Prairie Fever

From the descriptions I'd seen, I picked this up, expecting a cat and mouse game based around transporting a trio of insane women from a small town to the railhead. A horror version of 3:10 to Yuma. Instead, I got a film that seems to have been written by a committee of executives from WE, Lifetime, and the Hallmark Channel.

Neither the writing nor the acting were top notch. Though, between the two, the acting was better. The plot was fairly cookie cutter, and only the mules couldn't have seen everything coming after the first fifteen minutes.

The budget seemed on-par with an episode of Brisco County Jr, and I think they may have shared some sets. Most of the cast was unknown to me, but it was fun spotting familiar faces like Silas Weir Mitchell.

Still, I can't say it was terrible.

Drunken ex-sheriff Kevin Sorbo gets a ticket out of the jail-house and a fistful of cash to escort three half-crazed rejected mail-order brides to the nearest train back east. Along the way he teams up with a spunky, crooked lady gambler who wants to go straight and is running from her villainous husband/partner Lance Henrickson.

Fun and a little offbeat, Kevin Sorbo gets to show off his knack for comedy as well as action with help from a good supporting cast. They all certainly interact well together. It helps that the script gives each of the women fully developed, three-dimensional characters to work with.

Great trail scenery makes for a refreshing change of pace from the usually fake looking town sets you see in most modern westerns.

It's strange the ignorance of some people. Now here is really good movie in the western genre.

Being a western movie fan who can appreciate a good story, good directing, plus beautiful cinematography.

I have to say this one turned out to be a very good. Don't let someone who cannot find anything but four letter words stop you from watching.

Kevin Sorbo plays well as a "cowboy" I've seen him in Avenging Angel another good western you will like the way he comes across. He's no John Wayne but who is? Lance Henriksen also does a good job. And ladies a little action for you for the women are the main story.

Wasn't expecting a lot from this movie given other user reviews and I was mainly interested in watching Kevin Sorbo, but I was pleasantly surprised. Its a very typical and predictable plotline, but the pacing was good and entertaining throughout. As I expected, Sorbo added his terrific on-screen personality with humor which made his character, Preston Biggs, extremely likeable as the protagonist. Lance Henriksen did a solid job as the villain as he usually does in other movies. I was a little skeptical at the primary plot being centered around three women experiencing "Prairie Fever", but as the movie continued, it was well-explained and somewhat plausible.

Overall, this is a short and enjoyable western and you'll enjoy it if you are a fan of Sorbo or just westerns in general.

Genius Products recently made 3 made-for-TV westerns. Last night we saw "Aces N Eights" which I overrated at "1". "Prairie Fever" is light years better. This one has a reasonable plot, character development, and a situation you can get interested in. It does not have any of the idiot's delight tricks (jumparound camera work, bad editing, computer generated musical score) that wreck so many 2008 films.

17 mail-order-brides arrive out west, but not all find bliss with the rough-n-tumble men they marry. Three are headed home, and have to be taken to the railroad at Carson (City) Nevada. The alcoholic sheriff is given the job, and the journey is the story. New westerns are few and far between, so this one might fill your need.