Well, I guess either people are being overly negative about the film or entering a movie with low expectations really is the best way to go. AMWTDITW (as it shall be abbreviated since the title is too damn long!) centers around Albert Stark (Seth MacFarlane), a sheep farmer who plainly isn't fitted for the wild, wild West. After his girlfriend (Amanda Seyfriend) breaks up with him and the days of desperation and failure in getting her back, Albert really, really seeks to leave for San Francisco and live a calmer life. However, he chooses to put those plans behind for a little longer when he meets a gorgeous newcomer to the town (Charlize Theron) and from there on, all hell breaks loose as the protagonist is forced into the standard character-developing arc.
After all the brutal criticism I've heard of this picture, I have to honestly disagree with some major aspects. Seth MacFarlane's performance is actually completely fine, and aside from his over- exaggerated reactions to violence, he effectively blends in with the overwhelmingly exceptional cast (featuring the likes of Liam Neeson, Charlize Theron, Sarah Silverman, Neil Patrick Harris, Amanda Seyfriend, and Giovanni Ribisi). His character (Albert Stark) is very intriguing—a man, as I've already mentioned, who blatantly hates his environment and doesn't belong in the midst of all the obnoxiousness that permeates it. He's not the big, tough gunslinger/killer that most men out on the frontier seem to be. Never does he try to appear brave and audacious, instead hiding behind the crowd at the sign of any imposing situation. It's seriously refreshing; the film doesn't possess that formulaic, predictable plot where the protagonist of the tale suddenly turns into a valiant victor by its end. Moreover, Liam Neeson shines as the menacing villain of the narrative, and it was quite smart to cast Liam "I will find you and I will kill you" Neeson in this role since you understand just how intimidating and badass the guy is as soon as pops up on-screen —no need to prove it even though he does several times.
Now—look—the premise, alone, is undoubtedly unique. I admittedly liked the film better than Ted, which I was fairly disappointed with after hearing the endless praise. Whereas Ted primarily relied on tired and outdated pop culture references, there was a bit more diversity in the humor here. Yes, you do get your customary potty humor within (plentiful of poop and fart jokes; I must say though that I cracked up at one in particular due to its sheer vulgarity and severity), but you surprisingly also get some clever ones every once in a while with MacFarlane's usual snarky humor. The western-comedy never truly reaches laugh-out-loud territory, but I already knew not to expect much after witnessing MacFarlane's directorial debut, Ted.
In addition, we should, at least, applaud Seth and the studio for being daring and artistic enough to produce a western (which we all know isn't exactly the most successful genre in Hollywood nowadays) in original fashion. Thanks to its concept (as the title very clearly explains—the unexpected violence and death never ends), the film remained largely entertaining throughout, no matter the amount of flat jokes.
With that being said, the movie does feel a little on the longer side with a certain prolonged, totally random sequence towards the end that felt almost unnecessary—a segment so extravagant that it gives you the impression it was solely made as an excuse to showcase all the CGI action and wildness that wouldn't have made sense in the story itself. Don't worry; you'll know when you see it. On another note, there was a fair share of cringe-worthily corny moments that were fortunately shaded by some clever maneuvers in the script, ultimately surprising me with a witty punch line. All in all, AMWTDITW amounts to a fun night out. Even if you're not blown away by its jokes, there's still plenty to enjoy, including a fair share of hilarious cameos that should not be spoiled (and yes, they're used to better effect in comparison to Ted's).
After all the brutal criticism I've heard of this picture, I have to honestly disagree with some major aspects. Seth MacFarlane's performance is actually completely fine, and aside from his over- exaggerated reactions to violence, he effectively blends in with the overwhelmingly exceptional cast (featuring the likes of Liam Neeson, Charlize Theron, Sarah Silverman, Neil Patrick Harris, Amanda Seyfriend, and Giovanni Ribisi). His character (Albert Stark) is very intriguing—a man, as I've already mentioned, who blatantly hates his environment and doesn't belong in the midst of all the obnoxiousness that permeates it. He's not the big, tough gunslinger/killer that most men out on the frontier seem to be. Never does he try to appear brave and audacious, instead hiding behind the crowd at the sign of any imposing situation. It's seriously refreshing; the film doesn't possess that formulaic, predictable plot where the protagonist of the tale suddenly turns into a valiant victor by its end. Moreover, Liam Neeson shines as the menacing villain of the narrative, and it was quite smart to cast Liam "I will find you and I will kill you" Neeson in this role since you understand just how intimidating and badass the guy is as soon as pops up on-screen —no need to prove it even though he does several times.
Now—look—the premise, alone, is undoubtedly unique. I admittedly liked the film better than Ted, which I was fairly disappointed with after hearing the endless praise. Whereas Ted primarily relied on tired and outdated pop culture references, there was a bit more diversity in the humor here. Yes, you do get your customary potty humor within (plentiful of poop and fart jokes; I must say though that I cracked up at one in particular due to its sheer vulgarity and severity), but you surprisingly also get some clever ones every once in a while with MacFarlane's usual snarky humor. The western-comedy never truly reaches laugh-out-loud territory, but I already knew not to expect much after witnessing MacFarlane's directorial debut, Ted.
In addition, we should, at least, applaud Seth and the studio for being daring and artistic enough to produce a western (which we all know isn't exactly the most successful genre in Hollywood nowadays) in original fashion. Thanks to its concept (as the title very clearly explains—the unexpected violence and death never ends), the film remained largely entertaining throughout, no matter the amount of flat jokes.
With that being said, the movie does feel a little on the longer side with a certain prolonged, totally random sequence towards the end that felt almost unnecessary—a segment so extravagant that it gives you the impression it was solely made as an excuse to showcase all the CGI action and wildness that wouldn't have made sense in the story itself. Don't worry; you'll know when you see it. On another note, there was a fair share of cringe-worthily corny moments that were fortunately shaded by some clever maneuvers in the script, ultimately surprising me with a witty punch line. All in all, AMWTDITW amounts to a fun night out. Even if you're not blown away by its jokes, there's still plenty to enjoy, including a fair share of hilarious cameos that should not be spoiled (and yes, they're used to better effect in comparison to Ted's).