Desolation Canyon

I happened upon this modern traditional Western by accident, and it turned out to be well worth watching, indeed, a movie that I would watch again...and again. The plot is a good one, with a number of quirks that keep one involved and wondering what just might happen next. I found the script writing to be terse and believable. Duffy and Keach work well together, and, in fact, the entire cast does well. Photography is almost entirely outside, with good shots of mountainous scenery and good camera work. Additionally, this is a movie that you can watch with the entire family, without fear that over-the-top "adult" situations will mar the viewing. I hope that it will show up on DVD.

The movie is a double treat because it offers plenty to those (usually me) who like to nit pick at the flaws in a movie, and it also offers plenty to those who want to sit back and relax and enjoy the movie's complex plot, enjoyable characters and happy family ending (as I do for the film). To enjoy the many fine qualities of the movie, you have to shrug-off the many small absurdities and filler in the plot. For example the story tells us that the two leads are expert experienced outdoors-men and trackers, so I believe it. Thus, it doesn't bother me when I see some amateurish moves on their part — like letting some bad guys walk away from an encounter in a saloon; and being shot at in the open so many times and surviving unhurt. There are a lot of unlikely plot coincidences that I just brush off.

I know IMDb has its own method to get a rating average, but I think this film should have a higher average. I see that about 150 voters gave 6 or better, and about 75 gave it 5 or worse — so how did it end up with a 5.7 average? For me the movie is an unexpected pleasure. I agree with those who laugh at the stupid title to the movie, that has nothing to do with anything in the movie — "Desolation Canyon."

It may not be awarded as a "classic western", but this is a great flick. Albeit simple dialog (to help those woke kids understand what a western is), Keach and Duffy make a great team. Edwin the Eastern wimp turns out to have more grit than anyone expected.

If you are a good-old-boy like me who enjoy's westerns, and want to see one not repeated over the last 40 years, this will not dissapoint.

If you are a anal movie critic and do not care about the "spirit of the west", and western movies in general, then skip it and go get an ice-cream with Joey-Biden. A good movie doesn't have to "rate" with critics to be a good movie, lol.

First off, I enjoy westerns, that said, this is a very interesting modern western with a modern theme. I see how this could happen today and in the past. We don't have many movies that teach good morals these days. This movie brings out the blessings and hardships of having family and being a friend. It is nice to see the horse play and phrases that the cowboys would have used and the settings of the old west. A catchy line or two brings out the charm and creates a feeling of understanding. The directing was a little bland and made it seam like another old western at times. I would look forward to more work like this with a more modern directing theme to it. Look for more work by this writer. I felt it was fresh and witty with very little diversion from the quest we were on. Love, hate, violence, vengeance and of course greed played out well. But also present was duty, honor, family, friendship and the pride of doing what is right also played deep into this production. For a family movie, I would suggest (and I have) to my friends and family. Hallmark has pulled off another wonderful family movie that will entertain and enrich families.

This was a very nice story but felt the flow of the movie and some of the acting were weak.

It was nice to see a western that instilled basic family values and had a heartwarming plot. I did like the acting of the outlaw son, the little boy and his mother.

The written story and concept was excellent and I look forward to seeing more stories of this type.

The movie so-so, the bounty hunter plot was somewhat confusing. There was also confusing moments when outlaws, bounty hunters and rescue team were face to face, but then all walked away to meet at a later time. The flow was just not good in those sections.

Stacy Keach did not seem to be dynamic enough in this role.

The outlaws did a great job.