Mixing western and sci-fi is a new and refreshing concept and while some of the acting may be average, the idea works and is great family fun. From the opening sequence until the rolling credits the viewer is taken to unchartered territory. Breathtaking scenes of the southwest comingled with the creepiest best aliens to date make this movie a must see.
Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig) is found wandering the desert with no memory of who he is. True western fans are treated with a brief appearance by Buck Taylor (Wes Claiborne) of Bonanza and Wagon Train fame. When Lonergan makes it to Absolution, the town largely run by Dolarhyde (Ford) he is not welcome, nor do his actions win him any new friends. Our aliens appear in short order causing chaos and confusion while lassoing townspeople including the Sheriff and the saloon owners wife and carrying them off to parts unknown, for now. Lonergan realizes during the attack that he has very personal knowledge of these unknown beings as his memories start to return. Olivia Wilde, our cross between Miss Kitty and Sigourney Weaver, plays a beautiful yet odd stalker to Lonergan. She knows he can help her stop these creatures from doing any more harm. After the attack ends a posse is formed to rescue the townspeople taken by the aliens.
The quest to reach to the townspeople, the growing chemistry between Longergan and Ella, in addition to Dolarhyde and Nat Colorado gives the viewer several emotional scenes. Sam Rockwell as Doc attempting to learn how to fire a gun as they pursue the aliens shows us yet again that Rockwell can steal any scene he is in regardless of the size of his part, ex: Galaxy Quest.
Another attack on the posse will give most teenage boys and quite a few men one of their favorite two scenes in the movie…Olivia Wilde in a soaking wet Little House on the Prairie Dress. Who knew?
The only complaint I had with the movie was the fact that Harrison Ford played yet another grumpy, grizzled, gruff talking character, like all the other parts he has played, leaving us to wonder if he’s really acting or if that’s just who he is. Poor Callista!
As a whole the movie provides a touch of every movie genre possible…action, adventure, drama, comedy, romance and horror. A definite must see if you are a movie lover.
