Lucky Luke

I really wanted to like this movie: firstly, I'm a lifelong fan of the „Lucky Luke"-comics (second only to „Asterix the Gaul"); secondly, like most German kids of my generation, I grew up with the Terence Hill films of the 70's and early 80's. Especially the Spaghetti-Westerns with Bud Spencer, where Hill would play the unwashed, gluttonous yet always fair (and "drawing faster than his own shadow") "Trinity" were cult. Later Hill would sort of reprise the role under the name "Nobody" (or "Nessuno" in the original version), playing a similarly fast and witty, yet cleaner version of "Trinity". In many ways, "Nobody" was a more anarchistic, lawless version of "Lucky Luke".

Indeed, what could go wrong casting Terence Hill in a real "Lucky Luke"-film? Well, theoretically the glove fit Hill like Pierce Brosnan would make the ultimate James Bond – in theory.

Technically both the short-lived series and the film (edited together from the show) are so flawed that they're virtually unwatchable as "Lucky Luke"-films and make it hard to choose what to start with. For one, Terence Hill is roughly 20 years beyond his prime. Had this film been produced in the 70's, Hill could have gotten away with pure panache – in the 90's he simply looks worn out, trying to reproduce the moves from "Trinity"-times.

Hill could have even gotten away, had the "Lucky Luke"-character been named for what it really is: "Nobody" AKA "Nessuno". Even down to the outfit (which has nothing in common with the iconic Lucky Luke outfit), the character had every physical trademark of Nobody but none of Lucky Luke.

The comic-book Luke is a sombre character, who only talks when needed, forever having a rolled cigarette between his lips, virtually unimpressionable but always ready to help those in need of a fast-drawing gunman. But this here is Nobody: somewhere between goofy, super-cool who will occasionally play the simpleton in order to mask his superior wit and imagination.

Trying to find something good to say about "Lucky Luke": the film is good, wholesome, family-friendly fun that can be enjoyed by both young and old – unless you're a hardcore "Lucky Luke"-fan, that is. And it's good to see Terence Hill again even though it's like seeing a relative whom one lost connection with over the decades: one is happy to see them again, reminded of the 'good old days' and still very fond off – but in the back of your head you're thinking that time hasn't been kind to them and that the youthful vigour is forever gone.

I hate to recommend any film featuring Til Schweiger but if you need to feel a real life film about "Lucky Luke", rather go for the 2003 version – at least Lucky is wearing blue jeans, a yellow shirt and a black coat, though I still can't see Lucky Luke without the iconic cigarette.

As a later-Terence Hill vehicle I'd give it six points; as a Lucky Luke film it get's merely four so I'll settle for the middle-ground.

Daisy Town is a nice, growing town, but the violence is getting out of hand. In wanders Lucky Luke (Terence Hill) on his horse Jolly Jumper (Roger Miller), who also narrates the film. The two of them clean up the town in jig time. The trouble is that things are so quiet the town is dying. Fortunately for the movie, all the bad guys that Hill sent to prison made them clear out people who've been there a long time, so they release the Dalton Brothers, led by Ron Carey. His sinister plot is to pretend to be Indians raiding the passing stages until the town goes to war with them. Can Hill figure out their plot and make peace? Or at least Jolly Jumper?

It's based on Belgian cartoonist Morris' series begun in 1946; Rene Goscinny started scripting it in 1955. Half nostalgic, half travesty, it was a very popular comic, and an earlier version of this movie was made in 1971. Hill directed this, and starred in a TV series based in 1992; it was cut short by the death of his adopted son. Morris continued the series until his death in 2001, and other hands have continued it.

It's handsomely shot in White Sands National Monument, and has a lot of fun playing with western tropes. My only regret is they couldn't figure out how to include Rin Tin Can, The Stupidest Dog In The Universe.

Don't expect a huge budget or flashy camera work.. This is a mild take on "Lucky Luke" the famous Comic/Cartoon. Luke is played by Terence Hill, that Trinity guy. This is good for the entire family since Hill keeps up his tradition of films without violence, sex, & language. Try finding that these days.. It is great to see Neil Summers as Lukes Deputy Sheriff. Summers played Squirrel in My Name Is Nobody (Remember the scene in the bar where the fella is shooting glasses before they hit the ground.. always grinding his teeth..). Good stuff, Good music too.. The late Roger Miller provides the opening theme, the narration, & the voice of Jolly Jumper while the ending credits has a Arlo Guthrie song. I know a lot of people will not like Lucky Luke, but it's not for everyone, but if you are looking for something for the whole family to enjoy or if you are a big Terence Hill fan it is worth watching.

I don’t really understand all the negative comments about this movie. First off, how do you expect to make a serious impression out of a comic book that didn't even take itself serious? This movie is not to be taken serious, it’s a comedy. (com•e•dy n. pl. com•e•dies 1. a. A dramatic work that is light and often humorous or satirical in tone and that usually contains a happy resolution of the thematic conflict. b. The genre made up of such works.

2. A literary or cinematic work of a comic nature or that uses the themes or methods of comedy. 3. Popular entertainment composed of jokes, satire, or humorous performance. 4. The art of composing or performing comedy. 5. A humorous element of life or literature: the human comedy of political campaigns. 6. A humorous occurrence.)

I read all of Morris and Goscinny’s work when they were at their best. In addition, there was always with a twinkle in their eyes creating this hero what he is today.

IMHO Terence Hill makes a great job capturing that from the comic books and here for those that think Morris made a mistake. (All the movies he was in had an angle with tongue-in-cheek perspective). Why would they continue their collaboration if he (Morris) had not approved of Terence Hill and the screen writing. Terence Hill doesn’t take himself to serious and that shows in his movies. No cussing or questionable “nude” scenes, just pure good old fashion fun. As a movie buff I enjoy a good movie and I don’t judge how and who and why this and that is awful or faithful to whatever the source of a movie. I watch a movie to be entertained without to have to dissect every move or scene I see. This one is great, full of humour and with a tongue-in-cheek kind of way. Life’s too short to grumble about how bad this is etc. Enjoy the show, grab a bag of popcorn and kick back in your favourite chair or couch and just have fun.

This movie is very bad. The only reason I rented it was because I know someone in it. And by the way, it WAS filmed in the United States (it was filmed here in New Mexico). I think this is supposed to be a comedy, but it was only stupid. Since Terrance Hill directed it too, he has himself in almost every shot. Long, long shots of him just riding a horse or walking or a long look into the camera. This is just a waste of time.