Hard Bounty

Jim Wynorski makes movies so guys can see beautiful women naked. That's it. Story, plot, historical accuracy, mood, whatever, doesn't matter; how many great-looking women it has and how often they get naked is the main concern of a Jim Wynorski movie, and this one keeps up that noble tradition (sort of). Kelly LeBrock doesn't really do anything for me--her lips look like they've been injected with most of the world's supply of collagen--and she's never been much of an actress. Even in a low-budget--VERY low-budget--western like this one, she's over her head. However, the other three women, especially gorgeous blonde Kimberly Kelly, almost make the movie bearable. I say "almost" because, once you get past the gratuitous nudity--of which there actually isn't enough, which is astounding for a Wynorski epic--the movie has pretty much nothing to recommend it. Wynorski usually leavens his breaststravaganzas with a healthy dose of humor, but there's little of that to be seen here. Matt McCoy is so hilariously lame in his goofy aping of Clint Eastwood's "Man With No Name" character that at first I thought this movie was going to be a parody, in the vein of "Rustler's Rhapsody"--in the opening gunfight with three competing bounty hunters, you can clearly hear McCoy fire seven shots from his six-shooter--but unfortunately they played it straight, and it doesn't work at all. The acting, as has been mentioned, is for the most part subpar; although villain John Terlesky isn't half bad, McCoy, Ross Hagen as the sheriff and especially Jay Richardson as the chief bad guy are just terrible. The gunfights (I hesitate to say "action") are very poorly handled, the dialogue (can't believe they actually paid somebody to write that bilge) is laughable and there's not enough nudity to make up for its many shortcomings. I guess Wynorski just didn't have his heart in it. I give it four stars--one each for Kimberly Kelly's best assets and one each for Rochelle Swanson's, all four of which are displayed to their best advantage. Other than that, this "western" is pretty much a dud.

You can hardly expect an oscar winner for this type of film, but it was ok in the end, although the last half does descend into a farce, with the girls miraculously being able to kill everybody, despite not being able to hit a thing five minutes before.

In the end, 5 out of 10

Someone please tell me why anyone making a serious Western movie could be so ignorant that they would ruin it at the very beginning by having the main character rapidly fire seven times from a six-shooter? Foley artists not counting shots is a cardinal sin in Westerns. If you cannot make it realistic, don't make it at all. It's easy to see how I missed this movie when it was originally released. Amazon must be getting desperate if they are digging up stuff like this. Ripping off similar scenes from Clint Eastwood's movies is one thing, but there is no excuse for such a glaring mistake within the first three minutes of a Western.

This movie was more than I expected when I saw it awhile back. It was certainly worth seeing again and I will see it again sometime. It was head and above what other independent productions were which is why I look for the independent productions. Also, I have enjoyed the performances of Matt McCoy.

It appeared to have a budget that shows that people believe on this movie put up the money to show their interest. The acting, writing, and directing were top notch.

It had a nod toward the spaghetti westerns and Tombstone. Not the sashes some of the gun hands wore. The costuming and appearance of the performers was pretty historically accurate. However they went over the line on how the women dressed when they rode out to take care of business. The same was also in Gang of Roses.

There were women in the Old West who had to take care of business and they were not embarrassed to switch their skirts to pants and the attire needed to get the job done.

Well done everyone.

With the help of a Gunfighter three Girls show what "Girlpower" really means. It's a typically Jim Wynorski film and it's a good one. John Terlesky as bad guy Carver dressed in black and with that typical "bad-guy-look" has a few great and memorable appearances. The three beauties Kelly LeBrock, Kimberly Kelley and Rochelle Swanson are really worth to watch. Give this movie a chance. You will not be disappointed.