Tombstone
release year: 1993
genre: western
viewing setting: home DVD, 3/9/06 and 1/27/02 (although this movie is a member of my double-digit club, as I've seen it more than ten times)
synopsis: In the small but booming silver town of Tombstone, circa 1880, bandits rule the roost...until Wyatt Earp and company show up to settle down. With this many bad-asses in one place, it's only a matter of time before the shooting starts.
impressions: I recall seeing the preview of this movie, in the theaters in early 1993. I thought, wow, this movie's got everybody! Well, it did, and it also had many great scenes, lines, gunfights, characterizations, and more. This is an awesome movie - whether it is 100% historically accurate or not - and its purpose is to entertain. It works. Few movies have more macho moments and lines, more cool gunfights, or more likeable heroes than this one. I should note that, unlike Wyatt Earp which also came out in 1994, this movie does little to explain the past or the motivations of Wyatt - it's almost entirely focused on his time in Tombstone. Both methods/versions have their advantages, and I recommend watching both movies. That said, this one is better-paced and more entertaining.
things to watch for: Aside from the standoff at the OK Corral, any scene with Doc Holliday is a must-see.
acting: Kurt Russell portrays a strong, direct, confident Wyatt Earp. Val Kilmer is outstanding as the dying yet dangerous Doc Holliday, whose idea of friendship is stronger than most. Sam Elliott is also quite good as Wyatt's older brother, another tough lawman. Powers Boothe is entertainining as the head bad guy, while Michael Biehn is serious as the deadly right-hand-man bad guy. Dana Delany plays the woman who ends up being the love of Wyatt's life. Billy Zane plays a flamboyant stage actor who tries to bring some culture to the old West.
final word: Mandatory western viewing. If you don't enjoy this movie on some level, there is something wrong with you.
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