Ileana’s Movie Review: Cowboys & Aliens

Starring: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde

Summary: A handsome stranger (Craig) wakes up in the middle of the desert with no memory of what happened or who he is. He is wounded and has a strange metal bracelet attached to his wrist. Seeking medical attention, he makes his way to a small mining town run by acallous businessman named Dolarhyde (Ford). In town he is recognized by the town sheriff asa fugitive named Jake Lonergran. Jake also meets a mysterious woman named Elle (Wilde) who knows something about what happened to him. Before he can make a run for it, the aliens show up and kidnap several townsfolk. The next morning a search party including Jake, Elle, and Dolarhyde set off to rescue their loved ones from the aliens. On his journey, Jake slowly remembers who he is and what happened to him and realizes what he must do to defeat the alien menace once and for all.

I have to admit that I was just a little bit disappointed with this movie. I had such high expectations for it and it didn’t completely deliver. Don’t get me wrong, I thought the cast was great but the storyline was a bit dull. I think what let me down was the whole alien aspect of the film. The creatures themselves were pretty boring in appearance, not to mention that their motive for coming to Earth was beyond ridiculous. In terms of aliens, I would’ve expected better from Ron Howard and Steven Spielberg (who produced the film). The western aspects of the film however, were delightful. Daniel Craig’s tough-guy routine works just as well in a western setting as it does in an international spy thriller. And I must say that after seeing this movie I have come to the conclusion that Daniel Craig should definitely wear leather chaps more often.

Trivia: This is not the first time that Harrison Ford has worked with James Bond. The first time was with Sean Connery in The Last Crusade.

Rated: PG-13 – For intense sequences of western and sci-fi action and violence, some partial nudity, and a brief crude reference.

Grade: B