Outlaw Justice (1999)

Surprisingly incoherent and boring

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Released to TV in 1999, "Outlaw Justice" (aka "The Long Kill") is a low-budget Western featuring Kris Kristofferson and Country & Western stars Willie Nelson, Travis Tritt and Waylon Jennings, the latter in a cameo at the beginning who narrates through the rest. These guys play noble outlaw-types who team-up with the son of Jennings' character (Chad Willett) to apprehend -- or, more likely, kill -- the murderer of a former gang member (Sancho Gracia).The plot is reminiscent of "The Wild Bunch," but with likable protagonists rather than the contemptible dirtbags of that classic Western. Unfortunately, "Outlaw Justice" doesn't have the budget of that major release and this is readily apparent in the opening scene. The style of the movie also takes the mythical approach of Spaghetti Westerns and throws in some humor. As such, the tone is part-serious and part-joke, which was hard for me to embrace. In fact, the first couple of times I tried to watch "Outlaw Justice" I quit before reaching the 30 minute mark. However, once you catch a grip it's entertaining enough; the Western sets are good (although the effects are weak) and the stars are charismatic. Nelson may not be the best actor, but he's amiable. Kristofferson stands out with that "cool" Eastwood vibe and the fact that he's intimidating without even saying a word. Unfortunately, with the exception of a cameo by Leonor Watling, this is strictly an all-dude flick.If you're a fan of the stars and their music this is a must. If not, it's a mediocre, but likable, modern TV Western.The film runs 96 minutes and was shot in Almeria, Andalucia, Spain.GRADE: C+

Two aging super-quick gunfighters (Nelson, Kristofferson) re-form their old bunch to revenge the killing of one of the previous members . Spaghetti Western co-production between US-Spain filmed of course in Almeria .¨The long kill¨ also titled ¨Outlaw Justice¨ is an acceptable Spanish/USA co-production with passable writing by Gene Quintano and Imanol Uribe ; displaying a slick direction by William J Corcoran . This exciting Western is packed with noisy action and lots of violence . The movie contains gun-play, action Western , bloody spectacle and fist-fights . Starred by a diverse casting as the good guys are performed by American actors and the bad guys acted by Spanish players as Simon Andreu , Sancho Gracia and Tony Isbert . It's an offbeat , thrilling and uneven Western particularly influenced by Sergio Leone , for that reason it will appeal to Spaghetti aficionados . American-Spanish co-production financed by Enrique Cerezo full of action , exaggerated characters, shootouts and drama . This is a surprisingly low-key Spaghetti Western set in the post-Civil War era in which some washed-out gunslingers (Kris Kristofferson , Willie Nelson) meet up with buddy (Waylon Jennings)'s son (Chad Willett) and join forces with a sheriff named Dalton (Tritt Travis ) and taking on a variety of problems and risks with the aim to get revenge . The gang find numerous complications when the baddies (Sancho Gracia , Tony Isbert) steal a bank and they are accused and detained. But they escape and go to Cottonwood .This entertaining picture contains action Western , riding pursuits , shootouts and bits of campy and refreshing events with turns and twists , though contains a silly ending , including nonsense crossfire among contenders . It's an improbable blending of standard Western , there's a Spaghetti's homage , with pursuits, high body-count and it's fast moving and quite entertaining. An interesting casting formed by Country Western singers and full of American actors as Kristofferson , Nelson , Jonathan Banks along with Spanish players as Simon Andreu , Sancho Gracia , Leonor Watling , May Heatherly , Aldo Sambrell and Marina Saura ; all of them make this oater well worth the watching . Delightful Western in which two aging gunfighters helped by other buddies unite forces in order to avenge the death of their old partner . Using his wits , breaking all the rules and kicking virtually every cliché in the pants realize a killing spree , as they relentlessly rob and murder by means of some spectacular showdowns in operatic style . Amiable but sometimes lumbering Western goes on and on about the same premise , as minutes are superfluous , it has quarter hour of excess , as it packs some moments turn out to be dull and tiring . There is plenty of action and lots of stunts in the movie , guaranteeing shot'em up, fights or stunts every few minutes . The film bears remarkable resemblance to ¨Dollars for the dead (1998)¨ realized at the same time and in similar ink by Gene Quintano with same producer , screenwriter , exteriors and some actors . The musician Jay Gruska composes a nice soundtrack with catching leitmotif and well conducted ; it's full of emotive songs and enjoyable sounds fitting to action. Striking cinematography by Federico Ribes with barren outdoors, dirty landscapes under a glimmer sun, and outdoor sequences shot on Las Tabernas, Almería, Andalucía, Spain .Bill Corcoran's direction is well crafted , here he's more cynical and violent and packs too much action , but especially this moving Western contains broad violence and long shootouts . He is an expert TV director , being his specialty sci-fi genre as ¨Left behind II : tribulation force , Vipers , Rise of gargoyles , Atomic twister ¨ and usual episodes filmmaker of known series as ¨Stargate , Hope island , Mutant x , Kung Fu , McGiver ¨ among others . Rating : 5,5, riotous Western in which there's too action and violence and enough excitement .

File this one under one of the better Westerns you probably never heard of. It pits a pair of good bad guys (Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson), against a bad, bad guy in a tale of retribution and revenge that's full of clichés that play out refreshingly well when doled out by Lee Walker (Nelson) and Jesse Ray Tarence (Kristofferson). It probably helps if you're a fan of the musicians, as the film offers a couple of well placed numbers to move it along; Nelson's tune is particularly effective if you listen to the words carefully.The pair are joined by young Chad Willett, portraying the son of Waylon Jennings' character Tobey, who's murdered in the film's opening scene to set up the story. Holden Bonney (Sancho Gracia) seeks vengeance on all three men for a perceived ill toward him; he's the only one of their former gang who did prison time. All the others opted to join the Confederate Army in exchange for pardon upon completing their service. Failing to break their cohort out of jail, Holden has had years to stew about how to get even.What's not made clear is Holden's alliance with a Mexican colonel (Simon Andru), who he hires to help take out his former partners. It's pretty transparent that the two are not very fond of each other, and it seems a bit overdone for him to need an entire Mexican Army regiment to do a Butch and Sundance on the boys.Waylon Jennings offers the film's narration after his brief appearance, in a diary given to his adopted son Brice by Lee. Brice reads the diary during his ride with the former outlaws, and gains new perspective on their life and the code they live by. One confusing element though, Brice's claim to fame was as "intecollegiate heavyweight boxing champ" - in the 1870's??? You just know he'll come to regret that claim, especially after he falls asleep during his first night watch and the group is robbed. He loses his title rather quickly to Tarence. Brice never learned how to handle a gun, his college training taught him how to be a farmer. So it comes as a surprise when he shoots Holden's gun out of his hand in the final showdown. Backing off, Holden uses a hidden derringer at close range to put down his young opponent. As Holden approaches at arm's length, Brice uses a Bowie knife that Tarence gave him earlier acknowledging his lack of skill with a firearm. As the Mexican soldiers are waved off by their leader, Brice collects his "business associates", and heads into sundown with time to ponder on just who these men are that once rode with his father.

SPOILERS !I rate this 5/10 overall but many scenes need a lot of tightening up, especially long boring scenes of the guys on horseback chatting (talk unnecessary to the plot).Also, the movie would benefit tremendously if Nelson's "singing" were omitted completely. His acting was about average.Best to watch this film while you're doing something else; I got it free with a DVD player in the UK.