year: 1994 cast: Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio rating: ***1/2 |
Sharon Stone, as a mysterious stranger Ellen, enters a small town and takes part in a contest of the fast draw. Each person, ranging from cutthroats to convicts to the law, takes part in what eventually becomes a do-or-do match along the dusty main street.
Sharon Eastwood Stone |
The duels are fantastic – each character’s personality introduced in a Graphic Novel fashion, and their impending fate means more than mere body count. These include Lance Hendriksen as a self-promoting/self-proclaimed fastest gun; Keith David as a mercenary; and an Indian claiming no bullet can kill him. This contest provides competitive intrigue that we can always fall back on, liken to the Bruce Lee classic ENTER THE DRAGON.
The eclectic contestant's aside, we’re full aware who the final four will be: Ellen, Herod, Cort, and a very spirited Leonardo DiCaprio as “The Kid,” a bragging youngster with an energetic courage exceeding common sense. And although Sharon Stone does a good job as the scowling figurehead, the real stuff centers on Hackman and Crowe, both connected more than the revenge-driven heroine wants to believe.
This has always been one of my secret pleasures of Sam Raimi's filmography. And it's always the film I think about when I think of DiCaprio (the first movie I ever saw him in).
ReplyDeleteIt may not be my favorite Pre-Spider-Man Raimi movie (Darkman will always be my favorite Raimi movie, yes even over Evil Dead 2 AND Army of Darkness), but I really loved this movie.