Appaloosa (2008) Review

I went to the LA premiere of "Appaloosa" tonight.together somewhat differently, but it was still apparent
Before the screening an executive described the filmto me.
to the audience as Ed Harris's vision and introducedOne scene that is unique in the movie attempts to
Harris as the most obsessive filmmaker he has everdraw sympathy from the audience for Renée
worked with. Thus, I thought Ed Harris was just beingZellweger's character, but there is no follow up. The
humble in telling the crowd, "we made the film for youmotivations for her actions in the film are never
to enjoy, so enjoy it."explained. Frustrating.
The film is somewhat enjoyable. The scenery, setsI know why Ed Harris told me at the beginning to "...just
and costumes are beautiful, the gunplay is fun and theenjoy..." and I will try not to hold won't hold anything
dialogue is funny and even witty at times. Maybe this isagainst his movie. As I see it George Clooney and pals
what drew such great actors to do the movie.like to make heist movies for fun and I don't hold it
Problem is that when I see Viggo Mortensen characteragainst them. So why can't Harris, Mortensens, Irons
in the movie, I think he would have been a great Docand others make westerns for fun? Well, "Ocean's 11"
Holliday. Both the characters and plot feel too familiar. Iwas officially a re-make, paying homage to the rat
felt the plots of a Wyatt Earp tale, Butch Cassidy andpack, which was very enjoyable. They then copied the
the Sundance Kid and an Arthur-Guinevere-Lancelotsame formula twice, which weren't so good. So in
love triangle were incorporated into this film. Maybecomparison, Harris in making this movie has skipped
elements of these plots are used here and weavedthe remake and given us "Butch Cassidy...2".