The Harder They Fall

This movie has so much style that substance is barely required. Yes, there were Black cowboys. Yes, these people existed. But this movie is mostly focused on (a) a ridiculously talented cast, (b) a familiar revenge tale, (c) amazing scenery/cinematography, (d) an absolutely banging soundtrack. By the end, you almost forget how whitewashed (and often boring) Westerns were for 100 years. It is big, bombastic, violent, unapologetic, and sexy as Hell. You may not love it, but you will 100% be entertained.

And then the Martian tried to make a western. A painfully slow epic which steals from every western genre that came before it, but then it lapses into reggae musical interludes. And the gratuitous violence against everybody, Jesus... and no story. Well, there is a story, but the film meanders so much you don't care. The weirdest thing I've ever seen. Watch 3:10 to Yuma again, instead...or maybe The Harder They Come ;=)

This had all the makings of a good western but seemed more of a low budget Django Unchained.

Poor acting, plot and character development.

Idris was disappointing and I felt no love between the main man and woman.

The movie was as bad as my review.

A wild bunch of good, bad and ugly outlaws fight over a few more than a fistful of dollars with true grit, before, after and during high noon, saddles ablaze with nothing to dodge, magnificent as many times as you like, wherever you decide to search, on any number of trains to Yuma, along as many red rivers as you can trace, stagecoaches at the ready, with Winchesters drawn, pistols locked, cocked and loaded.

Great performances and direction in a genre that had lost its momentum and mojo over the years, but as seen here, can still surprise and engage, with not too much variation from an overcooked theme.

The opportunity to view a black western appealed to me. It is hard not to see and feel racial overtones dominating the storyline.

Great acting but the direction felt like there was too much modern racial tension. Sort of a cowboys in the hood feel. The story was pretty loose. Clean camera work, great backdrop and props. Lack of diversity left me feeling it went past it's purpose. Clean production.