Movie of the Week: Tombstone

   

    Movie of the Week (3/10/14-3/15/14): Most of us know the legend of Wyatt Earp and how he was a legendary lawmen and that we was never grazed by a single bullet. You probably also know that there have been several movies made about his life. Some you know and some you don't. The two most popular are Wyatt Earp, which had Kevin Costner in the role, and this film here, Tombstone, which had Kurt Russell embracing the role of Wyatt Earp. Now the funny thing is, is that these two films came out in back to back years and were being filmed on different lots right next to each other. Most people like this film more, but that is probably because it is pretty much and action movie where Wyatt Earp is more of a biography and action movie mixed. I like them both, but when it comes to accuracy, neither one is very accurate.
    Tombstone is not a biography film about Wyatt Earp, it is more so just about what happens when the Earp brothers arrive in Tombstone, Arizona. If you want more details on his life, you can watch Wyatt Earp, which is a very good and underrated film. Now, this film here focuses more on the Earp brothers' feud with a group called "The Cowboys," who didn't where red sashes by the way, and how all of the lawlessness leads up to the shootout at the O.K. Corral and afterwards. And, just so we are clear, the shootout didn't actually happen at the O.K. Corral, it happened just down the street in an empty lot, but the name stuck. Also, Virgil and Morgan Earp were not shot just after the shootout. The shootout occurred on October 26, 1881, Virgil was shot on December 28th and Morgan was shot and killed on March 18, 1882.
    However, Kurt Russell plays Wyatt Earp in this movie and he is my favorite actor to play Earp, even over Kevin Costner, because he looks the most like him. He also did a great job, there are several scenes where he displays wonderful emotion and outrage that just fuel the film. Val Kilmer plays Doc Holliday and he too gives us a powerful performance, possibly his best, plus his chemistry with Russell is great. Sam Elliott plays the older Earp brother, Virgil, and does a great job with his commanding deep voice. We have Bill Paxton as Morgan Earp, Powers Boothe as Curly Bill Brocius, Michael Biehn as Johnny Ringo, Stephen Lang as Ike Clanton, Thomas Haden Church as Billy Clanton, Michael Rooker as Sherman McMasters, and even Charlton Heston has a nice cameo. So, as you can see we have a wonderful veteran cast here and I have no complaints.
    What made this film good was that it was written well, though not accurate, but it kept the audience stuck to the screen. It had great mix of drama and action throughout as Wyatt begins to fall for Josephine yet trying to balance it with all of the death happening around him. Although, in real life it was much more spaced out and did not happen as quickly as it did in the movie, but it was done right to keep the audience involved. That was also helped by the the director, George P. Cosmatos, who stepped in at the last minute. I say that because he was known for directing action films, which is why this is more of an action picture with less drama like most westerns have. But, you still like his style a little, even if it might have been a bit much for a film like this at times.
    Nevertheless it was shot very well and looks great throughout, especially during the shootouts. That being said the editing also takes over during the shootouts and was done very well, particularly during the O.K. Corral shootout. We also have a very intense and fast paced score here, which is rare for a western, but it works since the film is more of an action film anyways. Now, this is a good movie and a good western, it is not a great movie or great western, I can think of several off the top of my head that are better. Plus, the several goofs that are clearly visible along with the historical inaccuracies also helps it stay at good movie status instead of higher. But, there are enough high points like the great cast, the well shot shootouts, and good direction, since it is an action movie, that it has enough to keep you drawn in from start to finish.
3/4 Stars