Review of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) by Mcblancaflor — 10 Jul 2020

The opening credits rolled together with Morricone's score. Right there on I knew the film is going to be a classic. It has great character introductions: Tuco crashing on the glass window, Angel Eyes' standing on the door as if Death is waiting and there is no way out, and of course, Blondie's menacing "Yeah, but you don't look like the one who'll collect it." line. These stylistic introductions by Sergio Leone captures the audience on what is to come.

Yup, what is to come is not as dull as the deserts of Spain. It has a very compelling plot which dwells on the morality of the characters in the backdrop of the Civil War. All three characters are crooked gunslingers, their eyes are all focused on the gold but the Civil War would spell their differences. The Bad really is bad, The Ugly do have a displeasing personality, but The Good... we don't even know why he was called one until he comments about how men are wasted in wars. He even offered alcohol and cigar to the dying men of war. The writers did not shy away on portraying the horrors of war because one will know a person's morality on how he views injustice. Does he take advantage of this for personal gain (The Bad), does he go against it (The Good), or just don't care at all (The Ugly). Lastly, the film won't be a cinematic classic without the cinematography and Morricone's score. The combination of these two elements was perfectly executed especially into its climactic ending of the three main character's stare downs and their hands slowly creeping on their guns while Morricone's The Trio is playing on the background. The establishment of eye lines together with camera angles were perfectly executed. Of course, I would not forget the classic intro. I mean that intro is a stable in those western-inspired films whenever there's a stare down happening in the middle of the town.

I believe this is the epitome of Western movies. All the western-inspired films in the modern times definitely stole a lot from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Indeed, a masterpiece in all aspects.