Cowboys & Aliens

As an old fashion western, Cowboys & Aliens does a good job of having tough men, and every cliche that comes with it. As a Sci-Fi movie, however, it just does not make any sense, especially the plot twist that comes half way through the movie. The premise of a alien threat during the American wild west is an incredible idea, that I cannot believe there are not more movies like it. I would of love to see John Wayne or Clint Eastwood kicking E.T. butt.

The western plot line felt familiar, a criminal looking for redemption, a tough Civil War General with a heart of gold, and of coarse men of all ages trying to prove themselves. Daniel Craig face alone pulls off the “don’t mess with me” attitude that every Cowboy hero has, he doesn’t say much, doesn’t smile a lot, and diffidently knows how to kick butt. Harrison Ford makes you fear and like him at the same time, he has the one emotion through out the film, but that is enough to tell his character. Olivia Wilde hold her own, but other than the part where she knock Daniel Craig’s character out in the trailer, she really just plays a damsel in distress, needed more toughness to her, to give more impact to what eventually happens. Also, poor Adam Beach, he like the next Wes Studi, playing every Native American part.

The sci-fi portion just never really worked for me, especially the aliens, is it really that impossible not to make the Aliens look like generic monsters, with big teeth? These beings travel light years in an intergalactic vessel, and yet they do not wear any advance protective gear, run around on all fours, and snarling like wild animals. The showdown between the cowboys and aliens just felt impossible, how can anyone think the cowboys could win? I guess the aliens were just too stupid. I am probably thinking too much into a summer movie, but a sci-fi movie needs better aliens in it, they should be intelligent, terrifying but not just because they’re big and nasty, but also diabolical in their plans, other than the one we go in this movie, there alien gold farmers.

Cowboys & Aliens is an alright movie, good for a rent, I like the actors in this movie a lot, but the aliens and plot need so much more work. They could of replace the aliens with werewolves, no difference to the plot, other than the few moments of flying ships. Go see it if you are into western movies, not if your a sci-fi junkie.