Film Review: Cowboys and Aliens

So, I watched Cowboys and Aliens last night. While I am not familiar with the source material, I liked it. (Reading the source material would require that "reading" part.) Here is my review: may contain spoilers!

For the most part, I think I am a fan of Jon Favreau's movies. After all, he did Iron Man.

One of the things I liked about it was that people you liked and cared about died. It goes against the typical Hollywood style by killing likeable characters. Further, the ending was bittersweet. This was because an important character dies. Thus, it doesn't have the joyous ending that is common in these types of movies. In other words, it did not conform to the Hollywood model. This is likely part of the reason why audiences did not care for it. I found it refreshing.

Further, at the beginning Harrison Ford is an unlikeable old codger. It was a departure for Mr. Ford. I am sure he relished the role. They did a good amount of character development with him. Of course, he was good (and believable.)

There is something about Daniel Craig. I cannot quite put my finger on it. I liked his performance in this movie. I think it is because he is at his best when he is playing a Clint Eastwood man with no name type character. That is, when he doesn't have any dialogue he is most enjoyable. However, he does not have quite the range that Clint does. Thus, in the subtler moments, he can be a bit hard to watch. He shouldn't be allowed to smile at all in film.

The rest of the supporting cast was very good. I will note that Clancy Brown and Sam Rockwell were especially noteworthy.

That is not to say that the film did not have its problems. There were two Deus Ex Machina moments in the film. I liked Daniel Craig's love interest Olivia Wilde. However, she is involved in one of the Oh come on! moments. This was probably part of the source material. The way they did it was a choice, and I think a poor one. Also, how Daniel Craig gets the alien weapon is a stretch.

Furthermore, the reason for the aliens coming to Earth is problematic. (Again, source material) However, this is a common problem for invasion films, so it isn't terrible. Well, at least it is forgivable.

There is the common Hollywood problem of not having to reload your guns. It is terribly noticeable in this particular film -- particularly at the climax. Why didn't any other humans use the alien weapons? We know how they come off...

Nonetheless, I enjoyed the movie. It could have been more fun. I think I would have gone a different direction, but that is me. I sometimes rewrite the movies while I am watching. Therefore, sometimes the movie I imagine I am watching is better than the one I am actually watching.