Yes I realize that this is quite inflated compared to the movie critics. But they are just that, critical, and this is one of those movies that I knew I was going to like from the outset so... they can take their film snobbery over to Cannes or Toronto or whatever because this movie RULES.
1st, James Bond and Indiana Jones (no I will not refer to them by their real names, but in C and A they are Jake Lonergan and Woodrow Dolarhyde respectively). 2nd, cowboys. 3rd, aliens. What else does the American movie-going public really want from a summer movie? What I appreciated the most (and what is really the meat of the movie) was the juxtaposition of two apparently disparate genres in their true archetypal forms. The cinematography was great, the aliens looked the most real I've seen lately and I liked the true blue hard-boiled eggness of the cowboys.
Part of the trueness to both genres means that in a lot of ways it was predictable, but it was somehow still exciting to me. The shock of seeing spaceships and saloons together on the screen is plain old creative and some parts did take me by surprise.
People can say what they want about Indi's acting chops but I loved the Dolarhyde character and thought he played it well. James Bond is a bit too pretty boy with pursed lips (this isn't Zoolander, Bond!) for me in gneral. But I just have one word to say about 007 in chaps: yes.
If you want something deep and metaphorical from the aliens (a la District 9, etc.) or some incredibly narrative and intellectual take on the Western (something ripped off from Cormac McCarthy) you need to adjust your expectations before seeing Cowboys and Aliens. This is a face value movie and if you expect something that is simply cool, you'll enjoy it.
And like I said: James Bond in chaps.
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