Fear and Loathing in Aspen

This isn't a film about Hunter S Thompson. It is a film about Aspen and the end of the old west, as told though the Battle for Aspen. What Thompson's campaign was all about. When the film stays on point it is pretty good and actually does show the conflict that still exists today in Aspen over development and wealth instead of community. But it is hard to fill a two hour movie with only that theme, so there's a lot of filler showing the details of the campaign.

Though most will probably know the name "Hunter S Thompson" for his wilder exploits chronicled in the book and film "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" , this movie focuses on some of his more constructive efforts, namely his bid to become Sheriff of the rural town of Aspen in 1970. Humourous japes such as pcp laced cigarettes and roller skating activists are placed alongside more serious themes such as industrial pollution, police harassment, and, inevitably, the war in Vietnam. It all rolls along quite nicely but in the end, the film just doesn't quite go in hard enough. Ironically, leaning into the nastier side of Hunter's legend ( or indeed the darker side of American society at the time) might have given the film the extra bit of tension and pizazz needed to lift it from good to great. Instead, it spends far too much time labouring it's central point, which is that the hippies had some good ideas underneath the craziness, they just needed to get out and vote. I've no idea how succinct this analysis is, I just resented being beaten over the head with it quite so much. Still , this film is an above average watch.

I really loved Fear And Loathing In Vegas, where Johnny Depp did a remarkable job playing Hunter S. Thompson. That movie can not be compared to this one though as Fear And Loathing In Aspen is more biographical than pure entertainment. Jay Bulger also did a very good job playing Hunter S. Thompson. That's the best thing about this movie. The story is also interesting to follow. I just wished the quality of the cinematography would have been better. That was in my humble opinion the weakest point of this movie. Plus some actors were just not that good either. That said it's worth a watch but I don't really need to watch it again. Fear And Loathing In Vegas on the other hand I can rewatch several times.

Could have been better. Just OK acting. Just OK writing. Just an OK movie all in all. And by the way the Johnny Depp is the only guy who can play Hunter S Thompson, this guys got balls for at least trying though.

Entertaining and easy going fun to watch movie, dont know why so much haters.