Buffalo Boys

I saw strong influences of Kurosawa in this film, with overtones of Peckinpah. The mix works surprisingly well.

Unfortunately the guys in the lead roles were not really up to the task. I realize that as acting styles vary in other countries, but these guys lacked credibility. Perhaps the echoes of Kurosawa had me looking for a Mifune.

The romantic substory seemed extraneous and forced.

If you expect action you'll get it in this movie. the storyline ain't that heavy or original but a decent action for ASEAN markets. skip this movie if you don't like indonesian speaking cowboys or don't know where's Indonesia is on a map.

After months of anticipation and high hopes (partly because of the shiny-looking-trailer), Buffalo Boys proves itself as a worthy new kind of action-tale that sets its foot right to build their own world. Buffalo Boys nailed in taking audiences into the old times, one with leather hats & boots. Having said that, it feels safe, too safe; from a generic villain boss, (two) damsel in distress, to emotionally instructive score (good ones, fortunately) with moments meant to achieve ideas bigger than what its capable to accomplished. Well at least they gives cliche a good name. Good thing that they has its moment-the fight choreography is superb with long duration, cool action scenes, and there are even some excellent explosions. Fun to watch. Don't be too angry if you guys found the drama as "too much". Can't wait to see more from this "world". The job done quite nicely, hopefully some improvements would be made in the next movie.

I love westerns, but this was unbearable. Three men just watch as everyone is brutalized, oppressed, raped, killed, beaten, beheaded, hung and tortured. They do everything wrong or just nothing at all. 3/4 of the characters have many chances to end the bad guy yet none even try. Painful to watch. Been watching westerns for over 50 years, this is in my bottom ten. Poor script, poor acting, and predictable.

The film is not bat, but not particularly good either.

The story is very simple, yet, that's totally alright for a revenge "western". 2 dimensional characters, but well acted and likable good guys. But quite a cliché-ridden script. Fits the genre, tho. The locations are nice, too.

So why not a higher rating?

It's clearly a B- or C-movie. But that's not the point and would've been irrelevant if it weren't for one thing: The action, that's what matters, such films live off it, and in that department it's lacking here, gunfights and martial arts scenes alike.

The fight scenes with their choreography are nothing spectacular, only average at best which is a bummer since Sunny Pang is in the film who did a good job as the villain in Headshot fighting Iko Uwais. Some funny and interesting guns are shown and handled, too bad not more use was made of them. Less irrelevant dialogue and more cannon fooder to dispose of would have been greatly appreciated. The trailer suggests way more action than what's really there.

The usual paid 1-review-only-"fans" can be ignored like the "patriots" trying to boost their countries film industry. Ratings higher than 6 are nonsense and have nothing to do with reality. For the entertainment value I personally got out of it, it's a 5 from me. Nothing terrible, but nothing to watch again, ever.