OPEN RANGE - another classic shootout - SOME SPOILERS!!!

[The Burgomaster]

Sure, go ahead and criticize Kevin Costner all you want.  But OPEN RANGE is a very good western.

I bought the DVD and watched it last night.  While it does have its share of western cliches (the crooked lawman, the evil rancher, the woman who gives a man her locket "for luck"), it also has some top-notch acting by Robert Duvall and one of the best shootouts of all time.

Yes . . . OF ALL TIME.

Costner's use of LOUD gunfire (my subwoofer was working overtime) and tremendous impact when the bullets hit (people don't just fall down, they get blown backward) are key elements in the final LONG shootout.

Bravo, I say.  This may not be one of my 10 favorite westerns (although, it's definitely in the top 20), but the final shootout is probably in the top 3 or 4 of all time.

I wish Costner would make more movies like this.



Post Edited (01-23-04 17:25)

[Scott]

Seen OPEN RANGE one at the theater and am glad I did. That final shootout was something and can't be beat. The story also does it's part and Duval is always good.

Burgomaster if you liked that one you might also like THE MISSING.

Really enjoyed both Western films last year.

[Deej]

I've wanted to see this, but passed it up in favor of Freddy V. Jason and American Wedding(I'm an imbecile). Both of the movies I did buy were okay, but basically rehashes of the previous installments in the respective series'. Guess, I need to practice better reasoning or impulse control. Either way, I think I'm gonna go pick Open Range up. After Scott and Burgo both gave it positive reviews, I can't miss it.

[Scott]

You'll enjoy both of them.

[Deej]

Can't find Open Range anywhere in town now. I found one place that had it on VHS, but the DVD's are all sold out! Should've bought it when I had the chance.

[BoyScoutKevin]

I was fortunate enough to see it, when it was first released to the theater. If you want an authentic western, this is it. Not only for the loud gunfire, which I believe was one of the reasons the editors of "True West" magazine, picked it for being one of the most authentic westerns made, but . . . an archaelogist, who likes to dig around in old Western ghost towns, said many of the objects he dug out of the ground, appeared in the film.

[Brother Ragnarok]

Open Range owned in the theater.  I was really impressed, as I don't even usually like westerns all that much.  There's no better way to make you hate the villains than to have them kill a dog.  Puppy murder angers me.
Although it wasn't really a western, Cold Mountain kicked a lot of ass too.

Brother R