An ensemble star-studded cast can more often not that not be a crutch that breaks down the narrative as the director tries to justify each actor's role. But thankfully, director Jeymes Samuel had a screenplay that made his job easier with each of the superstars on show putting in masterful performances.
The film's hero is also ironically Marvel's next big villain, Jonathan Majors, who played Kang the Conqueror in Loki and is set to essay the same role in Ant Man: Quantumania. Majors stars as the outlaw 'Noah Love' who is traversing the Old West to claim retribution from the notorious Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) and his gang for having killed his parents.
Despite using the same old-school Western templates and motifs, it is the performances that stand out with Elba oozing gravitas in every frame he is in as per usual and Majors providing an able foil. Oscar winner Regina King and Oscar nominee Lakeith Steinfeld shine in well-crafted, impactful supporting roles.
Just when you get the feeling that the movie is falling back on old tropes and western-film clichés, the director will throw a spanner into the works and completely catch you off-guard. The action sequences are painstakingly detailed but clearly realism was sacrificed to make room for stylishness.
The fact that the director made his mark as a song writer and producer first is evident from the film's music. Each turn in the storyline and crunch sequence is layered with soulful tracks from artists ranging from Jay-Z and Kid Cudi to Judakiss and Conway The Machine and many more.
A gritty, exhilarating western elevated by a talented, in-form cast, where even the music ends up becomes a protagonist. Recommended!
The film's hero is also ironically Marvel's next big villain, Jonathan Majors, who played Kang the Conqueror in Loki and is set to essay the same role in Ant Man: Quantumania. Majors stars as the outlaw 'Noah Love' who is traversing the Old West to claim retribution from the notorious Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) and his gang for having killed his parents.
Despite using the same old-school Western templates and motifs, it is the performances that stand out with Elba oozing gravitas in every frame he is in as per usual and Majors providing an able foil. Oscar winner Regina King and Oscar nominee Lakeith Steinfeld shine in well-crafted, impactful supporting roles.
Just when you get the feeling that the movie is falling back on old tropes and western-film clichés, the director will throw a spanner into the works and completely catch you off-guard. The action sequences are painstakingly detailed but clearly realism was sacrificed to make room for stylishness.
The fact that the director made his mark as a song writer and producer first is evident from the film's music. Each turn in the storyline and crunch sequence is layered with soulful tracks from artists ranging from Jay-Z and Kid Cudi to Judakiss and Conway The Machine and many more.
A gritty, exhilarating western elevated by a talented, in-form cast, where even the music ends up becomes a protagonist. Recommended!