abingdon, Local Online News Community, Forums, Chats, For Sale, Classified, Offers, Film Reviews, Events, Motors Sale, Property For Sale Rent, Jobs, Hotels, Taxi, Restaurants, Pubs, Clubs, Pictures, Sports, Charities, Lost Found
  1. Published on: 08/01/2018 04:53 PMReported by: Film Critic
    Plot: An army captain is ordered to escort a Cheyenne chief to safety through dangerous territory.

    When you hear of the people involved and for there to be no awards buzz for this, you do wonder what could possibly the problem with this film?

    I am always keeping on eye on any project Christian Bale is part of. I think he is a top talent and is definitely one of the most committed actors working today. His method approach to his work can get a bit too serious at time for my liking. But on the whole, he has done some brilliant work in the past.

    Also, the director Scott Cooper has made some good pieces of work such as Crazy Heart. However, his bleak tone to his films can sometimes be a bit tough to be an entertaining watch. That relates to his other films Out Of The Furnace and Black Mass. While they are pretty solid, the re-watchability is very low.

    I must say that there is plenty of content to be praised. It starts off with a pretty threatening set-piece and the beautiful wide landscape certainly transports to that part of the world and in that period of the late 19th century straight away. When you understand what story we're getting ourselves into, I got fairly interested to see how this would turn out. However, the 2hrs 13mins duration does wear the plot quite thin fairly soon as it is a simple story with not much else to it.

    It just about moves along to make it fairly entertaining and you can see trying to cover topical discussions. But they are ones that you have seen already been covered, and with a much stronger execution.

    There weren't any exceptional performances. But they were certainly all pretty solid. Bale was fine. But I don't feel that his characters backstory matched his look and execution of the character.

    I think Rosamund Pike was pretty solid throughout and I liked her character arch in this. However, I think since her jaw-dropping performance in Gone Girl, I think I'll be disappointed in the rest of her work.

    It was great seeing Wes Studi in this. But I would have liked his character to have more development as I remember Studi's work in the 90's really well and I think his character could have played a much more integral role.

    There were some nice surprise minor roles for big stars such as Peter Mullan, Jesse Plemons and Timothee Chalamet. Sadly Mullan felt out of place as you could tell he can't work the American accent and can't completely remove his Scottish one. As for Plemons and Chalamet, they did well with what they had, which wasn't much.

    There was one surprise appearance. But all I'll say is, that there was a '3:10 To Yuma' reunion that takes place halfway through. But I will just tease that moment to not fully spoil the scene entirely.

    The films biggest positive is most certainly the cinematography. There are lots of amazing open-air landscape shots. But what makes it work the most is that this aspect of the film alone transports into this world pretty quickly and not at one point did I feel like I was out of the illusion.

    I also liked it paying homage to many great westerns, particularly The Searchers. It is not often that we see a western, or something close to it. So we must take these films for granted when they get released.

    The stuff I had problems was the dialogue at times, and the duration. I will not be surprised to hear any potential criticism on the dialogue, as a lot it was mumbled in its delivery. You do seem to get that with a lot of films, and I do sympathize with those that has a real pet-peeve about this.

    As for the length of the film, it did not warrant its 2hrs 13mins duration as the simple plot wore thin early on.

    While I was fine with the serious and slow-brooding tone, I just think the execution of the characters and themes just did not become fully-fledged for me to get heavily invested. It's perfectly fine with some entertaining set-pieces. But if I was being cruel, I would not remember that much after leaving the cinema as the duration felt more of a slog to watch.

    I admired the P.C. message that it was trying to give. But I think the execution just did not fully work in my opinion. But I was glad that they were attempting to address that.

    In a nutshell, a lot of it reminded me of some of the directors previous work such as Black Mass and Out Of The Furnace. The depressing and dour tone to it worked at times. But the pacing of it just made it tough to be entertaining and memorable.

    I can see why this is hardly getting any awards buzz, despite the people involved.

    Rating: 7/10
     

  2. Your Comments:



You are in: UK / Abingdon / South East
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Abingdon



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


Film Reviews, Last Cinema Movies, Movies, DVDs
abingdonabingdon News


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
abingdon Bathroom Suppliesabingdon Bathroom Tapsabingdon Bathroom Furnitureabingdon Bathroom Showersabingdon Shower Enclosuresabingdon Bathsabingdon L Shaped Bathabingdon P Shaped Bathabingdon Wet Roomsabingdon Bath Screensabingdon Bath Mixer Tapabingdon Bidet Tapsabingdon Toilet Seatsabingdon Sanitarywareabingdon Combined Toilet Basinabingdon Stovesabingdon Wood Stovesabingdon Home Stovesabingdon Cooker Stovesabingdon Enamel Stovesabingdon Designer Stovesabingdon Contemporary Stovesabingdon Multi Fuel Stovesabingdon Accounts Softwareabingdon Sage Softwareabingdon Sage Line 50abingdon Sage Line 200abingdon Pegasus Accountsabingdon Access Accountsabingdon Car Servicingabingdon MOTgabingdon Tyresabingdon Car Batteryabingdon Exhaustabingdon Journalist Jobsabingdon Reporter Jobsabingdon Writing Jobsabingdon Freelance Writerabingdon Self Employed Jobsabingdon Franchise Businessabingdon Franchise Opportunitiesabingdon Driving Schoolsabingdon Driving Lessonsabingdon Driving Testabingdon Driving Theory Testabingdon Driving Instruction, 0000 abingdon Driving Instructor, 0000 abingdon Insolvencyabingdon Insolvency Serviceabingdon Insolvency Servicesabingdon Liquidation Serviceabingdon Business Recoveryabingdon Insolvency Practitionerabingdon Bankruptcy Serviceabingdon Winding Up Petitionabingdon Business Financeabingdon Business Recoveryabingdon Voluntary Arrangementabingdon Individual Voluntary Arrangementabingdon IVAabingdon Debt Adviceabingdon Debt Managementabingdon Company Administrationabingdon Administrationabingdon Corporate Recoveryabingdon Corporate Voluntary Arrangementabingdon CVAabingdon Corporate Insolvencyabingdon Corporate Liquidationabingdon Members Voluntary Liquidationabingdon MVLabingdon Partnership Voluntary Arrangementabingdon PVAabingdon Tax Demandabingdon Invoice Financeabingdon Bridging Financeabingdon Vouchersabingdon Dealsabingdon Matalanabingdon Firewoodabingdon Fire Woodabingdon Kiln Dried Hardwoodabingdon Logs For Saleabingdon Log Suppliesabingdon Logsabingdon Firewood Logsabingdon Seasoned Logsabingdon Hardwood Logsabingdon Firewood Suppliersabingdon Firewood Log Suppliersabingdon Firewood Dumpy Bagsabingdon Firewood Cratesabingdon Cheap Firewoodabingdon Homefire Logsabingdon Cheap Firewood Logsabingdon Kindle Conesabingdon Pizza Oven Logsabingdon Heating Oilabingdon Home Heating Oilabingdon Red Dieselabingdon White Dieselabingdon Kereseneabingdon Commercial Fuelsabingdon Calor Gasabingdon Propane Gasabingdon Butane Gasabingdon Heating Gasabingdon Horse Trainingabingdon Horse Trainerabingdon Horse Whispererabingdon Equine Whispererabingdon Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithabingdon Rattan Garden Furnitureabingdon Rattan Furnitureabingdon Rattan Sofaabingdon Rattan Dining Setabingdon Rattan Directabingdon Cheap Rattan Furnitureabingdon Rattan Corner Sofasabingdon Rattan Day Bedsabingdon Rattan Sun Loungersabingdon Rattan Cube Setsabingdon Rattan Bistro Setsabingdon Chimeneasabingdon Firepitsabingdon Patio Heatersabingdon Card Payments Processingabingdon Credit Card Processingabingdon Merchant Servicesabingdon Merchant Accountabingdon Merchant Paymentsabingdon Card Machinesabingdon Card Terminalsabingdon Online Paymentsabingdon Worldpayabingdon Bouncy Castlesabingdon Bouncy Castle Hireabingdon Garden Trampolinesabingdon Pramsabingdon Pushchairsabingdon Strollersabingdon Hauck Pramsabingdon Huackabingdon Childrens Trampolinesabingdon Baby Mobilesabingdon Baby Activity Matsabingdon Baby Bedroom Furnitureabingdon Childrens Bedroom Furnitureabingdon Hygiene Vendingabingdon Washroom Vendingabingdon Air Freshenersabingdon Air Careabingdon Aerosol Systemsabingdon Gel Systemsabingdon Water Savingabingdon Urinal Water Savingabingdon Eco Capsabingdon Sensaflushabingdon Water Managementabingdon Urinal Dosingabingdon Urinal V Screensabingdon Legionella Risk Assessmentabingdon Legionaires Bacterialabingdon Odour Controlabingdon Odour Eliminationabingdon Odour Removalabingdon Airsterilabingdon Hand Careabingdon Hand Creamabingdon Hand Soapabingdon Hand Washingabingdon Hand Dryingabingdon Hand Dryersabingdon Electric Hand Dryersabingdon Fast Hand Dryersabingdon Commercial Hand Dryersabingdon Energy Efficient Hand Dryersabingdon Hand Dryer Rentalabingdon Hand Dryer Salesabingdon Paper Towelsabingdon Roller Towelsabingdon Cotton Roller Towelsabingdon Blue Roller Towelsabingdon White Roller Towelsabingdon Janitorial Suppliesabingdon Janitorialabingdon Cleaning Suppliesabingdon Cleaning Productsabingdon Cleaning Equipmentabingdon Office Cleaningabingdon Home Cleaningabingdon Debt Recovery Servicesabingdon Debt Recoveryabingdon Debt Collectionabingdon Outsource Credit Controlabingdon Collection Agencyabingdon Debt Collection Agencyabingdon Commercial Canopyabingdon Steel Canopyabingdon Bike Shedsabingdon Bike Storageabingdon Bicycle Storeabingdon Bicycle Storageabingdon Bikes Storeabingdon Bike Storeabingdon Outdoor Canopyabingdon Cycle Sheltersabingdon Cycle Shedabingdon Cycle Storageabingdon Cycle Rackabingdon Cycle Compoundabingdon Cycle Solutionsabingdon Scooter Storageabingdon Scooter Shelterabingdon Canopiesabingdon Canopyabingdon Play Area Canopyabingdon Entrance Canopiesabingdon Entrance Canopyabingdon Waiting Shelterabingdon Smoking Shelterabingdon Parent Waiting Shelterabingdon Parent Shelterabingdon Teen Shelterabingdon Nursery Canopyabingdon School Canopyabingdon Play Canopyabingdon Envirolawnabingdon Astroturfabingdon Cheap Astroturfabingdon Artificial Grassabingdon Cheap Artificial Grassabingdon Astro Turfabingdon Artificial Lawnabingdon Fake Grassabingdon Fake Lawnabingdon Fire Stove Glassabingdon Heat Resistant Glassabingdon Fire Glassabingdon Stove Glassabingdon Fire Resistant Glassabingdon Replacement Stove Glassabingdon Glass For Stovesabingdon Spill Kitsabingdon Spill Control Kitsabingdon Spill Kit Refillsabingdon Spill Kit Refill GK6abingdon Chemical Spill Kitsabingdon Oil Spill Kitsabingdon Solar Panelsabingdon Solar Panels Costabingdon Solar Heatingabingdon Solar PVabingdon Commercial Solarabingdon Photovoltaicabingdon Dust Matsabingdon Entrance Matsabingdon Reception Matsabingdon Anti Fatigue Matsabingdon Floor Matsabingdon Logo Matsabingdon Washroom Servicesabingdon Principal Washroomsabingdon Washrooms Suppliesabingdon Washrooms Solutionsabingdon Sanitary Disposalabingdon Sanitary Binsabingdon Sani Binsabingdon Lady Binsabingdon Feminine Hygiene Unitsabingdon Sanitary Waste Disposalabingdon Sanitary Wasteabingdon Sanitary Unitsabingdon Feminine Unitsabingdon Hygiene Servicesabingdon Sanitary Bin Supplierabingdon Sanitary Bin Rentalabingdon Sanitary Bin Rental Servicesabingdon General Wasteabingdon Trade Wasteabingdon Commercial Wasteabingdon Business Wasteabingdon Waste Managementabingdon Waste Collectionabingdon Cardboard Wasteabingdon Paper Wasteabingdon Plastic Wasteabingdon Glass Wasteabingdon Biomass Wasteabingdon Metal Wasteabingdon Confidential Wasteabingdon Confidential Waste Serviceabingdon On Site Shreddingabingdon Off Site Shreddingabingdon One Off Shreddingabingdon Contract Shreddingabingdon Dental Wasteabingdon Dental Waste Disposalabingdon Dental Waste Legislationabingdon Dental Waste Complianceabingdon Accupuncture Wasteabingdon Accupuncture Waste Disposalabingdon Accupuncture Waste Collectionabingdon Tattoo Wasteabingdon Tattoo Waste Disposalabingdon Sharps Binabingdon Sharps Collectionabingdon Hazardous Sharpsabingdon Non Hazardous Sharpsabingdon Cytotoxic Sharpsabingdon Cytostatic Sharpsabingdon Ink Blockabingdon Wet_Wasteabingdon Tattoo Inkabingdon Drug Destructionabingdon Drug Disposalabingdon Drug Denaturingabingdon Unwanted Drugsabingdon Out Of Date Drugsabingdon Pest Controlabingdon Rodent Controlabingdon Bird Controlabingdon Bird Proofingabingdon Guano Controlabingdon Pest Call Outabingdon Pest Preventionabingdon Pest Deterrentabingdon Nursery Wasteabingdon Nappy Wasteabingdon Nappy Binabingdon Nappy Disposalabingdon Nappy Wheelie Binabingdon Nursery Waste Disposalabingdon Nursery Waste Collectionabingdon Incontinence Padsabingdon Offensive Wasteabingdon Human Wasteabingdon Nursing Home Wasteabingdon Care Home Wasteabingdon Hazardous Wasteabingdon Infectous Wasteabingdon Pharmaceutical Wasteabingdon Medicinal Wasteabingdon Medicine Wasteabingdon Infection Controlabingdon Hand Sanitisersabingdon Clinical Waste Disposalabingdon Clinical Waste Managementabingdon Clinical Waste Policyabingdon EA Registrationabingdon Hammocksabingdon Garden Hammocksabingdon Adult Hammocksabingdon Childrens Hammocksabingdon Baby Hammocks