 "WOW! A tribute to the golden age of westerns." | 2008-09-15 |
| - Reviewed By User: AJNOMS20ZUB4J |
| This is by far one of the top 10 of all western movies. I rank it with The Searchers, Shane, High Noon. A cinematic treat from somber start to the explosive yet tender end. Eat your heart out OK Corral. This is what is missing from so many modern movies. A story that is told without the F word every 5 seconds, no mindless sex, no graphic gore. Just an old fashioned western story about the struggle between right and wrong, good and bad, and the road to redemption. Keep it coming Mr. Costner. |
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| "A 'must have' for your library" | 2008-07-20 |
| - Reviewed By eflapinskas |
| Costner and Duvall do a great acting job with this storyline and have a great supporting cast. If you have to even get it used, get it. It's a great 'modern day' made western of classic proportions. |
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 "Kevin & Co. come up with a winner" | 2008-07-14 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2OFSDJB3MVQ16 |
| After a series of flops, artistically and commercially, Kevin Costner returned to the genre that first brought him success: the Western. The best decision he ever made as director/producer was to highlight Robert Duvall in the lead role since he's one of the few actors who look comfortable in Western garb, the other 2 being Clint Eastwood & Tom Selleck. But it's Duvall's authority and grace which really contribute to making this Western such a success for Costner. Also he skillfully cast such fine actors in supporting roles such as the great Irish/British actor Michael Gambon as the villain and the late Michael Jeter in his last role as an ally of Duvall & Costner. The plot of course is simple yet it really doesn't matter here because Costner, unlike Lawrence Kasdan, takes his time in developing every character in the story so that by the end of the finale after the gunsmoke clears--we really care for all of them. In "Silverado", we get types but here in "Open Range", we get full blooded characters. And of course, even the always excellent Annette Benning has a role worthy of her talents-as a progressive middle aged woman who clearly stands on her own. There is a slight nod in "The Unforgiven"'s direction in Costner's damaged gunfighter but overall when the gunfight occurs--we're really rooting for these two veteran cowpunchers. Duvall said in an interview that of all the character roles he's played none is more comfortable than that of a cowboy--and he certainly he's born in the saddle (he once boasted that he rode better than John Wayne when he was in "True Grit"). This is one Western I'll be looking forward to in Blu-ray!! |
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| "Kevin Co. come up with a winner" | 2008-07-14 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2OFSDJB3MVQ16 |
| After a series of flops, artistically and commercially, Kevin Costner returned to the genre that first brought him success: the Western. The best decision he ever made as director/producer was to highlight Robert Duvall in the lead role since he's one of the few actors who look comfortable in Western garb, the other 2 being Clint Eastwood Tom Selleck. But it's Duvall's authority and grace which really contribute to making this Western such a success for Costner. Also he skillfully cast such fine actors in supporting roles such as the great Irish/British actor Michael Gambon as the villain and the late Michael Jeter in his last role as an ally of Duvall Costner. The plot of course is simple yet it really doesn't matter here because Costner, unlike Lawrence Kasdan, takes his time in developing every character in the story so that by the end of the finale after the gunsmoke clears--we really care for all of them. In "Silverado", we get types but here in "Open Range", we get full blooded characters. And of course, even the always excellent Annette Benning has a role worthy of her talents-as a progressive middle aged woman who clearly stands on her own. There is a slight nod in "The Unforgiven"'s direction in Costner's damaged gunfighter but overall when the gunfight occurs--we're really rooting for these two veteran cowpunchers. Duvall said in an interview that of all the character roles he's played none is more comfortable than that of a cowboy--and he certainly looks like he's born in the saddle (he once boasted that he rode better than John Wayne when he was in "True Grit"). This is one Western I'll be looking forward to in Blu-ray!! |
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| "Open Range Movie" | 2008-06-11 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3QGW9DO2FMX93 |
| My husband and son are big western movie and Robert Duvall fans. I purchased this movie for my son and he has been very happy with it. |
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| "Like good wine..." | 2008-04-26 |
| - Reviewed By harleg3 |
... this great production grows on one with each successive taste. I liked it on the big screen; was surprised how much better it was the second time around via TV; third time was the charm - a new classic had taken its rightful place in my small DVD collection.
It has a different vibe, in some respects, when compared to "Unforgiven" - not quite as raw - but equally intelligent & compelling. A western for those who do not like westerns! |
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| "Western Crescendo" | 2008-03-16 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1YS3I3BIO5M7B |
Ever since Speed (Widescreen Edition), the audience at an action/adventure movie expects to get their adrenaline pumping within the first 180 seconds. Hollywood does this with rapid-fire cuts, pulsing music, a banging soundtrack, and life-threatening scenarios that are usually just a preamble to the real story. (Actually, the credit for heart-throbbing opening action sequences probably belongs to the James Bond series, but Speed found ways to twist the knob to the right.)
Westerns are action/adventure movies, but Open Range is not Silverado. It starts slow and gradually builds to a crashing crescendo. The audience never sees nor hears any guns fired until the climax of the movie--then all hell breaks loose. The intent is to shock the audience with a tardy eruption of violence that puts characters they have learned to care about in mortal danger. (The characters are a combination of stereotypes and singular oddballs.)
Does it work? Yup. It works especially well with a frenetic shootout that has the bad guys blasting away in the general direction of our heroes while they scamper away as fast as they can run. The ensuing gunfight gets nasty, with no quarter given.
Is it worth the wait? I think so. The storyline is a set-up, but the scenery, characters, and the depiction of the fabled Old West lifestyle are just enough to keep your interest until the big payoff.
The Shopkeeper |
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| "Great Movie" | 2008-03-01 |
| - Reviewed By User: AD2R63HOQLNDF |
| This movie, as so many of Kevin Costner's, does not get the recognition it deserves. The actors are wonderful - the scenery fantastic - great one to have if you like both Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall and westerns |
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| "Cnadian setting does not have the look of the old west" | 2008-02-17 |
| - Reviewed By User: A25XOW27TGX4WY |
| Good movie, but looks like it was shot in Oregon, in the woods. The old west is mostly associated with the plains, badlands, desert mountain areas. |
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| "Westerns" | 2008-02-08 |
| - Reviewed By yuebanc |
| This is a great western - simple, direct and honest. The acting and production values were superb, and the story is riviting. I appreciated the portrayal of the two main characters as plain honest men, with realistic faults, but determined to maintain their loyalty and integrity. No insipid "anti-heroes" here. This is the West that really was. |
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