800's named Joseph Blocker (Christian Bale) who reluctantly has to escort a dying Native American Chief Yellow Hawk (Wes Studi) and his family back to Montana where he can lay to rest.

With the risk of a court martial and his pension disappearing Blocker agrees and takes some men with him to escort the chief. Along the way they come across Rosalee Quaid (Rosamund Pike) a woman who's family was massacred by the Apache.

Slowly but surely the journey becomes much more treacherous with the Apache killing people off, random criminals on the road and even threats from within the group. Blocker must realize that he must let go of the past and recognize what truly matters.

The film is beautifully shot. Some of the scenes are just great with the landscapes (especially in Montana at the end). The story itself is actually quite simple on the surface, but the questioning of one's humanity and how past actions effect someone really pays off quite well here.

I enjoyed the performances a lot here too. Bale once again is brilliant here and really get's into character as well as the other leads too. The film has some great action sequences too that are well done, but not the focus of the film.

it's a slow paced film that pays off with it's character interactions and also it's use of great cinematography and dialogue. If you're a fan of Western's it's worth checking this one out.