Review of The Quick and the Dead (1995) by Ben L — 07 Nov 2007

On a brief digression, funny how the synopsis is more of a review then giving the actual plot and leaving it at that.

I can't help but like this film despite it's many, many flaws. Raimi is a master of camera trickery and the story line is what most people think westerns are (including myself at one point). Stone isn't exactly a brilliant actress but she keeps an air of mystery about her. I was surprised to see Crowe in this film but thinking this was the start of his career, it is plausible. Hackman is a brilliant bad guy, giving the character 3 dimensions, instead of 2. There are points where he brings sympathy, somewhat to the character and doesn't play it as a hammy bad guy as so many hollywood actors tend and like to do (example: Paul Giamatti in 'Shoot 'Em up'). Dicaprio makes a good performance seem unbelievable for someone who isn't brilliant at acting. The story centres around a shooting contest and characters are paired up until eventually one is left standing. Not much basis for a movie which is why there is the stone/hackman plot but if you like a movie that aims to entertain, this is your movie.