Cowboys & Aliens (2011)

Thanks for the memories!

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Western movie with a sci-fi twist. But still a 1950s-like B movie. Why did such top actors get involved in this? Made it to last half hour.

I have seen better B movies than this. One wonders if Spielberg was calling in favors from actors. The acting is good but the story is stupid unless you subscribe to Realtruth or discosetv. The story is hilarious and this should be a comedy as I laughed all the way through the movie. To be honest, I am writing this two thirds through movie. It is not science fiction, it is not a western it is a comedy. Sure there is a lot of Hollywood and Spielberg effects but the special effects are hilarious. If you want to watch a serious comedy, this is your movie. If you want to believe Aliens are real this is a parody. In conclusion if you have no mind and no sense of humor do not watch this movie because you will think it could actually have happened. On the light side if you are from California this is a movie that is true.

Spielberg is still Spielberg! A master story tell, and even for a concept that, on the surface, seems just plain out silly, this movie holds one's attention all the way through. Contrasting with High Plains Invaders: it's notch (or so) better camera work, a notch (or so) better acting, and about 3 notches better screenplay. (Story is intricate enough without being overdone, gives a richness that was missing from Invaders.) And of course, several notches higher on budget. That always helps, when you know what to do with it.Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford, of course, deliver wonderful performances. Not Harrison's finest role, but he gives it his usual presence and under-stated power. Daniel Craig... well. He's always playing Daniel Craig, and he does it so very well.

I saw this movie when released for television. Considering the title, I expected to change channels pretty fast. What's more, I'm no fan of Daniel Craig. But, surprisingly, I enjoyed it all the way to the end. Of course, it's all very silly and predictable, but such comments would apply to a whole lot of movies out there. I'm actually more amazed by the critics here about the film. I don't know how such a movie deserve a 400 words or so critique, especially if the conclusion was 0 star. I'm told the writers couldn't come up with a good story, or that the actors were so and so Well, it's not Casablanca for sure, or Gone With The Wind. It's just a movie, entertaining, leave your mind in the lobby style and laugh in the wrong places if you must. Bring in the Aliens, the cowboys and the Indians, six shooters, arrows, lances, ray guns and what not. In my opinion all the superheros movies out there are just as predictable and silly. And for once, for all it's worth, I even enjoyed Daniel Craig this time around.